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Article FREEMASONRY IN 1890. ← Page 2 of 4 Article FREEMASONRY IN 1890. Page 2 of 4 →
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Freemasonry In 1890.
Among the lodges toTwhich the Grand Master has been pleased to grant centenary warrants , and as regards its subscribing members the privilege of wearing a centenary jewel , we must enumerate the Prince of Wales Lodge , No . 259 , which was founded in 1787 , but which had delayed the celebration of this auspicious event till the 13 th March of the present year , in order that his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , who is the perpetual
Master of it , might preside on the occasion . In April , the Lodge of Confidence , No . 193 , celebrated the completion of its first century , and later in the year the same anniversary was observed by the Worcester Lodge , No . 280 , Worcester , the St . John ' s Lodge , No . 279 , Leicester , and the St . Paul's Lodge , No . 194 , London . The first of these three events was made the subject of a grand Masonic display . Provincial Grand Lodge arranged that its meeting should be held so as to time
with the day appointed for the anniversary , while a conversazione was held the day previous to the Provincial meeting , and the actual centenary celebration on the day following , so that our Worcestershire brethren undoubtedly made the most of their opportunity , and at the same time did suitable honour to this worthy lodge . So , too , in the case of the St . John ' s Lodge , Leicester , the precise anniversary was kept in August , when the brethren from all parts of Leicestershire attended Divine
service in the parish church , while in November the festivities took place , especial honour being paid to the veteran Bro . John Kelly , Past Prov . G . M ., who was initiated under its banner in the year 18 3 8 . Other events deserving of notice are the investiture of Bro . Sir W . T . Marriott , Q . C , M . P ., as Deputy Prov . G . M . of Sussex , in the place of the late Bro . Gerard Ford ; the presentation of Grand Lodge clothing to Bros . W . F . Smithson and R . C . Sudlow , on their appointment
as Junior Grand Deacon and Grand Standard Bearer respectively ; the reception by the Quatuor Coronati and Anglo-American Lodges of Bros . McCalla , G . M . Pennsylvania , Robertson , G . M . Canada , Horner , P . G . M . Louisiana , and Van Vrooman , G . M . of New York ; the inauguration of the Liverpool Masonic Literary Society ; and lectures by Bros . R . F . Gould , P . G . D ., and G . W . Speth
at Hull , and in other provincial towns . The consecrations of lodges are too numerous to mention , but it seems desirable to specify those of the Cornish Lodge , in London , and the Universities' Lodge of Durham , as having been attended with more than the usual pomp and circumstance , the former being honoured with the presence of Grand Master McCalla , while the latter was attended by most of the elite of the brethren in the northern counties .
ROYAL ARCH MASONRY . The number of new chapters for which warrants have been granted during the year is 15 , or rather less than in 18 S 9 . Five of these are attached to London lodges , nine to Provincial lodges , and one to a lodge in foreign parts . The five in the Metropolis are the Old Concord Chapter , No . 172 ; the Anglo-American Chapter , No . 2191 ; the Ubique Chapter , No . 17 8 9 ; the Covent Garden Chapter ,
No . 1614 ; and the Emblematic Chapter , No . 1321 . The new Provincial chapters are distributed thus—the Sun and Sector Chapter , No . 9 62 , at Workington , Cumberland and Westmorland ; the Williamson , No . 949 , Monkwearmouth , Durham ; the Warner , No . 2256 , Chingford , and the Colne Valley , No . 2154 , Halstead , both in Essex ; the St . Clair , No . 2074 , Landport , Hants and the Isle of Wi ght ; the Fidelity , No . 26 9 , Blackburn , East Lancashire ; the St . Stephen ' s , No . 1802 ,
East Retford , Notts ; the Berwick-on-Tweed , No . 393 , Berwick-on-Tweed , Northumberland ; and the Harry Sparks , No . 99 6 , East Dereham , Suffolk . The remaining chapter , denominated the Johannesberg , No . 2313 , is located at Johannesberg , in the South African Republic . These constitute the additions which have been made to the roll of Supreme Grand Chapter during the year , nor is there anything else that we are aware of as being worthy of being recorded in the
Summary , unless we except the installation of Comp . Lieut .-Gen . C . W . Randolph as Grand Superintendent of Sussex , vice Comp . Gerard Ford , deceased , and the recognition by Grand Chapter of the newly-established Grand Chapter of New South Wales . The proceedings in Royal Arch Masonry do not , as we have remarked in previous Summaries , appear to evoke any very great amount of enthusiasm .
MARK MASONRY . Few things are more noticeable in the later history of Freemasonry than the amazing progrees which the Mark Degree has made in public estimation . It is no exaggeration to say that the number of its lodges has considerably more than doubled itself during the last 16 years , its income and invested capital have increased proportionately , while its ramifications have extended to all parts of the
British Empire . The organisation of its Grand Lodge is more complete than ever , its Provincial and District Grand Lodges are both numerous and efficient , and , above all , the Festival of its Benevolent Fund is on a level , as regards proceeds , with the Festivals of our Central Charities such as they were in the earl y " sixties . " The great event of the present year has been , of course , the removal of Grand Lodge to its new quarters in Mark Masons' Hall , Great Queen-street ,
where it now can boast of a hall , offices , and lodge rooms , which are in all respects worthy of its increased prosperity . But we are pleased to be in a position to record also that the additions to the roll of lodges has been largel y in excess of what it was in 188 9 , as many as 17 warrants having been granted since the Communication in December , 188 9 , as compared with 11 issued during the 12 months preceding that date . During the same period the registered membership has
increased by 1370 , that being the total number of the certificates which are reported to have been issued in the half-yearly reports issued as stated at the Communications held in June and the present month respectively . Of the 17 new lodges four meet in the London district , namely : the Scots , No . 406 ; the Eclectic , No . 410 ; the Grafton , No . 415 ; and the Camden , No . 418 . The nine Provincial lodges are as follow : the Bisley , No . 407 , and the Ubique , No . 411 , both in the Province of
Middlesex and Surrey ; the Royal Connaught , No . 409 , Sussex , and the Hertlord Military , No . 408 , in Waiwickshire ; the St . Nicholas , No . 413 , Harwich , in the Province of East Anglia ; the St . Martin , No . 414 , Alfreton , in the Province of Leicestershire , Derbyshire , & c , & c . ; the Royal Oak , No . 416 , Deptford , in the Province of Kent ; the Mount Edgcumbe , No . 417 , Camborne , Cornwall ; and the Sewell , No . 421 , Egremont , in Cheshire . The four meeting abroad are
the Moira , No . 412 , Victoria , Australia ; the United , No . 419 , Hong Kong ; the Pulney Andy , No . 420 , Madras ; and the Fairtlough , No . 422 , Sierra Leone . There have also been granted four warrants of Constitution for the following Royal Ark Mariner lodges—the Mount Sinai , No . 3 6 ; the Brownri gg , No . 16 3 the Remigitis , No . 117 ; and the Collin , No . 151 , the number of Ark Mariner
certificates issued being 193 . The new appointments include Bro . the Hon . Sir Stafford Northcote , M . P ., as Prov . Grand Master of Devonshire , vice the late Bro . Col . J . Tanner Davy , and H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , Prov . Grand Mark Master of Sussex , vice the late Bro . Gerard Ford . Sundry Provincial and District Grand Masters have also had their tenure of office extended for a further period of three years , but no new Provinces or Districts have been created .
We have spoken of the occupation of Mark Masons' Hall , Great Queen-street , as being the most conspicuous event of the year , and so undoubtedl y it is , if we consider the importance ot the change , the great outlay , amounting to between / 7000 and / 8000 , which it has necessitated , and the increased responsibility which it places on the Executive in order to restore the capital of the General Fund
which has been wholly exhausted , and repay the large sum borrowed from the Benevolent Fund . But the most important event , after all , is the Annual Festival of the Mark Benevolent Fund , which was celebrated this year at the Freemasons ' Tavern , on Wednesday , the 23 rd of July , under the presidency of Bro . the Earl of Euston , who has succeeded to the office of Deputy Grand Master , vacated by Bro . the Marquess of Hertford , Pro Grand Master , in place of Bro . Lord
Freemasonry In 1890.
Egerton of Tatton . The amount raised in donations and subscriptions was ^ 2354 , or considerably more than the total realised at any other previous anniversary . We trust our record for 1891 will be equally , if not more , favourable .
CHIVALRIC AND HIGH GRADE MASONRY . The various organisations which are included under this head have on the whole maintained their position satisfactorily . The two most important are the Order of the Temple and the Ancient and Accepted Rite , the former of which , though we cannot discover that it has materially added to its strength , has shown during the year a greater degree of activity than usual . Unfortunately , the display of
increased energy has been partial , and it is to be hoped that the example set by several Provincial Priories in various parts of the country will be still more generally followed in future years . One event undoubtedly deserves especial mention , the presentation and unveiling of a statue of Godefroi de Bouillon in Lichfield Cathedral b y Sir Kni ght Charles Fendelow , Provincial Prior of Staffordshire , Warwickshire , and Leicestershire , on the Sth January . This statue of the
great Crusader was the gift of the Godefroi de Bouillon Preceptory of the Order , meeting at Stoke-on-Trent , who were desirous of assisting in this manner in decorating the sacred edifice . The Dean and Chapter gracefully accepted the statue , and the ceremony of unveiling it and formally entrusting it to the custod y of the cathedral authorities , was performed with much solemnity on the day mentioned . As regards the Ancient and Accepted Rite , the year has . been marked by fewer events of exceptional interest than 18 S 9 , but the Rite is as flourishing as
ever , and the zeal of its chapters shows no abatement . The proceedings of the Order of Rome and the Red Cross of Constantine and of the Royal Order of Scotland have not been characterised by any particular display of vigour , but the Rosicrucians appear to have considerably enlarged their borders , there being a new Province of Northumberland , Durham , and Berwick , under Frater Charles Fendelow as Chief Adept , with a college at Newcastle , of which Frater W . F . Carmon is M . of T .
OUR INSTITUTIONS . If it is not in our power to congratulate the authorities of our central Charitable Institutions on having entirely renewed that measure of prosperity which attended them generally during the four or five years preceding 1888 , we can at least express our satisfaction at the disappearance of that bitterness of spirit which appears to have actuated certain of the brethren in criticising the conduct of the
governing bodies of two of them , and at the almost complete restoration of that generous confidence on the part of the Craft generall y which is indispensably necessary to their efficient maintenance . In our Summary of last year we took occasion to refer in somewhat pointed terms to the hostility manifested in certain quarters towards the executive of the Boys' School , and likewise , though in a far less conspicuous degree , towards the management of the Royal Masonic
Benevolent Institution . This year , we rejoice to say , there has been less criticism , and what there has been has been conceived in a friendly instead of in an hostile spirit . The result has been that in the case of each of the three Institutions the machinery of government has worked more smoothly than in ordinary years , and though , as we have said , the support they have received has not been equal to that vouchsafed them in 18 S 6-7 , it has shown a substantial increase as compared with that of 188 9 .
The Anniversary Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution was held about the usual date—on the 26 th February . The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of London , Bro . Alderman Sir H . A . Isaacs , W . M of the Drury Lane Lodge , No . 2127 , had kindly undertaken to preside as Chairman , but at the very last moment his lordship was prevented by illness from fulfilling his engagement , and his place was filled—and very ably filled—b y Bro . the Earl of Euston , Prov . Grand Master
of Northants and Hunts , who had presided so geniall y in 1889 . The Board of Stewards which our indefatigable Bro . James Terry succeeded in bringing together numbered 32 S brethren , London being represented by 175 Stewards , and the Provinces b y 15 S , and the result of their efforts was a total of donations and subscriptions which was announced as close on £ 13 , 100 , but which ultimately reached by the aid of additions and outstanding lists the very substantial figure of £ 13 , 840 .
This , though it was a few hundreds of pounds in excess of the 188 9 result , was less than the amount required for annuities , but nevertheless it was a goodly sum , and we have no doubt that when the year ' s accounts are made up the balance will be found on the right side . But the great difficulty with which the Committee of Management have been confronted with since 18 S 7 has been the steady increase in the number of candidates , especially of those on the list of the Widows' Fund ,
and that , too , in spite of the additions which have been made to the establishment at different periods . This year it was known some week or two previous to the Festival that the list of candidates for election at the annual general meeting in May would exceed 150 in number , and it was likewise known that the vacancies which would then be filled up would be comparatively few . The Committee , therefore , wisely took the bull by the horns , and determined on
seeing if by reasonable amendment of the rules defining the qualifications of candidates , it might not be [ possible to arrest this tendency to increase , and in so doing to bring the number within manageable compass . They there fore set about the task of revising the laws , and so effectually did they carry out their purpose , that the laws , as ultimately revised by them , were accepted unanimousl y in the first instance by the annual meeting of Governors and
Subscribers in May , and in the next b y Grand Lodge at its Quarterly Communication in June . It is not necessary that we should specify all the changes which have been adopted , and it will suffice if we state that in the case of both funds the male candidates or the late husbands of the widow candidates , must have been subscribing members of a lodge or lodges for at least 15 years—except in certain cases mentioned—instead of for 10 out of 15 years ; that widow candidates
must in future have attained the age of 60 years , instead of 55 years , years , as heretofore ; and that the income which a male candidate is allowed to have withuut disqualifying him has been reduced from £ 40 to , £ 30 a year . It remains to be seen what effect these changes will have , but our opinion is that in the course of a few years the lists will be less formidable in point of numbers
and therefore considerably more manageable . It remains for us to add that the annual meeting was held on the 16 th May , when the report of the Committee of Management was accepted , and 19 candidates out of a list of 65 on the Male Fund , and n candidates out of a list of 84 on the Widows' Fund were elected to the benefits of the Institution .
The Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , which has happily been free from the adverse criticisms that have affected the other Institutions , celebrated its 102 nd Anniversary on Tuesday , the 20 th May . Bro . Sir Francis Burdett , Bait ., Prov . Grand Master of Middlesex , occupied the chair , and as the result of the efforts made by a Board of Stewards comprising 253 brethren , of whom 120 acted for London and 133 for the Provinces , Bro . Hedges , the worthy Secretary ,
had the satisfaction of being able to announce a total of donations and subscriptions amounting to ^ n , 010 . This was more than double the sum obtained in 1 S 89 , and , with the permanent income arising from the interest on invested capital and the giants from Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter , will assuredly enable the authorities to give a good account of their stewardship when the year ' s accounts are made up . The elections
were held as usual in the spring and autumn , the number of girls ' elected at the Quarterly General Court , on Saturday , the 26 th of April , being 22 out of a list of 43 candidates , while at the Court held on Saturday , the ist November , 16 were elected out of a total list of 31 candidates . We must also mention that Bro . Henry Smith , P . G . D ., D . P . G . M . , West Yorkshire , is now Treasurer , in place of Bro . Horace B . Marshall , P . G . Treas ., while Bro . J . A . Rucker , one of the Trustees , died earl y in the year . As usual , the School has acquitted itself well at the public
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Freemasonry In 1890.
Among the lodges toTwhich the Grand Master has been pleased to grant centenary warrants , and as regards its subscribing members the privilege of wearing a centenary jewel , we must enumerate the Prince of Wales Lodge , No . 259 , which was founded in 1787 , but which had delayed the celebration of this auspicious event till the 13 th March of the present year , in order that his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , who is the perpetual
Master of it , might preside on the occasion . In April , the Lodge of Confidence , No . 193 , celebrated the completion of its first century , and later in the year the same anniversary was observed by the Worcester Lodge , No . 280 , Worcester , the St . John ' s Lodge , No . 279 , Leicester , and the St . Paul's Lodge , No . 194 , London . The first of these three events was made the subject of a grand Masonic display . Provincial Grand Lodge arranged that its meeting should be held so as to time
with the day appointed for the anniversary , while a conversazione was held the day previous to the Provincial meeting , and the actual centenary celebration on the day following , so that our Worcestershire brethren undoubtedly made the most of their opportunity , and at the same time did suitable honour to this worthy lodge . So , too , in the case of the St . John ' s Lodge , Leicester , the precise anniversary was kept in August , when the brethren from all parts of Leicestershire attended Divine
service in the parish church , while in November the festivities took place , especial honour being paid to the veteran Bro . John Kelly , Past Prov . G . M ., who was initiated under its banner in the year 18 3 8 . Other events deserving of notice are the investiture of Bro . Sir W . T . Marriott , Q . C , M . P ., as Deputy Prov . G . M . of Sussex , in the place of the late Bro . Gerard Ford ; the presentation of Grand Lodge clothing to Bros . W . F . Smithson and R . C . Sudlow , on their appointment
as Junior Grand Deacon and Grand Standard Bearer respectively ; the reception by the Quatuor Coronati and Anglo-American Lodges of Bros . McCalla , G . M . Pennsylvania , Robertson , G . M . Canada , Horner , P . G . M . Louisiana , and Van Vrooman , G . M . of New York ; the inauguration of the Liverpool Masonic Literary Society ; and lectures by Bros . R . F . Gould , P . G . D ., and G . W . Speth
at Hull , and in other provincial towns . The consecrations of lodges are too numerous to mention , but it seems desirable to specify those of the Cornish Lodge , in London , and the Universities' Lodge of Durham , as having been attended with more than the usual pomp and circumstance , the former being honoured with the presence of Grand Master McCalla , while the latter was attended by most of the elite of the brethren in the northern counties .
ROYAL ARCH MASONRY . The number of new chapters for which warrants have been granted during the year is 15 , or rather less than in 18 S 9 . Five of these are attached to London lodges , nine to Provincial lodges , and one to a lodge in foreign parts . The five in the Metropolis are the Old Concord Chapter , No . 172 ; the Anglo-American Chapter , No . 2191 ; the Ubique Chapter , No . 17 8 9 ; the Covent Garden Chapter ,
No . 1614 ; and the Emblematic Chapter , No . 1321 . The new Provincial chapters are distributed thus—the Sun and Sector Chapter , No . 9 62 , at Workington , Cumberland and Westmorland ; the Williamson , No . 949 , Monkwearmouth , Durham ; the Warner , No . 2256 , Chingford , and the Colne Valley , No . 2154 , Halstead , both in Essex ; the St . Clair , No . 2074 , Landport , Hants and the Isle of Wi ght ; the Fidelity , No . 26 9 , Blackburn , East Lancashire ; the St . Stephen ' s , No . 1802 ,
East Retford , Notts ; the Berwick-on-Tweed , No . 393 , Berwick-on-Tweed , Northumberland ; and the Harry Sparks , No . 99 6 , East Dereham , Suffolk . The remaining chapter , denominated the Johannesberg , No . 2313 , is located at Johannesberg , in the South African Republic . These constitute the additions which have been made to the roll of Supreme Grand Chapter during the year , nor is there anything else that we are aware of as being worthy of being recorded in the
Summary , unless we except the installation of Comp . Lieut .-Gen . C . W . Randolph as Grand Superintendent of Sussex , vice Comp . Gerard Ford , deceased , and the recognition by Grand Chapter of the newly-established Grand Chapter of New South Wales . The proceedings in Royal Arch Masonry do not , as we have remarked in previous Summaries , appear to evoke any very great amount of enthusiasm .
MARK MASONRY . Few things are more noticeable in the later history of Freemasonry than the amazing progrees which the Mark Degree has made in public estimation . It is no exaggeration to say that the number of its lodges has considerably more than doubled itself during the last 16 years , its income and invested capital have increased proportionately , while its ramifications have extended to all parts of the
British Empire . The organisation of its Grand Lodge is more complete than ever , its Provincial and District Grand Lodges are both numerous and efficient , and , above all , the Festival of its Benevolent Fund is on a level , as regards proceeds , with the Festivals of our Central Charities such as they were in the earl y " sixties . " The great event of the present year has been , of course , the removal of Grand Lodge to its new quarters in Mark Masons' Hall , Great Queen-street ,
where it now can boast of a hall , offices , and lodge rooms , which are in all respects worthy of its increased prosperity . But we are pleased to be in a position to record also that the additions to the roll of lodges has been largel y in excess of what it was in 188 9 , as many as 17 warrants having been granted since the Communication in December , 188 9 , as compared with 11 issued during the 12 months preceding that date . During the same period the registered membership has
increased by 1370 , that being the total number of the certificates which are reported to have been issued in the half-yearly reports issued as stated at the Communications held in June and the present month respectively . Of the 17 new lodges four meet in the London district , namely : the Scots , No . 406 ; the Eclectic , No . 410 ; the Grafton , No . 415 ; and the Camden , No . 418 . The nine Provincial lodges are as follow : the Bisley , No . 407 , and the Ubique , No . 411 , both in the Province of
Middlesex and Surrey ; the Royal Connaught , No . 409 , Sussex , and the Hertlord Military , No . 408 , in Waiwickshire ; the St . Nicholas , No . 413 , Harwich , in the Province of East Anglia ; the St . Martin , No . 414 , Alfreton , in the Province of Leicestershire , Derbyshire , & c , & c . ; the Royal Oak , No . 416 , Deptford , in the Province of Kent ; the Mount Edgcumbe , No . 417 , Camborne , Cornwall ; and the Sewell , No . 421 , Egremont , in Cheshire . The four meeting abroad are
the Moira , No . 412 , Victoria , Australia ; the United , No . 419 , Hong Kong ; the Pulney Andy , No . 420 , Madras ; and the Fairtlough , No . 422 , Sierra Leone . There have also been granted four warrants of Constitution for the following Royal Ark Mariner lodges—the Mount Sinai , No . 3 6 ; the Brownri gg , No . 16 3 the Remigitis , No . 117 ; and the Collin , No . 151 , the number of Ark Mariner
certificates issued being 193 . The new appointments include Bro . the Hon . Sir Stafford Northcote , M . P ., as Prov . Grand Master of Devonshire , vice the late Bro . Col . J . Tanner Davy , and H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught , Prov . Grand Mark Master of Sussex , vice the late Bro . Gerard Ford . Sundry Provincial and District Grand Masters have also had their tenure of office extended for a further period of three years , but no new Provinces or Districts have been created .
We have spoken of the occupation of Mark Masons' Hall , Great Queen-street , as being the most conspicuous event of the year , and so undoubtedl y it is , if we consider the importance ot the change , the great outlay , amounting to between / 7000 and / 8000 , which it has necessitated , and the increased responsibility which it places on the Executive in order to restore the capital of the General Fund
which has been wholly exhausted , and repay the large sum borrowed from the Benevolent Fund . But the most important event , after all , is the Annual Festival of the Mark Benevolent Fund , which was celebrated this year at the Freemasons ' Tavern , on Wednesday , the 23 rd of July , under the presidency of Bro . the Earl of Euston , who has succeeded to the office of Deputy Grand Master , vacated by Bro . the Marquess of Hertford , Pro Grand Master , in place of Bro . Lord
Freemasonry In 1890.
Egerton of Tatton . The amount raised in donations and subscriptions was ^ 2354 , or considerably more than the total realised at any other previous anniversary . We trust our record for 1891 will be equally , if not more , favourable .
CHIVALRIC AND HIGH GRADE MASONRY . The various organisations which are included under this head have on the whole maintained their position satisfactorily . The two most important are the Order of the Temple and the Ancient and Accepted Rite , the former of which , though we cannot discover that it has materially added to its strength , has shown during the year a greater degree of activity than usual . Unfortunately , the display of
increased energy has been partial , and it is to be hoped that the example set by several Provincial Priories in various parts of the country will be still more generally followed in future years . One event undoubtedly deserves especial mention , the presentation and unveiling of a statue of Godefroi de Bouillon in Lichfield Cathedral b y Sir Kni ght Charles Fendelow , Provincial Prior of Staffordshire , Warwickshire , and Leicestershire , on the Sth January . This statue of the
great Crusader was the gift of the Godefroi de Bouillon Preceptory of the Order , meeting at Stoke-on-Trent , who were desirous of assisting in this manner in decorating the sacred edifice . The Dean and Chapter gracefully accepted the statue , and the ceremony of unveiling it and formally entrusting it to the custod y of the cathedral authorities , was performed with much solemnity on the day mentioned . As regards the Ancient and Accepted Rite , the year has . been marked by fewer events of exceptional interest than 18 S 9 , but the Rite is as flourishing as
ever , and the zeal of its chapters shows no abatement . The proceedings of the Order of Rome and the Red Cross of Constantine and of the Royal Order of Scotland have not been characterised by any particular display of vigour , but the Rosicrucians appear to have considerably enlarged their borders , there being a new Province of Northumberland , Durham , and Berwick , under Frater Charles Fendelow as Chief Adept , with a college at Newcastle , of which Frater W . F . Carmon is M . of T .
OUR INSTITUTIONS . If it is not in our power to congratulate the authorities of our central Charitable Institutions on having entirely renewed that measure of prosperity which attended them generally during the four or five years preceding 1888 , we can at least express our satisfaction at the disappearance of that bitterness of spirit which appears to have actuated certain of the brethren in criticising the conduct of the
governing bodies of two of them , and at the almost complete restoration of that generous confidence on the part of the Craft generall y which is indispensably necessary to their efficient maintenance . In our Summary of last year we took occasion to refer in somewhat pointed terms to the hostility manifested in certain quarters towards the executive of the Boys' School , and likewise , though in a far less conspicuous degree , towards the management of the Royal Masonic
Benevolent Institution . This year , we rejoice to say , there has been less criticism , and what there has been has been conceived in a friendly instead of in an hostile spirit . The result has been that in the case of each of the three Institutions the machinery of government has worked more smoothly than in ordinary years , and though , as we have said , the support they have received has not been equal to that vouchsafed them in 18 S 6-7 , it has shown a substantial increase as compared with that of 188 9 .
The Anniversary Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution was held about the usual date—on the 26 th February . The Right Honourable the Lord Mayor of London , Bro . Alderman Sir H . A . Isaacs , W . M of the Drury Lane Lodge , No . 2127 , had kindly undertaken to preside as Chairman , but at the very last moment his lordship was prevented by illness from fulfilling his engagement , and his place was filled—and very ably filled—b y Bro . the Earl of Euston , Prov . Grand Master
of Northants and Hunts , who had presided so geniall y in 1889 . The Board of Stewards which our indefatigable Bro . James Terry succeeded in bringing together numbered 32 S brethren , London being represented by 175 Stewards , and the Provinces b y 15 S , and the result of their efforts was a total of donations and subscriptions which was announced as close on £ 13 , 100 , but which ultimately reached by the aid of additions and outstanding lists the very substantial figure of £ 13 , 840 .
This , though it was a few hundreds of pounds in excess of the 188 9 result , was less than the amount required for annuities , but nevertheless it was a goodly sum , and we have no doubt that when the year ' s accounts are made up the balance will be found on the right side . But the great difficulty with which the Committee of Management have been confronted with since 18 S 7 has been the steady increase in the number of candidates , especially of those on the list of the Widows' Fund ,
and that , too , in spite of the additions which have been made to the establishment at different periods . This year it was known some week or two previous to the Festival that the list of candidates for election at the annual general meeting in May would exceed 150 in number , and it was likewise known that the vacancies which would then be filled up would be comparatively few . The Committee , therefore , wisely took the bull by the horns , and determined on
seeing if by reasonable amendment of the rules defining the qualifications of candidates , it might not be [ possible to arrest this tendency to increase , and in so doing to bring the number within manageable compass . They there fore set about the task of revising the laws , and so effectually did they carry out their purpose , that the laws , as ultimately revised by them , were accepted unanimousl y in the first instance by the annual meeting of Governors and
Subscribers in May , and in the next b y Grand Lodge at its Quarterly Communication in June . It is not necessary that we should specify all the changes which have been adopted , and it will suffice if we state that in the case of both funds the male candidates or the late husbands of the widow candidates , must have been subscribing members of a lodge or lodges for at least 15 years—except in certain cases mentioned—instead of for 10 out of 15 years ; that widow candidates
must in future have attained the age of 60 years , instead of 55 years , years , as heretofore ; and that the income which a male candidate is allowed to have withuut disqualifying him has been reduced from £ 40 to , £ 30 a year . It remains to be seen what effect these changes will have , but our opinion is that in the course of a few years the lists will be less formidable in point of numbers
and therefore considerably more manageable . It remains for us to add that the annual meeting was held on the 16 th May , when the report of the Committee of Management was accepted , and 19 candidates out of a list of 65 on the Male Fund , and n candidates out of a list of 84 on the Widows' Fund were elected to the benefits of the Institution .
The Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , which has happily been free from the adverse criticisms that have affected the other Institutions , celebrated its 102 nd Anniversary on Tuesday , the 20 th May . Bro . Sir Francis Burdett , Bait ., Prov . Grand Master of Middlesex , occupied the chair , and as the result of the efforts made by a Board of Stewards comprising 253 brethren , of whom 120 acted for London and 133 for the Provinces , Bro . Hedges , the worthy Secretary ,
had the satisfaction of being able to announce a total of donations and subscriptions amounting to ^ n , 010 . This was more than double the sum obtained in 1 S 89 , and , with the permanent income arising from the interest on invested capital and the giants from Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter , will assuredly enable the authorities to give a good account of their stewardship when the year ' s accounts are made up . The elections
were held as usual in the spring and autumn , the number of girls ' elected at the Quarterly General Court , on Saturday , the 26 th of April , being 22 out of a list of 43 candidates , while at the Court held on Saturday , the ist November , 16 were elected out of a total list of 31 candidates . We must also mention that Bro . Henry Smith , P . G . D ., D . P . G . M . , West Yorkshire , is now Treasurer , in place of Bro . Horace B . Marshall , P . G . Treas ., while Bro . J . A . Rucker , one of the Trustees , died earl y in the year . As usual , the School has acquitted itself well at the public