The Approaching Elections Of The R.M. Benevolent Institution.

votes from five previous applications ; No . 27 , with 31 votesjn hand , who is now about making a third attempt ; No . 45 , with 147 votes from last year ; Nos . 49 , 50 , and 53 , with lesser credits brought forward ; ancl No . 73 , a new candidate . Devonshire sends up eight candidates , No . 13 , with 121 votes ; No . 15 ,

with 170 votes ; No . 18 , with 29 votes ; No . 33 , with 59 votes ; Nos . 34 and 59 ; No . 61 , with 1132 votes ; and No . 80 , a new case . Essex ancl Hampshire and the Isle of Wight each send up three candidates , the forriier being responsible for No . 20 , who has 078 votes brought forward from the 1888 ancl 188 9 elections ;

No . 57 , with 182 votes from last year ; and No . 81 , a new candidate ; while the latter sends up No . 4 , with 325 votes , who has made seven previous attempts ; No . 8 , with 1 x 98 votes from five elections ; and No . 31 , who has 73 votes brought forward from 1888 and 1889 . Two candidates hail from Lincolnshire , East Lancashire ,

Cornwall , West Yorkshire , and from Durham and Northumberland , No . 1 , with 455 votes from nine previous elections , and No . 55 , being from Lincolnshire ; No . 7 , with 125 votes , and No . 68 from East Lancashire ; Nos . 17 and 6 3 , from Cornwall ; Nos . 42 ancl 60 , from West Yorkshire ; and Nos . 14 and 72 , with

claims upon Durham ancl Northumberland . As regards the remainino * cases they come from Cumberland and Westmorland ( No . 6 ) , Bristol ( No . 22 ) , West Lancashire and Kent ( No . 24 , with 2347 votes inhand ) , Durham ( No . 29 ) , Warwickshire ( No .

32 ) , Dorsetshire ancl North and East Yorkshire ( No . 3 8 ) , Staffordshire ( No . 39 ) , South Wales , West Division ( No . 51 ) , Suffolk ( No . 58 ) , Turkey ( No . 62 ) , Dorsetshire ( No . 69 ) , Norfolk ( No . 77 ) , Oxfordshire ( No . 7 8 ) , Gloucestershire ( No . 82 ) , and Wiltshire ( No . 84 ) .

Here then we have 8 3 candidates for 10 vacancies , and , as in the case of the Male Fund , we trust that efforts will be made to secure the success of some of the widows who have been waiting and hoping for success for four years , and upwards .

Masonic Orations.

MASONIC ORATIONS .

Bro . Chapman has just rendered an important service to Masonry , having collected and published , in an interesting and very useful work , the Masonic Orations delivered by Bro . L . P . Metham , P . G . D ., on various occasions , such as the consecration of a lodge , installation of ofiicers , jubilee celebration , & c .

This work , beautifully bound , and unique of its kind , is well worthy of attention , the first edition being already almost exhausted . In his preface , the editor states that the idea suggested itself to him to publish these Orations , not only because they would be

appreciated by the brethren who may have had the pleasure of hearing the distinguished orator , but that they would also form a valuable addition to Masonic literature , becoming an important finger-post to the brethren to guide them safely in the ancient landmarks of the Order , and so help to unfold the spirit of true Frcemasonrv .

The editor considers these Orations indicate how much the orator loved the Fraternity , for , whilst he gave a judicious counsel , he pointed out the dangers ancl difficulties that accompany those un-Masonic elements that sometimes intrude themselves into our Institution . He also mentions the vicissitudes

through which the Order has passed , and especially urges upon the rulers of the Craft the desirability of preventing the admission of candidates who are unworthy of the Masonic Temple .

The introduction has been written by the gifted Masonic Historian , Bro . W . J . Hughan , P . S . G . D . England , & c , and , in addition to the biography of Dr . Metham , it contains a clear and

succinct history ot I" reemasonry in the Provinces of Devon and Cornwall . Until now it has never been possible to obtain a condensed history of these provinces , ancl therefore this contribution considerably increases the value of this work .

On reading the Orations , the hrst thing we notice is the clearness and beauty of fhe eloquent expressions , and also the sublime thoughts which have animated the orator . The first oration shows us the just ancl upright Mason , led by

prudence , chastened by temperance , aided by fortitude , and guided by justice , exercising Charity—the greatest of all virtues —not merely the Charity of Relief , but Charity which comforts an J supports those afflicted or distressed whether in mind , body , or estate .

In other orations Dr . Metham shows the objects of Masonry and its fundamental principles . He says that every good Mason ought to be diligent , cultivating and studying the talents with which he has been endowed by the Great Architect of the

Universe . He likewise suggests that Freemasonry desires the emancipation of mankind from ignorance and error , and that Masonry has resolved to make of humanity one sole family , and so form a universal brotherhood . Such is the work to which

Masonic Orations.

every Mason is obliged to add a stone to make that perfect temple . Finally , vve do not hesitate a moment in stating that the circulation ot this work of Bro . Chapman ' s will have very beneficial effects upon the Craft , and we therefore recommend it to all those

brethren who appreciate and love our Order . We trust that its illustrious editor will meet with the greatest success in its sale , and we have the more pleasure in wishing this , when we see that Bro . Chapman , with laudable generosity , has promised to

give the whole of the profits to the " Royal British Female Orphan Asylum , " of which institution Bro . Metham has been honorary Secretary for more than 50 years . ( Bro . Eduardo Contreras , in "Cadiz Masonico " —Translated )

Consecration Of The Duke Of Fife Lodge, No. 2345.

CONSECRATION OF THE DUKE OF FIFE LODGE , No . 2345 .

On Monday last this new lodge vvas consecrated at the Alexandra Hotel , Clapham Common , by Bro . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Grand Sec . The brethren present on the occasion were Bros . Frank Richardson , P . G . D . ; J . H . Matthews P . G . Std . Br . ; Col . James Peters , P . G . D . ; J . L . Mather , P . A . G . D . C ; D . P . Cama , P . G . Treas . ; Richard Eve , P . G . Treas . ; Rev . R . J . Simpson , P . G . Chap . ; C . F . Hogard , P . G . Std . Br . ; A . Pendlebury , A . G . Sec ; Geo ' . Everett , P . M . ; S . Cochrane , P . M . ; W . W . Westley , P . M . ; Hy . Lynn , P . M . ;

Dr . F . Taylor Simpson , 2024 ; C . Reeves , 902 ; J . Balcombe , 975 ; E . J . Beli , 1319 ; Sexton , 1321 ; H . Wright , W . M . 1928 ; J . Wyer , P . M . 1314 , P . P . G . D . C . Kent ; F . Cozens , 907 ; Caink , P . M . 1056 ; R . C . Davies , S . W . 2266 ; L . King , 2190 ; R . La Feuillade , P . M . 1381 , 2348 ; Kerry , P . M . 196 3 ] H . Sadler , G . Tyler ; J . Webber , Sandgate Lodge ; H . Massey , P . M . 619 , 1928 ; J . Lyell , J . Gilbert , A . Robertson , R . Steele , T . Morris , J . Andrews , Rev . Baker , J . W . Folkard , H . Mitchell , E . Daoust , C . Woods , J . Mitchell , C . J . F . Shannaw , A . Harvey , S . Rashleigh , C . H . Merrett , E . Beaven , J . Langdon , and G . Winny .

Bros . J . H . Matthews acted as S . W . ; Col . Peters , as J . W . ; Frank Richardson , as D . C . ; the Rev . R . J . Simpson , as Chap . ; and J . L . Mather , as I . G . After a lodge had been opened in the Three Degrees , Bro . Col . S HADWELL H . CLERKE , in opening the proceedings , said the occasion on which they vvere met that day vvas one of those vvhich were always interesting , and certainly always most important among the various Masonic proceedings

in vvhich they vvere from time to time engaged , viz ., that of consecrating and constituting a new lodge under the Grand Lodge of England . There were now a very large number of lodges in London , and , therefore , it vvas no easy matter in the present day to give reasons good and sufficient to satisfy the M . W . G . M . for granting a warrant for a new lodge . In that case he vvas glad to say the founders had made out a sufficient case , and , therefore , his Royal Hi ghness the M . W . G . M .

had been pleased to accede to the request of the brethren and to grant their request , and , as a result , the brethren vvere assembled that day to consecrate and constitute the new lodge at the Alexandra Hotel . It happened that 11 years ago there was a lodge held in that very house , but there were reasons vvhich it vvas not now necessary to go into that led to the removal of the lodge , and it now met elsewhere in London . There vvere a large number of brethren living in tho locality

of Clapham who wished to get up a local lodge , and they found there was no local lodge in the district , and they presented a petition . They had found a very zealous Mason in the Craft to preside over them , and he vvas sure the lodge would be a success , as the whole of the founders were good working Masons . He would repeat what he had often said at consecrations , and what mi ght appear stale , that

the brethren would be careful whom they admitted , and that it was far more important that their members should be good men than that the number of members should be large . It was very easy to get a man into a lodge , but very difficult to get him out . If a member proved himself undesirable , the lodge might find itself in a dilemma . He , therefore , hoped that they would carefull y inquire into the antecedents of candidates before submitting- them to the ballot .

After this preliminary address , the opening portion of the ceremony of consecration and dedication were performed , and Col . SHADWELL CLERKE called upon the Rev . R . J . SIMPSON , P . G . C , for the oration . The various details of consecration vvere afterwards executed , the musical portion being rendered by Bros . E . J . Bell , W . Sexton , and Lovett King , under the direction of Bro . Fred . H . Cozens . Bro . S . Cochrane , P . M . 1056 , and I . P . M . 3 , vvas

then installed W . M ., and the following brethren vvere invested as his officers : — Bros . George Everett , as I . P . M . ; W . W . Westley , P . M . 186 , and W . M . 1381 , S . W . ; | . VV . Folkard , J . W . 196 3 ; R . Steele , S . W . 172 Treasurer protein . ; Charlie Woods , 1869 , Secretary ; J . Andrews , J . W . 1986 , S . D . ; A . Harvey , S . D . 1963 , J . D . ; E . Beaven , J . W . 1963 , I . G . ; J . Langdon , 159 8 , Stwd . ; and G Winny . Org . 1963 , Organist .

Bro . Col , SHADWELL H . CLERKE afterwards delivered theaddress , andsubsequently all the Consecrating Officers vvere elected honorary members of the lodge . The names of four candidates for initiation vvere proposed and seconded , and along list of candidates for joining was read by the Secretary , and the lodge was then closed , and adjourned till next Monday . One of the choicest of banquets followed , and the toasts customary at consecrations were proposed and honoured .

The W . M ., in proposing " The Queen and the Craft , " said the health of Her Majesty was always drunk tirst whenever Freemasons met , and wherever Englishmen met . It was always honoured , and none the less b y Freemasons than others of her Majesty ' s subjects . Long might the Queen live .

The W . M ., in g iving the toastof " H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , M . W . G . M ., " vvhich vvas met vvith cheers , said the mention of H . R . H . ' s name vvas quite enough for it to be met vvith a round of applause . His Royal Highness was a prince among Masons , and by his Grand Mastership he had elevated the Craft above any other institution in the world .

Bro . GEORGK EVERETT , in proposing the toast of "The Earl of Carnarvon , Pro G .. \ L , the Earl of Lathom , D . G . M ., and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " said he vvas deeply sensible of the honour , and he was very glad to avail himself of the privilege it afforded him , because the toast was a highly popular and a time-honoured one , and , in addition , it needed no recommendation

at the hands of its proposer . It also brought vvith it a special fitness and significance that evening on account of the great and active part the Grand Officers had had to perform in the day ' s ceremony . With regard to the Earl of Carnarvon , he might say that those brethren who had had the opportunity of attending Grand Lodge were able to bear testimony to the fact that whenever anything of