Fourth Annual Dinner Of The "Old Masonians" Association.

meeting they would have had a sufficient balance in hand to say— " We can take a boy from the School , and if the Master says he is deserving of being sent to a University , we can say here is the money . " That was not their position at the present moment . When he spoke to many Maso . ns they said , " You are not

Freemasons . " As a member of the Association , who knew every member individually , he could say there were many willing to subscribe and become Masons , but their object was to establish a lodge of their own , one that should be reserved for boys of the School . When he had seen Masons going to Grand Lodge with

their three Charity jewels on their breast , it had often struck him , and perhaps he was speaking too sanguine , that the time would come when they would have a fourth jewel—that of the " Old Masonians" Association . It had also struck him that Masons took a boy from a widow who was perhaps left with six or seven children ,

and that widow had a good deal of interest , through which the boy was placed in the Institution . The boy was educated and fitted for any position in life that might offer , but the question had occurred to him that the Boys' Institution left off at the vital part of that "boy ' s career , for the mother had b y this time lost her

friends and had no influence , and perhaps that boywho was fitted to be a shining light in one of the great professions—had to enter a warehouse or , may be , wheel a barrow . If the Head Master could go to the Committee of that Association and tell them that such a . boy was worthy of a loan—he would put it in that

form—which he would repay , or of a gratuity , they should be in a position to say—helped by the Craft" We will put that boy forward , " and he would become a pleasure to those who originally helped him into the School . They had lost a valuable leader in their late Secretary , who , if present , would endorse his remarks .

He onl y hoped that through the valuable columns of the Freemason their main object would be put a little more before the Craft in the future than it had been in -the past . He could assure those present that the ¦ Committee did not want , and had no wish , to use money subscribed b y the Craft on amusements . Their meetings were simply the means of keeping a grasp

on those who joined , and they held money subscribed by the Craft as sacred to the one object in view . They had shown themselves self-supporting , and did not ask for Charity , but they asked Masons to assist them . They knew that in the Craft there were large employers of labour , and they asked that those who were in want of assistants would go to them and ask if they-had one on the books who would suit .

Mr . R . H . WILLIAMS , Hon . Sec , in the course of a lengthy speech , said it was not his province to deal with the question of subscriptions , but he would confine himself to the objects , composition , and results of their Association . But before doing so he could not do better than remark , with respect to that dinner , that he

had sent out over 80 circulars to members of the Masonic Craft , beyond what he had sent to the mem'bers . In response to those circulars he had received betters from Major George Lambert , a Vice-President of the Association , F . Imbert Terry , Augustus Harris , A . F . Godson , M . P ., President for last year , and W .

W . Morgan , expressing regret at their inability to attend . He was pleased to have received those letters , and , although not present , they thanked those gentlemen for the interest shown . He wished to endorse the Hon . Treasurer ' s remarks as to the loss they had sustained b y the retirement of their old friend , Mr . Alfred

Watkins , from the post of Hon . Secretary , for he was practically the founder of that Association . It was Mr . Watkins who advised another attempt to start the Association , and he had done his work ably and well , and whatever credit was due for the success of that •evening was due in a great measure to him . Their late Secretary could not attend , but wrote and sent a

subscription of 10 shillings instead . The Association , asthey were aware , was formed entirel y of ex-pupils of the Boys' Institution , and was now completing its fourth year and commencing its fifth . Whether the number of no members was good or bad was a matter for consideration . There was one main object and two

subsidiary ones , the two , of course , going towards the attainment of the one . The two objects were , firstly , to hold social evenings by concerts , Cinderellas , or otherwise , and to keep the members together , and , secondly , to present a prize to the Institution for whatever subject the Committee mi ght decide upon . They wished

¦ it known at the Institution that the prize was given by the "Old Masonians . " That Association had not been carried on by those who wanted assistance , but by those who were perhaps in a better station ¦ 01 life , and it embraced what he thought must be the main object of Freemasonry—Charity , friendshi

p , and mutual assistance . Boys left the Institution at 15 , but he thought that was far too young , and that they ought to have another year . Rather than have a greater number of boys , have a few less , and keep them till 16 . That Association sought to take the boys up when leaving school

, and assist them . It was their pride to say that if a boy joined them and met his fellow pupils he would not go wrong , and in that way the Association was doing a great deal in encouraging the boys into the ri ght path . Last winter they held a dramatic entertainment at St . James ' s Hall , when he sent out a circular to

-every lod ge in the kingdom , and in reply he received but one answer , which came from the Anchor Lodge , Bro . Muggeridge , and enclosed a cheque for 10 guineas , it ever the Association attained success , they would look upon that gift with gratitude . He asked Masons tor their sympathy , which they could show by attending the meetings and the annual dinner , and there was

Fourth Annual Dinner Of The "Old Masonians" Association.

another thing they could do . If any Mason had a vacancy in his office , give him ( the Hon . Sec . ) the first refusal , and he was quite sure he could find a suitable candidate . He had one he should like in particular to get a situation for , who was educated and fitted for any position , and who was now in the proud position

of earning ios . per week , out of which he had to pay 4 s . 6 d . for lod gings . That lad came to him , and asked him what he should do , as he found it impossible to live on the money . He would mention that the situation the boy was now in was obtained b y a member . The Head Master could assist him ( the

Hon . Sec . ) by giving him the names of boys leaving the School in order that he mi ght write and get them to join . In conclusion , he hoped that some practical good to the Association would result from the present meeting . "The Vice-President" was given by Mr . PACKER ,

who explained that a subscription of three guineas qualified for a Vice-Presidency , or ios . 6 d . per year for seven years . He thanked those . who had alread y taken up that position , and coupled with the toast the name of Mr . A . Barfield . Bro . BARFIELD having responded ,

" Prosperity to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys" was next given by Mr . UWINS , who said he would couple with the toast the name of one he considered—and he was speaking individually—to have done more for the Boys' School than any man ever could or would do . When he saw his name down to

submit that toast he thought at once it was the first opportunity he had had of speaking of what Mr . Binckes had done for himself and the others round the table . It was not possible for a gathering of Old Boys to let pass an opportunity like the present without telling those members of the Craft , and through

them the whole of the Craft , the respect and admiration they had for Mr . Binckes . There was no boy , singly or individually , who had left that School who if brought before a Committee of his fellow schoolfellows , could find any fault with the ruling of Mr . Binckes . When the recent storm was brewing they were asked to move

in the matter , but Mr . Binckes it was who advised them not to move , although they could have brought forward a volume of testimony in his favour . When they found they could do nothing with the "Old Masonians " Association they went to Mr . Binokes , who had been their guiding star . In proposing prosperity to the Royal

Masonic [ Institution for Boys they would wish long life and prosperity to Mr . Binckes in whatever state of life in which he might find himself . Bro . F . BINCKES , Sec . R . M . I , for Boys , in reply , said he rose to reply , he did not hesitate to state , under circumstances to himself which were delicate

and difficult . The toast must enlist the sympathies of all—no matter what opinions there mi ght be on matters of details of administration—being that of " Success to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . " He could take a survey of something like 30 years ' connection with that Institution . He hardl y knew how

to steer clear of the difficulty he had first mentioned in replying , for it would be useless for him to ignore the position he had held , as it seemed to find some reference to the position in which he now stood with regard to the School . He did not wish to introduce one single word of a controversial nature . With

reference to the past , let him refer to that first . He was told it was bad logic to argue from results , but he had always disputed that as a practical man . He did not care what mi ght be the verdict passed in any Committee of Inquiry into the mode of administration with reference to the Boys' School during the time with which he was associated as an executive officer under

a Committee , from 1861 to 188 9 , numbering 86 brethren , occupying very distinguished positions and qualified as Patrons and Vice-Patrons of the Institution , active and intelligent men , but he would say that if they had done nothing more during the time the School had been under that administration than

produce what was seen that night , a fair representation in the "Old Masonians" Association , of what they had done for the sons of Freemasons . If Mr . Uwins was speaking sincerely , and he did not think from what he knew of him that he would say one word he did not mean , he did not want to go outside that Association

to give him a practical illustration of the benefits conferred through the Boys' School to a large number of the sons of Freemasons . That there mi ght have been certain faults he was not prepared to contend , but the advance and progress it had made in a progressive age it would be impossible to gauge , for what would have

been politic 35 years ago would not be prudent or politic now . There was nothing proved or attempted against the honour , honesty , or integrity of those charged with the management , and if the magnificent body to whom he now appealed were a fair sample of what was called the " failure , " he hoped to be spared to

see a better result under what was called a better system of administration . Mr . Uwins had spoken of the vital point of a boy ' s existence . They had always taken care to give everything in the shape of education in the Institution to those placed there , but unfortunatel y the boys left them at a certain time , and that was the crucial

point . There were no means , no funds to hel p their young friends in their upward course when they had completed their education . A few years ago an influential movement was formed , of which the Chairman was a warm helper , to inaugurate a pupils'

assistance fund . There was a bazaar under good auspices , but the movement failed to command the sympathy of the Craft , and proved a failure . He wished that such a movement could once again be started with better success . When he first became the Secretary , the age

Fourth Annual Dinner Of The "Old Masonians" Association.

for leaving School was 15 , but it was afterwards extended to 16 . To his great regret , a very few years ago the matter was again forced upon the attention of the Committee , was considered , and , in spite of all he could say , it was altered back to 15 , the majority being influenced by some commercial men in the City of

London , who said it was a great mistake , and that a boy was just as well able to make his way in commercial life at 15 as one of-16 . His name had been coupled with the toast , and it was a pleasurable and great gratification to him to see them evidentl y enjoying a fair amount of prosperity , which he trusted , with all

sincerity , would be immediately increased at a ho distant future . His term in the capacity of Secretary had only about two months to run , and he did not hesitate to state , with to him personally , a very large amount of regret . He had loved his work and had laboured , although he said it himself , constantly and assiduously

, and he would go further and say without egotism successfully . It was not for him to quarrel with any position which necessitated his retirement , but he hoped that in his retirement he should carry the sympathies of those who had had the best opportunities of gauging what he had done . That he was free from fault or

blame , or even deserving perhaps of something in the shape of censure or disapproval he would not say , but what he did complain of was that in a bod y like theirs there had not been a discrimination shown , but censure lavishly applied , and no credit given for labour and work rendered . The Chairman mi ght perhaps think he was guilty of a large liberty for wandering

from the subject of the toast , which was " Prosperity to the Institution , " but as he felt that it might possibly be the last—he would fain hope not—occasion on which he should address them , he took the opportunity of discharging his mind fairly and freely . He felt himself a victim to vindictive persecution , but nothing in the world would interfere with his continuous

interest with the School , and to encourage others to follow in his footsteps , and with his endeavours to prosper the " Old Masonians" Institution . " The Chairman , President of the Association , " and " The Visitors , " was afterwards given , and the National Anthem terminated the proceedings .

During the evening the names of Bros . Jas . Terry and Jno . Barnett , jun ., were added to the list of Vice-Presidents , and a programme of music was rendered by Messrs . A . H . Stephenson , W . J . Peaman , V . Wightick , G . Elgar , and others , Mr . Lewis Frost

presiding at the pianoforte . For the information of brethren desiring particulars of the Association , it may be mentioned that the Hon . Secretary is Mr . R . Harold Williams , ji , Oxford and Cambridge Mansions , Hyde Park , W .

Obituary.

Obituary .

BRO . SIMEON C . HADLEY , P . A . G . D . C .

The declining years of Bro . ex-Alderman Sir S . C . Hadley , P . A . G . D . C , were passed in a st yle that contrasted strongly with the bri ghter years of his youth and matured manhood . Our deceased brother was born in 1831 at Cambridge , and when a young man came to London , and with his brothers embarked in

business in the flour trade , and soon gave proof of the happy selection he had made by reaching the very top of the tree , everything looking most promising . About 20 years since he entered on his public career , and in 18 75 succeeded Sir J . S . Gibbons as Alderman of the Ward

of Castle Baynard . The following year he served the office of Sheriff of London and Middlesex . Eight years later he stood candidate for the position of Lord Mayor , but Alderman , now Sir R . N . Fowler was preferred before him , and then afterwards he lived a life of comparative obscurity . He had in his more fortunate

days been a good working Mason , and in 18 74 he was appointed A . G . D . of C . He was also a worthy supporter of our Charities , having served sundry Stewardships and qualified as Vice-President of the Girls' and Boys' Schools , and a Life Governor of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution .

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