The Proposed Scottish Masonic Benevolent Institution.

I have no fear that you will respond to me in behalf of the widows and aged , but I have heard the question raised , schools ' . Why more schools ? Education is compulsory , Mid ratepayers have to provide for those who cannot afford this luxury ; true , most true ; but I would ask then'how are ness poor orphans to be fed , clothed , and properly brought u ;>; are they to live a street arab life till the Board Officer

finds them and roughly takes them to the nearest school ? Does the education act provide food , clothing , and decent God-fearing homes for these poor wretches : No , brethren , no . Fancy yourselves by illness , or other cause , reduced to want , ( you the breadwinner may die suddenly ) and your poor widow is left without a single hope of relief , left I say , to maintain her helpless children ; are these children to

herd with the lowest , perhaps , the criminal classes ? No , brethren , no . We as Masons hope for much more , we hope to receive these poor children in a true home , free from contamination with vice , to educate , to support , to feed , to clothe , and to house them , and when they are thrown upon the wide world to earn their own living ; they may bless their benefactors , and strive to show b y

blameless lives , that they appreciate the good that has been instilled into them , and maintain the good character and Godfearing habits in which they have been reared and brought up . 1 may say that I am not unacquainted with our existing Masonic Schools , I know the good they do and [ for years they have done , and I feel assured that all those equally

; , r Letter informed than myself will endorse my statements . Come forward then , my Scottish Brethren , or our colonies will distance us in the race , already I have letters from distant lands seeking to give a hel ping hand ( the colonists are no niggards ) what they have earned with' the sweat c . f their brow , they are ready and willing to give ; think brethren of your . duties , your solemn duties as

Masons ! Remember the hour when you were admitted into Masonry ! Consider the glorious words then uttered Do what you then solemnly promised ! Above all remembcr those blessed words of Scripture , " Blessed is he that gives as well as him that receives . " GEO . R . HARRIOTT , Prov . G . M . Wigtown and Kirkcudbrightshire . . February r 4 , 1876 .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

The- General Committee of this Institution met' on Thursday , in the library , Freemasons' '• Hall , Bro . Raynham W . Stewart , V . I \ , in the chair . There were also present Bros . John Boyd , Benj . Head , H . Browse , W . Roebuck , Dudley Rolls , R . Kenyon , Col . Creaton , Thomas Mas .-a , De . Ramsey , Walter Wellsman , II . A . Dubois , A .

H . Tattershall , H . Massey ( " Freemason" ) , Robert B . Webster . F . G . Baker , Rev . J . M . Vaughan , H . Phythian , Richard Spencer and R . Wentworth Little , ( Secretary . ) Chi . Creaton brought on his motion for increasing tie Secretary ' s salary £ 50 a year . As a brother who saw a great deal of the working of the institution , he could say that Bio . Little had always given the greatest satisfaction .

It was unnecessary for him to say more , as the brethren knew r . s well as he did what the services of the Secretarywere . ( Hear , hear . ) B ; .,. Tattershall- seconded the motion , which was carried iiranimi . isly . Bri ' . Col . Creaton then moved the addition of £ 20 a vein- to the salary of Bro . Hedges , the chief clerk in the

olive . Urn . Little gave him a very high character , both for attention to his duties and ability in the performance of them , ( Hear , htar . ) Brn . Tattershall seconded the rr . etion , which , was then put and carried unanimously . Bro . Little having teen vaiie . l in , tile Cainnan , addressing him , said that the increase had been unanimously i ' .-. irie () , and all the brethren considered he deserved it .

Bro . Little thanked the brethren for their kindness , and sad that although his health had not been all he would have desired for a few months , yet the interests of the institution had not suffered thereby . What the brethren had done would act as a stimulus to still further exertions on his parr . He also thanked the brethren on behalf of Bro . lle . lges . Tw : > cardidatcs were placed on the list for election in A-. 'ril next , and the committee tken adjourned .

St. James's Union Lodge Ball.

ST . JAMES'S UNION LODGE BALL .

The fourteenth annual bail of the above lodge-was held at Freemasons'Tavern , on Thurs ., the loth , and was atu-ii . ; .-. I hy a large nuhibtr of brethren ,. 'lnd : their la-dies . Dar'cing commenced at- hall-past nine' with a- goodly ii ! L :. ter . CIA te and -Tinney's excellent and justly famed hums v-i : iueen ptrfoimtd , with their usual spirited gusto ,

the admirable programme prepared for the occasion , Bro . Janis acting with indefatigable zeal the office of M . C . Nearly 300 ladies and gentlemen answered the invitation of the Stewards , who left nothing wanting for their guests ' enji . yrnent . A sumptuous supper was served in tbe Crown am ! bussex Rooms , presided over respectively by Bros . J ' .-ir .-ur . s and Staden , Bubb and Smith , the usual toasts on

sue !; occasions being given and responded to with admirable brevity . Dancing being resumed , was continued with great Sjtirit , and it had turned half-past four before the last ¦ lance closed one if the most successful uf these annual festivities . Appended is the list of Stewards-: —Bros . W . C . Par sons , I . P . M ., President ; A . W . Staden , Vice-President

G . Bubb , P . M , Treasurer ; -J . Gilhrd , W . M . ; A . Amett , J . W . ; S . Smith , S . D ., W . S . ; E . S . Harrison , J . D . ; E . Karwig , I . G . ; W . Stallard , W . S . ; J . W . Stacey , D . C . ; 11 . A . Stacey , P . M . ; J . Miles , P . J . D . ; A . Hays , R . Kickar . ls , J . A . Hussey , J . Wood , J . Atkin , W . H . Baker , W . II . C . Sharpe , A . Pinto Leite , L . B . Pillin , J . W ., Hon . Sec .

Apollo University Lodge , No. 357.

APOLLO UNIVERSITY LODGE , NO . 357 .

The installation meeting of this lodge was held on Tuesday last , at the University Masonic Hall , Oxford . Bro . Cave Brown- Cave , P . M ., presided at the opening , and raised Bros . Barrow , Batchelor , Bingley , Childen , Kemp , Neave , Sichel and Tomlin .

Bro . Rev . David Thomas , Past Prov . Grand Chaplain of Glamorganshire , late Fellow of Trinity College , Oxford , Lord Ramsay , and Bro . J . R . Izat were elected as joining members . At three o ' clock the W . M ., Bro . the Rev . H . A . Pickard , presided , and raised Bros . Sankey and

Swithinbank , in which he was assisted by Prince Leopold , S . W . After this the ceremony of installation was performed by Bro . Pickard . Among the distinguished brethren present were the Earl of Shrewsbury and Talbot , Lord De' Tabley , Lord Methuen , Colonel Burdett ,

Bros . R . J . Spiers , Reginald Bird , J . B . Monckton , Revs . C . J . Martin , Walter F . ~ Scott , T . F . Ravensbaw , Bro . Mclntyre . Q- . C . ; CaptauvPhilips , Major' Shadwell Clerke , Colonel Adair , Bro . Victor "Williamson , Rev . R . K . Bedford , and Past Masters of the Lodge Trywhitt , Dallin , and

Bro . Cave' Brown- Cave . Bro . H . Massey represented the Freemason . " The Prince was attended by ' 'the Controller of his Household , Bro . Collins ; C . B ., and' his Equerry-in-waiting , the Hon . Alex . Yorke . The Immediate Past Masterof the lodge , Bro . F . P . Morrell , presented Prince

Leopold to the Master , to receive ' afchis hands the benefit of installation . The Worshipful Master then duly installed him , in the presence of a board of installed Masters , numbering 3 6 brethren . The Prince showed his proficiency as a student of Freemasonry , and invested his officers

for the year as follows : —Bros . Rev . R . W . M . Pope , Deputy . ' Master ; Williamson , Senior Warden ; the Rev . L . K . Hilton , Senior Chaplain the Rev . E . D . Whitmarsh , Junior Chaplain , ; Reginald Bird , Deputy Provincial Grand Masterof Oxford , Vice-Principal of Magdalen

College , Treasurer of Ihe lodge ; J . C . Bodley , of Balliol College , Senior Secretary ; Paget , Christ Church , Junior Secretary ; W . M . Clencross , Christ' Church , Senior Deacon ; Drummond , Christ Church , Junior Deacon ; Bros . Gordon Campbell , F . Hedges , Gandy , Maxwell , Douglas

Campbell ( of Blythswood ) , and Janson , Master of Ceremonies ; Gandell , Inner Guard ; Parratt , Organist of Magdalen College , Organist of the lodge ; the Rev . H . Deane , Vicar of St . J ohn ' s , and Bros . Tuke , Weatherley , Knollys , Berrington , La Terrier , Gerard , Leigh , Grenfell , Symonds ,

W . Little , Stewards : and George Norwood , TV . er . His Royal Highness then rose to close il ' . v lodge , when five propositions wore given in for initiations , and the •' heaity good wishes " were expressed by Lord Methuen , from Wiltshire ; by Lord Shrewsbury , from Staffordshire ;

by Colonel Campbell of Blythswood , from Renfrewshire ; by Bro . Mclntyre , Q . C ., from Grand Lodge ; by Lord de Tabley , from Cheshire j by Colonel Burdett , from Ireland and Middlesex ; by Colonel Adair , from Worcestershire- ; by Bro . J . N . Palmer , from Hants and the Isle of Wight ; by Bro . J . B . Monckton , from the Board of

General Purposes ; by the Rev . C . J . Martyn , from Suffolk ; and by a long list of other brethren , < among them being Bro . Reginald Bird , representing the Province of Oxfordshire . Lodge was then closed , and a banquet at the Clarendon Hotel followed , presided over by thc Prince ; after which the usual toasts were proposed .

The W . M ., in giving- the hrst toast , said , — Brethren , I rise to propose to you the toast dearest to all loyal subjects , and particularly to all Masons . Though it is one requiring no comment , we will drink it with no less enthusiasm . Brethren , I give you '' The Queen and the Craft . "

The toast was followed by " God save the Queen . " The W . M . then rose and said , —Brethren : I rise with the greatest pleasure to give you the toast next in order , but equally important with

the one we have just'drunk . It is that of " The Grand Master of England . " ( Applause . ) As to all Englishmen the reception of the Prince of Wales in India has been particularly gratifying , so all Masons must feel especially gratifying the

Apollo University Lodge , No. 357.

tribute of loyalty paid to our Grand Master in India by the Craft . ( Hear , hear . ) While drinking ' our Grand Master ' s health , let us unite , brethren , in wishing him a safe and speedy , return ; ( Cheers . ) Brethren , I give you the toast-of "Our Grand Master of England , H ; R . H . the

Prince of Wales . " This toast was followed by the singing . of ! " God bless the Prince of Wales . " The W . M . again rose and said- . I will now ; brethren , give you the toast of "'The Pro Grand Master , the Deputy Grand Master , and Officers

of Grand Lodge , Past and Present . ' We , mem-, bers of the Apollo , can recal with just pride-that the two first officers I have named were initiated in this lodge , and both are members of it . Nor need I remind you that they are riot the oiil ^ representatives of Grand'Lodge whom the Apollo

can boast of . We hope to see the Pro Grand Master and the Deputy Grand' Master at the ceremony to-morrow : In the meanwhile I assure you that they regret no'less than we do tliei ^ inability-to be here with us this evening .- I couple with this toast the name of the Provincial

Grandr'Master of Wiltshire , iLord Methuen . Lord Methuen replied , and apologized'' to Grand'Lodge for'being so badly represented' in an elocutionary point of view by him . If the whole of Grind Lodge : had-been present they < wo ' uld have hailed ! witbJdelightthe-advent of oftfc

who' promised to l fbecome a star m * the' / heml * sphere of Preehiasonrjr . If he might be allowed in His Royal . Hi ghnesses presence to say . so . from' his earliest days down to the present he , had beenr'a' ' shining bright light to all- thos * who came about htitij and they felt he-would

remain so as lbng'aslife was spared him ; and as long as he remained the head of- the- 'OrdeY ' at Oxford he would set an example to Masons in the province .- He ( Lord Methuen ) --wished hfe could express himself as strongly as he could wish in proposing the healthof one who had

done , and was doing for . the Craft and' the Lodge so much-good . He-had worked most assiduously -in the cause of Masonry thcoughfout the provittce , and had successfully brdnght to'an issue whatever he had attempted' with re ^ gard to the welfare of Freemasonry .

His-Lordship concluded by proposing "The Health of the : Grand Registrar in charge , of the Provinoe " , the D . G . M ; , and Officers of Provincial Grand Lodge . " Bro . M . J . Mclntyre , Q . C ., G . R ., replied : It was a great-pleasure to be praised by one -who

himself deserved so- much praise . It had' been his earnest endeavour since the province ¦ of Oxiford came into his hands'to discharge the duties of his office to the utmost of his ability , and in that he had been more than supported by all the brethren who had been appointed to office in

the province . If ever there were ; officers loyal to their head or devoted to the principles and practice of Freemasonry , ic was in this ¦ province . Never in'any province did brethren more deserve office , or , having obtained it , more worthily discharge the duties thrust upon them . He felt

it indeed , a proud thing to have been placed'by fortuitous circumstances at the head of the province of Oxford ; but he felt it more fortunate , having been placed in that position , to have been so well' supported . It would leave an impression upon his mind which could onl y be effaced

by time with him being no more . ( Hear , heas . ) The Earl of Shrewsbury proposed' "The Worshipful Master . " - He felt that ; a very- important duty had devolved upon him , and if he was guilty of any failure in it , it was to be attributed , not to want of will-,-but to inability

to discharge the duty properly . He appealed" to his brethren of the Apollo Lodge to excuse . ray fault . He might say this of Masonry , that those who wished to push themselves forward in . it never succeeded , but those who wen : on quietly and guilelessly , and accepted the honours thrust

upon them , succeeded . He felt it an additional honour , after having been 30 years a member of this lodge , to have to propose the health of His Royal Highness . Without adulation he mi ght say of His Royal Highness , that he

congratulated him upon' the facility and adaptability with which he had conducted his important duties in lodge that evening . Thank God for the adaptability , sociability ,- and kindness of heart which characterised' not only their-illustrious