Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

pose , and that pleasure is considerably enhanced because I see around me the evidence of life and vitality . ( Cheers . ) I congratulate you on the success you have gained to-day , and I hope that

success , and the prizes it has won , will be regarded as a substantial reward for the exertions you liave used , and serve as a stimulus to others—not so fortunate to-day—to do all in

their power to reach the top of thc same ladder of proficiency . I look upon education as the grandest thing in life—nothing can equal it , nothing can approach it ; secure it with all the

opportunities you have , and you secure a boon of inestimable value—an advantage that will be priceless under all circumstances to neglect it will be the greatest sorrow of your lives .

( Applause . ) I am glad to see that in this school there is something taught in addition to the three R ' sj you have mathematics , modern languages , and the classics . With regard to the

latter , I know opinions differ ; but my advice is , Yt ithout giving too much time to their cultivation , don ' t , by any means , ignore them ; and if—as I presume at times must be thc case—you find a

shining light amongst thc boys , let provision be made for his ultimately entering himself at Oxford or Cambridge . ( Loud cheers . ) I am very glad to hear that the laws of thc institution now

permit the pupils to be retained until they arrive at the age of sixteen . The extension of a year is , in my opinion , most valuable , and in granting it , a proper and prudent course has been adopted .

From fourteen to sixteen a boy begins himself to appreciate the value of education , and I shall look for considerable results from the change so Yvisely made . I am here to-day representing

the Lord Mayor , Yvhose absence I very much regret . That absence is occasioned by the discharge of a similar duty elsewhere—incumbent upon him . . It was his intention to be here , and

I wish he were in my place , because , you know , one Lord Mayor is worth two Sheriffs ! The Lord Mayor is not a member of our Order , but he is as true a Mason at heart as I am ,

rmd we are very proud of him in the City . When I return there , I shall tell him what a treat he has lost , and what pleasure I have had in being here , I am proud of being a Mason , and

tbat pritle is increased at witnessing what I have heen to day . You all ought to be proud of this Institution . My visit here—the first I have paid—has afforded me intense gratification .

Every hall , every dormitory , every corridor , every room , gives evidence of health and cleanliness . The love of the brotherhood is marvellous , and even the ladies will acknovvlege that there is

something in Masonry when they see so many boys well clothed and cared for , healthy , and acquiring an education that will enable them to take their part in life as good and useful men .

1 see boys from my own town , —one the son of an esteemed friend whom I knew intimately when enjoying wealth , position , and influence . Kvil days came—losses , death ; and do you

think I can bc unmoved when I see the son of my departed friend receiving here paternal protection , and all the advantages which this noble institution affords to the children of the

unfortunate members of our Order ! I thank you , boys , ladies , and brethren for the opportunity given me of being here to distribute these prizes , I shall regard this as a red letter day iu my existence ,

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

the recollection of which I shall ever cherish—It will be one of my greatest delights to remember I was here on such an occasion . ( Loud and continued applause . )

Bro . Head , V . P ., rose and said : Ladies and gentlemen : I am about to make a proposition which yon will receive Yvith great pleasure . We havc seen to-day the great kindness and great

ability that have been shown by the Sheriff of London . We arc proud to have him here ; we find him a true brother . ( Cheers . ) I ask you now to pass a vote of thanks to Bro . Perkins for

his kindness in coming here , and for the very handsome way in which he has conducted this meeting . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Rosenthal , V . P ., seconded the

proposition , which was put and carried by acclamation . Bro . Sheriff Perkins , in responding , said : Ladies and gentlemen , and boys of this home ; I thank you for your kindness . All I can say

is , as a Mason , I am delighted to be able to do something towards the promotion of its welfare . ( Cheers . ) The boys then gave three cheers for Her Most

Gracious Majesty the Queen . They then sung the National Anthem , which brought thc meeting to a close . The ladies and gentlemen adjourned to the

gymnasium , where a cold collation Yvas served , which gave great satisfaction . On the withdrawal of the cloth , Bro . Sheriff Perkins proposed the folloYving toasts . — "The

Health of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen * " "His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , K . G . ; " " The Princess of Wales , and the rest of the Royal Family . "

Bro . the Rev . Dr . Cox , said : Ladies and gentlemen , though we regret the absence of the Lord Mayor , Bro . Perkins , I am happy to say

is present . He loves to take part in every good cause , and is the right man in the right place . ( Cheers . ) I have not known a brother who has done such credit to himself as our brother

has to-day ; YY ' arc proud to have him here . ( Cheers . ) I have the greatest pleasure in proposing a toast to the health of thc Chairman . Bro . Sheriff Perkins in responding said : I

thank you all for the kind manner in which you have received me . It has been a great pleasure to me to come among you ; I am gratified beyond

expression at being able to do something for such a noble Institution as this . How comforting it is to think that such a home is established and

thrown open for the relief of thr * sons of tlie distressed members of our Order . See what Masonry has done to relieve the poor , the widow , and the orphan ! ( Cheers . ) I speak Yvith thankfulness tlv . it I rim a Mason . I should think

every lady Yvould be anxious that her husband should be a Mason . Masonry will have a tendency to elevate his thoughts , it will make

him a better man , therefore , ladies and brethren , permit me to thank you for allowing me to be present , and to preside here . 1 shall take back with me such recollections that I shall never

forget . ( Cheers . ) Bro . Sheriff Perkins then proposed " Success to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . "

He said : J have endeavoured to picture to you this grand school , governed by a Master and Matron , and whose heart and soul are in the worR ,

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

whose delight is to see such an Institution as this flourish . If Masonry is extending , and fortune is uncertain , men who are rich to-day may be poor to-morroYV , and thus forced to seek for the

assistance of this school , in Yvhich if , the intentions of its managers are carried out , will ere long be received a large increase in the number of boys we see to-day . We know not what a

day will bring forth . Therefore all who have money in their pockets , Yvho have love for their brotherhood , ought to help this good cause . I am glad to learn that the Institution is free from

debt . You have a beautiful building , situated in a lovely part of the country . See what Masonry can do for the benefit of humanity . I challenge the Yvorld to find any other society that has done

so much as Masonry has . ( Cheers . ) Nothing can touch us for our generosity to our poorer brethren , and we have to reason to close our eyes to the fact . We trust that the boys in this

Institution Yvill rise to be great men of the future . ( Cheers . ) I couple with this the toast " Health of our good Bro . Binckes . " ( Cheers . ) 1 look upon him as one who mainl y brought

this Institution into existence . He never fails , always looking forYvard ; progress is his motto . ( Cheers . ) Masonry cannot afford to lose sight of such a man who has done so much .

( Cheers . ) Bro . Plncknett begged permission to interpose for a few moments between the toast just given and the response . There Yvas no one

occupying a similar position for Yvhoni he had a greater regard than for Bro . Binckes . He had witnessed with much pleasure and more delight his unwearied exertions on behalf of this noble

Institution , audit was Yvith feelings of unalloyed gratification that he had taken the active part he had in the organisation from which had resulted the testimonial to be presented to Bro . Binckes

that day . He considered Bro . Binckes worthy of all the honour they could do him , and there Yvas no interference with , or derogation from , thc honour they wished to do him , in deciding that

the testimonial should take the substantial anti practical form in which it Yvould be presented . He would hand to thc Chairman a silver salver , with a purse , representing thc amount contributed

by many of those who had watched Bro . Binckes' labours with interest and anxiety , and ask him , in the name and on behalf of the

committee , to hand them to Bro . Binckes , accompanied with their sterling and hearty good wishes for health , happiness , and prosperity through many long years . ( Loud cheers . ) liro . Sheriff Perkins said : —Ladies rmd

Gentlemen , I have known Bro . Binckes for many years but little thought that the honour of presenting him with this silver sal \* er , accompanied by a thousand guineas would be conferred on me .

( Cheers . ) This testimonial has been obtained through the kind efforts of friends , privately , unknown to the Yvorld . Bro . Binckes , and the boys of the Masonic School is a proverb in the

country ; they live together , they look on him as a father . His heart and soul are in the Institution , we are very proud of him , 1 sincerely hope ,

through the kind blessings of Providence , lis may be spared to give this institution thc benefit of his good judgement rmd advice . Bro Binckes , as a token of your friends' cs-