The Approaching Festival Of The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

that the numbers to be elected on the two Funds will not be known till just as the poll is about to be opened . But there is no reason to suppose that the proportion of vacancies to candidates will be either more or less favourable than it has been of

recent years . At all events , we shall not be far out in out reckoning if we assume that , including the three elected on each Fund to deferred annuities , between 30 and 40 out of the 115 candidates will succeed in winning annuities , and that the

remainder , to the number of between 70 and So , will have to remain out in the cold , enduring with such patience and fortitude as they may be able to command , that povert y from which it is proved , by the fact of their being candidates , that they arc

suffering . Were the circumstances of the moment unusuall y promising , we mi g ht hope for such a Return of Donations and Subscriptions as would justif y the Committee in recommending the creation of a few additional annuities . Unfortunatel y

we arc in the thick of a grave political crisis , and at such a time people are apt to draw their purse strings more ti ghtl y together . Moreover , it was onl y in May last that the Annuities on the Male Fund were increased from I 95 to 200 , while the difficulty

of raising the sum now required annuall y is enough without adding to the labour and responsibilities of the Committee . It is impossible for them to go on creating fresh annuities ever ) - year , or even at intervals of every three or four years ; and therefore ,

save under such splendid conditions as we dare not hope to see realised , there is , we fear , but little likelihood that more than the 30 or 40 we have before mentioned will be elected . But this is a matter that may be allowed to stand over till the Festival has

been held . In the meantime , we appeal most earnestl y to our readers to g ive such assistance as they are able to afford towards swelling the general total which it will be Bro . TERRY ' duty to announce on the eventful 26 th February next ensuing .

Thus will they gladden the hearts of the distinguished brother who has consented to preside as Chairman ; of the ladies and brethren who support him as Stewards ; and of all who are interested in seeing the prosperity maintained from year to year of this most valuable Masonic Institution .

Consecration Of The National Artillery Lodge, No. 2578.

CONSECRATION OF THE NATIONAL ARTILLERY LODGE , No . 2578 .

Another important addition to the roll of English lodges was made on Wednesday evening , when the National Artillery Lodge was formally consecrated at the Criterion , Regent-circus , by Bro . Edward Letchworth , F . S . A ., Grand Secretary . To do honour to the occasion a large and distinguished company assembled , and the proceedings throughout were most attentively regarded .

Among the brethren present were—Bros . H . Thompson Trojon , 178 9 ; W . Thompson , 1297 ; H- W . Schartau , 1549 ; John Bartlett , 2030 ; G . VV . H . Morland , 945 ; G . T . P . Townsend , 270 ; Samuel Morris , 1668 ; William Carless , 1842 , P . P . G . R . Sussex ; R . W . Murdoch , S . D . 17 8 9 ; Stanley L . Powell , 2403 ; Archibald Corney , I . P . M .

1842 ; Richard W . Philpott , P . M . 1208 , P . P . A . G . P . ; W . Jarvis , P . M . 1789 , P . P . J . G . D . ; John Simpson , 77 ; W . Shackleton , S . W . 178 9 ; T . Burne , P . PS . G . D . Sussex ; James Stephens , P . P . S . G . D . Bucks ; A . G . Hansard , P . M . 1789 ; John W . Martin , P . M . 414 , Prov . G . Sec . Berks ; P . J . Taylor , P . M . 144 , 1922 ; J . W . Chapman , P . M ., Sec . 1922 ; J . Lawrence , 1010 ; A . E . Roberts ,

W . M . 1261 ; C . W . Inchice , 2 ; W . Michell Clarke , 1048 ; W . J . Ward , 1823 , P . P . G . S . Suffolk ; W . E . Wailes , W . M . 404 ; Edward W . Postans , W . M . 2484 , acting P . M . 34 ; H . Massey , 160 , P . M . 6 ig and 1928 ; H . Sadler , G . Tyler ; j . Lewis Thomas , P . A . G . D . C . ; Charles Belton , P . D . G . D . C . ; C . Hammerton , P . G . S . B . ; Frank Lloyd Palmer , 2054 ; Lennox Napier , Alfred Probyn , 172 ; R , Eve , P . G . Treas . ; John D . Irvine , 1928 ; Thomas Tuffy , P . M . 1718 and 246 ( 0 ;

Arthur Appleby , P . M . 1706 ; W . Bradford , I . G . 2168 ; Dr . Clement Godson , P . G . D . ; H . Conyngham , W . M . 1718 ; Major-Gen . Gadsden , P . M . 1 ; W Lawson , P . M . 700 ; J . T . Morland , P . G . D ., D . P . G . M . Berks ; W . M . Stile ? , G . Treas . ; Robert G . Hall , P . M . 24 S 4 , P . G . Stwd . ; H . E . de Pinna , P . M . ' 973 ; F- L . Keyser , W . M . elect 2 , G . Stwd . ; C . Walker , P . M . 1174 ; George Spinks , P . M . 28 99 ; J . Sanderson , P . M . 700 ; H . W . Chamberlin , W . M . 17 8 9 ; and H . Turner , P . M . 1608 .

Bro . Letchworth was assisted in the performance of the ceremonies by Bros . Major-General J . C . Hay , C . B ., P . G . D ., as S . W . ; Colonel John Davis , A . D . C ., P . D . G . D . C ., as J . W . ; the Rev . J . Studholme Brownrigg , M . A ., P . G . Chap ., as Chaplain ; Frank Richardson , P . G . D ., as D . C . ; and Major-General F . Gadsden , P . G . S . B ., as I . G . The musical arrangements were conducted by Bro . Herbert Schartau , P . P . G . Organist Middlesex .

In opening the proceedings , Bro . LETCHWORTH said he was thereby the command of tie M . W . G . M ,, H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , and as his himble repiesentative , for the purpose of performing a very interesting , but at the same time a very solemn , ceremony—the constitution o ! a new lodge

Consecration Of The National Artillery Lodge, No. 2578.

and its dedication to the service of Almighty God , and he could only hope that that lodge they were about to start into existence might be the means not only of advancing the bst interests of the Masonic Order , but , if

possible , of uniting more closely those who were associated together in the very distinguished branch of her Majesty ' s Regular Army to which many of the brethren present belonged . That it might have before it a career of great prosperity was , he felt sure , the earnest wish of all present .

the Rev . J . STUDHOLME BROWNRIGG , Chaplain , after the introductory proceedings delivered the following pertinent , although brief , oration : — There never was a moment in English history when , more than now , opportunity was offered for the display of many of the great principles upon which our Order is founded . Standing aloof as we do in this country from that political bias

which in so many foreign countries prevents our Order from being a power for good , and sometimes even makes it a power for evil . We , the Freemasons of England , are able , in a moment of crisis—without parade—without demonstration —even without any public and official pronouncement of our leaders—so to leaven the whole tone of public opinion , as to make a sensible impression

upon the policy of the country . What are specially the Masonic principles which are now specially needed . First — Loyalty , Something more than mere evanescent sentiment , which indulges in empty words which cost nothing—but the quiet realisrtion of the fact that from all some sacrifice is needed to maintain and strengthen the solidity of the Empire—sacrifice of money ,

sacrifice of time , sacrifice of self . Secondly—Obedience . Something more thin the mere acquiescence in our laws which self-interest demands , but the implicit surrender of one's own will and opinions , in order that there may be a unity of purpose and a concentration of strength . Thirdly—Discipline . Something more than perfect ordering of our forces for a Queen ' s Birthday Parade—but the

acquired habit of mind and body which at all times , and under all circumstances , when joined with Loyalty and Obedience , is the power which has made England what it is . Brethren , as soldiers and as Masons , let us in this lodge cultivate those Masonic virtues . It is not our business to speculate idly as to what is before us

in either capacity . We know neither the time , nor the continent , nor the hemisphere when and where our Queen will need our services—suffice it to resolve that when wanted they will be given with Loyalty , Discipline , and Obedience . We boast not beforehand what the issue will be . The issue will be what God

willsit is not even our business to consider it , but only to do the work which He sets in the strength which He supplies . The lodge was afterwards formally consecrated and constituted , and B .-o . Lieut .-Col . James Tasker Ritchie , R . A ., was installed by Bro . Letchworth as first W . M . of the lodge .

The other brethren constituting the officers of the lodge for the year were Bros . Field-Marshal the Right Hon . Lord Roberts , S . G . W ., acting I . P . M . ; Capt . William Alexander Weston , P . P . S . G . D . Kent , S . W . ; Major Harry Vane-Stow , J . W . ; Col . H . M . Hosier , Treas . ; Lieut . J . G . W . James , P . G . Std . Br . Berks , Sec ; Capt . W . Nicholls , S . D . ; Capt . H . Turner ,

J . D . ; Capt . H . C . Wilson , D . C ; Major H . B . Lewis-Birned , Org . ; the Right Hon . the Eirl of Stradbroke , I . G . ; Lieut .-Coi . W . B . Murley , Stwd . ; and H . Warren , Tyler . Before the lodge was closed , Bro . Col . BOXALL proposed , and Bro . Col .

HOZIER , Treas ., seconded , that the Consecrating Officers be elected hon . members of the lodge , and the motion having been unanimously carried , Bro . LETCHWORTH , G . Sec , acknowledged the compliment on behalf of himself and his assistants . Bro . Letchworth was afterwards presented with a founder ' s jewel .

The lodge was then closed , and the brethren adjourned to a choice banquet , and subsequently honoured the usual toasts . AH the speeches were short and to the purpose , and they were brilliantly

delivered . The music with which they were interspersed was of a superior order , and was performed , under the direction of Bro . Herbert Schartau , by that brother and Bros . John Bartlett , Arthur Appleby , William Bradford , and Miss Ricke .

Bro . E . LBTCrnvoRTir , G . Sec , in proposing " The Worshipful Master , " said that as Consecrating Officer , it was his privilege , which he valued much , to propose what was really the toast of the evening . He asked the brethren to join with him in drinking the health of their W . M ., whom he had the very great pleasure ' and privilege of installing in the chair of the

National Artillery Lodge that evening . In the presence of the members of the lodge , he felt it was unnecessary to say much or anything at all in regard to Col . Ritchie . Many of the breihren were connected with the Ubique Lodge , in which he was so great a power , and which he ( Bro , Letchworth ) believed owed its existence mainly to him . He most heartily congratulated

the members of this National Artillery Lodge on having as their first W . M . in this the most critical period of its existence , one so able to guide them as Col . Ritchie . He felt convinced that under his genial and able rule the lodge would be a very great success , and that it would have before it a grand career .

Bro . Lieut .-Col . RITCHIE , W . M ., in acknowledging the toast , said : To say that I thank you is but a small matter . I feel that I stand tonight in a very proud position — that of being first Master of the National Artillery Lodge . And when I say NatLnal I mean national in every sense , because this movement , apart from the

constitutional course of ithe militia , which gave such an impetus to our military life 3 6 years , which is one of the grandest movements that have marked the military history of the present century , it has been with us a force of citizen soldiers , that in ( he time of need I am sure will be

unconquerable and uncorqucrtd , not altogether from the military lodges or the military genius they possess , but from the fact of their being Englishmen . I think that this feeling just at this stage of our history has been , perhaps , more marked than at any time during the century . Originally our past has called forth such a nation full of war sentiment that it is a