Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Festival Of The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.
your support . Since this Institution was started it has aided with its pensions more than iooo brethren and widows of brethren of the Craft . At the present moment no fewer than 170 old brethren and 203 widows are in receipt of pensions of ^ 40 and £ 32 a year respectively from the funds of this Institution , and among these 33 are inmates of your home at Croydon . How is this work done ? It is done at a cost of something like £ ' 15 , 000 a year ; and
how is the sum provided ? Ibelievethat not more than £ 3600 yearly is provided from any certain source of income . There is a sum of something like £ 11 , 500 dependent annually upon the charitable gifts of our brethren of the Craft in England . This is a great matter . What I have said as to the expenditure has reference merely , I believe , to the present liabilities of your Benevolent Institution . It would be impossible I would venture to say for such an
Association as English Freemasonry to disappoint these old people of the pension which they legitimately reckon on receiving . But you must do more than this , because every year , as you must know , there are more candidates for the benefits of this Institution . At the present moment the Committee have before them no less than 119 approved Candidates waiting election . They are reckoning upon your bounty . They are proposing to
elect 19 more than the vacancies would warrant , but even then they can only elect , with any reasonable regard for safety , 35 out 119 . May I not say that you have a reason for the utmost liberality that you can exercise . Remember that this is a constantly recurring need . This Association is , I think , only about 43 years old , part of it even less . It had at its initiation to incur considerable trials and difficulties . Manv brethren of eminence
doubted whether it was possible for an additional Charity to be added to those already existing in the Craft—whether the Craft could provide sufficient funds for the maintenance of such a Charity as this whether it would not conflict with other claims—whether the Board of Benevolence of Grand Lodge did not already sufficiently supply the needs of decayed brethren . All those doubts had to be met , and I will venture to
say that if this Institution at its birth had not been a very strong and vigorous infant it would have perished before it came to perfection . ( Hear , hear . ) But , brethren , all these difficulties and doubts were surmounted , and the way in which they had been surmounted is perhaps the most extraordinary thing in the charitable records of this charitable country . I will venture to say that 30 years ago , whether we look to the number of
Stewards at the Festival of the Institution , to the amount of the contributions , or to the great interest felt by the Craft in the Institution ; there was not one-tenth of those funds of those Stewards , or of the interest that there is at the present moment . ( Cheers . ) It has grown with marvellous rapidity , and I look to you to-night to provide for a further increase of the benefits of this Charity —( Cheers)—because , brethren , I think I may assure
you that this Charity fulfils certainly two of those requirements , which all of us in giving Charity should bear in mind . It is , in the first place , a Charity to the needy . There is a most careful sifting of the situation in life and the means of the candidates for its benefits , not only when they are placed on the list of candidates , but also periodically by the Committee which manages the Institution , more than that care taken , that where relatives can aid
those for whom they are responsible , those relatives should be compelled to give aid before persons can become recipients of this Charity . Then , brethren , the candidates are deserving objects . The brethren who are chosen as candidates are brethren of standing and character in Masonry , and not men who had entered Masonry in order to profit by it , but brethren who deserve your help . And remember , brethren , that their
widows have been the dear partners in hie of such brethren , and I will venture to say that every case which appears on the list of candidates , is the case of a person who has been well to do in his past life—often wealthy , always well to do , utterly unfit to cope with the workhouse . ( Cheers . ) You deliver them by your Charity from that which to persons of this class would often be worse than death itself , and in delivering them you maintain the
character of our Craft , by that virtue which above all we ought to cherish among us . Some may think that the claims of helpless children appeal more strongly to our sympathies than those of the old folks and their widows . ( No . ) I wish anybody who thinks so would do what I did on Saturday last , and go to the Institution at Croydon . He would see the quiet , peaceful comfort , free from anxiety , in which you enable
these old people to live . He would see the cordial and kindly relations which exist between them and the Committee which manages the Institution and its officials . He would be touched , and touched deeply , by the gratitude which all these old people testify to your bounty , and by the interest which they show that this Festival shall be made , not so much for their own sakes , as for others who may share similar benefits to those
which they enjoy . ( Cheers . ) Brethren , I assure you that , in my earnest belief , the toast which I recommend to you is success to that which is a true Charity . All your contributions , as probably you know , go directly to its benefit . ( Hear , hear . ) Finally , I need only remind you of that day in the Masonic life of all of us , on which you were admitted as candidates into Masonry , poor and penniless , and of the admiration which we then expressed
of that virtue—Charity—which is not only one of the principal articles of the Masonic creed , but which is the distinguishing virtue in the heart of every true Mason . ( Cheers . ) I am sure you hope with me that this will be a memorable day not only to those who are office bearers or subscribers to-ni ght , but to the old folk on whose behalf I have , however feebly , tried to plead to you , and , above all , to that Craft whose prosperity and welfare is the dearest
wish of all of you in this country . Bro . FRANK RICHARDSON , P . G . D .: Bro . Chairman and Brethren , as I am Vice-President of this Institution , I rise with pleasure to return thanks for the manner in which you have proposed success to the Institution . But I have more than that to do now on behalf of the Institution , and through them , on behalf of those who have borne the heat and burden of the day , I nave to return you our heartfelt thanks for the manner in which you , Sir , have presided on this occasion , and this glorious Board of Stewards have
seconded your efforts . You , Sir , have so well advocated the cause of this Charity that I feel that any words from me would be out of place . On looking over the list of 300 Stewards who have to-night followed your lead 1 feel that we have a glorious list , and therefore I feel satisfied that I should be onl y meeting the wishes of all the brethren if I give place to our Bro . terry , who will read the list . And this having been done ,
Bro . Col . LYNE , Prov . Grand Master for Monmouth : Brethren , I must command your silence while I propose the next toast , which is that of " The Chairman . " "Good wine needs no bush , " and no oratory is needed from me to commend this toast to your warm and cordial reception . We are "" . very deep and lasting obligations to your Chairman for the manner in which he has conducted the duties of this evening , and for the time he has aeyoted to this noble cause . We all know the onerous and important outies which he has to perform , yet , notwithstanding these , he has devoted
Festival Of The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.
not only this evening , but I am sure many , very mail }' , hours in arriving at this satisfactory state we have arrived at this evening . While I congratulate Sir M . H . Beach , I think I may also venture to congratulate him on the success of this meeting . I am old enough to remember when we thought we did very great things indeed when we got up £ 1000 for this Institution .
That sum , however , has now increased , till at this moment there is no less a sum than £ 17 , 600 . I think this will be a great gratification to him , and I am sure his kind heart will feel that he has not devoted his time to this Institution in vain . I congratulate him most sincerely , and I ask you to drink his health most cordially .
The CHAIRMAN : Brethren , I thank you most heartily for the kindness with which you have received me , and also for the kind way in which you have welcomed this toast . I thank my Bro . Lyne for the way in which he has proposed my health . I can assure you that it is a matter to me of the deepest satisfaction and thankfulness that this festival should have had so triumphant a result as has been announced to you to-night . If I have had ,
in the opinion of any single brother present , the smallest share in bringing about that result I am more than rewarded for anything I have done . I shall say no more about myself , but in replying to the toast of one's health one may be pardoned for a little egotism , and I do want to say something to you of the province of which I am proud . We are a small body of Masons in Gloucestershire—I don ' t think we are 600 all told . We are not by any at this time well off
means very . We have 14 lodges and three Royal Arch Chapters . Everyone of those lod ges and chapters is represented by a Steward at this Festival , and most are represented by several Stewards . The brethren in our province—one out of every 10—is a Steward at this Festival ; and out of the total number of brethren in the province—600—we have raised something like £ 1200 for the benefit of your Institution . That
is due mainly to our Deputy Grand Master , Bro . Brook-Smith , and our energetic Secretary , Bro . Trinder ; but it is due also to the Masonic Charity of the brethren of the province . And why I wish to mention it to you to-night is not for the sake of invidious comparison , but because I would say to other brethren and provinces " Go and do likewise . " What we have done every province in England may do . I am sure you will join with me , because you are anxious and warm supporters of the
Benevolent Institution , who thank your Gloucestershire brethren for what they have done this year . If I may venture to do so I would ask you to join with me in my warmest thanks for that which I well know is not only a token of their charitable feelings , but also of their kindly feelings towards myself . I am proud to represent such a province as this . I am thankful to have had the opportunity of presiding over you to-night , and I do not think I shall ever forget either the triumphant result of this Festival or the share which my own people in Gloucestershire have had in it .
The REV . C . J . MARTYN , P . G . C ., D . P . G . IM . for Suffolk : Brethren , it is with very great pleasure indeed I rise to propose a toast which must be dear to all our hearts . We must recollect we have other Charities . I feel that in standing to propose success to those other Charities I stand in a very proud position indeed , because I am intimatel y connected with the Province of Suffolk , which always supports the other Charities b y sending up a Steward to
every Festival . I stand here to-night as an old Past Master of Gloucestershire , and a Pist Grand Warden of Gloucestershire , and I am very proud indeed that Gloucestershire has done so much . I recognise in your President a very dear old friend , and I am exceedingly happy to support him . I give you "Success to the Girls' School and the Boys ' School , " and I ask you to do all you can to promote their success by supporting them at their Festivals in May and June .
Bro . HEDGES responded on behalf of the Boys' and Girls' School . He congratulated the Benevolent Institution on the magnificent result of that night's Festival , and in doing so took the opportunity of including in that congratulation the Province of Gloucester and the Chairman ; nor could he fail to remember that at a recent Festival of the Girls' School , Bro . Sir Michael Hicks Beach had presided , and was then , as now , loyally supported by his province , £ 1000 having been raised by them on that occasion .
Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE , G . Sec , proposed "The Stewards . " He said : I am sure we all rejoice exceedingly at the successful meeting we have had to-night and at the magnificent results of the lists that we have lately heard read . Let me ask you one practical question . Should we have a Festival at all here to-night or any list to read if it were not for the invaluable services of a noble band of brethren who have conduced entirely to the success of this meeting ? I refer to the Board of Stewards . Most of us in
our time have served the office of Steward , and we know what a thankless office it is . We have to use our persuasiveness in every direction in order to make our list a respectable one . To-night that band of brothers has come forward in a most admirable way . We have over 300 Stewards , and from the province of Gloucestershire alone we have received nearly £ 1200 . I therefore think you will unanimously and cordially agree with me that we should not part without giving them our thanks for putting their shoulders so
nobly to the wheel . As Dr . Brook-Smith has left the room , I couple with the toast the name of Dr , Kynaston . Bro . Dr . KYNASTON replied . Bro . Baron DE FERRIERES , P . G . D ., proposed "The Ladies , " after which the brethren adjourned to the Temple to a concert .
The following are the artistes who performed the musical portion of the entertainment , which was under the direction of W . Bro . Prof . Edwin M . Lott , assisted by Miss Margaret Hoare , Miss Maud Cameron , Miss Amy Sargent , Madame Raymond , Miss Eliza Thomas , Bros . Sidney Tower
, Arthur Weston , T . Tremere , and E gbert Roberts . The instrumentalists were Miss Nellie Hamilton , Bros . J . Kilt , and Professor Edwin M . Lott , Grand Organist . The banquet was admirably served under the personal superintendence of Bro . Dawkins .
The favour worn on the occasion by the Stewards was embellished with the arms of the Chairman , Sir M . Hicks-Beach , Bart ., M . P ., impressed on a Maltese cross , with his crest surmounting it , and his motto , " Tout en bon heure , " encircling it . The favour , which was manufactured by Bro . George Kenning , gave general satisfaction .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Festival Of The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.
your support . Since this Institution was started it has aided with its pensions more than iooo brethren and widows of brethren of the Craft . At the present moment no fewer than 170 old brethren and 203 widows are in receipt of pensions of ^ 40 and £ 32 a year respectively from the funds of this Institution , and among these 33 are inmates of your home at Croydon . How is this work done ? It is done at a cost of something like £ ' 15 , 000 a year ; and
how is the sum provided ? Ibelievethat not more than £ 3600 yearly is provided from any certain source of income . There is a sum of something like £ 11 , 500 dependent annually upon the charitable gifts of our brethren of the Craft in England . This is a great matter . What I have said as to the expenditure has reference merely , I believe , to the present liabilities of your Benevolent Institution . It would be impossible I would venture to say for such an
Association as English Freemasonry to disappoint these old people of the pension which they legitimately reckon on receiving . But you must do more than this , because every year , as you must know , there are more candidates for the benefits of this Institution . At the present moment the Committee have before them no less than 119 approved Candidates waiting election . They are reckoning upon your bounty . They are proposing to
elect 19 more than the vacancies would warrant , but even then they can only elect , with any reasonable regard for safety , 35 out 119 . May I not say that you have a reason for the utmost liberality that you can exercise . Remember that this is a constantly recurring need . This Association is , I think , only about 43 years old , part of it even less . It had at its initiation to incur considerable trials and difficulties . Manv brethren of eminence
doubted whether it was possible for an additional Charity to be added to those already existing in the Craft—whether the Craft could provide sufficient funds for the maintenance of such a Charity as this whether it would not conflict with other claims—whether the Board of Benevolence of Grand Lodge did not already sufficiently supply the needs of decayed brethren . All those doubts had to be met , and I will venture to
say that if this Institution at its birth had not been a very strong and vigorous infant it would have perished before it came to perfection . ( Hear , hear . ) But , brethren , all these difficulties and doubts were surmounted , and the way in which they had been surmounted is perhaps the most extraordinary thing in the charitable records of this charitable country . I will venture to say that 30 years ago , whether we look to the number of
Stewards at the Festival of the Institution , to the amount of the contributions , or to the great interest felt by the Craft in the Institution ; there was not one-tenth of those funds of those Stewards , or of the interest that there is at the present moment . ( Cheers . ) It has grown with marvellous rapidity , and I look to you to-night to provide for a further increase of the benefits of this Charity —( Cheers)—because , brethren , I think I may assure
you that this Charity fulfils certainly two of those requirements , which all of us in giving Charity should bear in mind . It is , in the first place , a Charity to the needy . There is a most careful sifting of the situation in life and the means of the candidates for its benefits , not only when they are placed on the list of candidates , but also periodically by the Committee which manages the Institution , more than that care taken , that where relatives can aid
those for whom they are responsible , those relatives should be compelled to give aid before persons can become recipients of this Charity . Then , brethren , the candidates are deserving objects . The brethren who are chosen as candidates are brethren of standing and character in Masonry , and not men who had entered Masonry in order to profit by it , but brethren who deserve your help . And remember , brethren , that their
widows have been the dear partners in hie of such brethren , and I will venture to say that every case which appears on the list of candidates , is the case of a person who has been well to do in his past life—often wealthy , always well to do , utterly unfit to cope with the workhouse . ( Cheers . ) You deliver them by your Charity from that which to persons of this class would often be worse than death itself , and in delivering them you maintain the
character of our Craft , by that virtue which above all we ought to cherish among us . Some may think that the claims of helpless children appeal more strongly to our sympathies than those of the old folks and their widows . ( No . ) I wish anybody who thinks so would do what I did on Saturday last , and go to the Institution at Croydon . He would see the quiet , peaceful comfort , free from anxiety , in which you enable
these old people to live . He would see the cordial and kindly relations which exist between them and the Committee which manages the Institution and its officials . He would be touched , and touched deeply , by the gratitude which all these old people testify to your bounty , and by the interest which they show that this Festival shall be made , not so much for their own sakes , as for others who may share similar benefits to those
which they enjoy . ( Cheers . ) Brethren , I assure you that , in my earnest belief , the toast which I recommend to you is success to that which is a true Charity . All your contributions , as probably you know , go directly to its benefit . ( Hear , hear . ) Finally , I need only remind you of that day in the Masonic life of all of us , on which you were admitted as candidates into Masonry , poor and penniless , and of the admiration which we then expressed
of that virtue—Charity—which is not only one of the principal articles of the Masonic creed , but which is the distinguishing virtue in the heart of every true Mason . ( Cheers . ) I am sure you hope with me that this will be a memorable day not only to those who are office bearers or subscribers to-ni ght , but to the old folk on whose behalf I have , however feebly , tried to plead to you , and , above all , to that Craft whose prosperity and welfare is the dearest
wish of all of you in this country . Bro . FRANK RICHARDSON , P . G . D .: Bro . Chairman and Brethren , as I am Vice-President of this Institution , I rise with pleasure to return thanks for the manner in which you have proposed success to the Institution . But I have more than that to do now on behalf of the Institution , and through them , on behalf of those who have borne the heat and burden of the day , I nave to return you our heartfelt thanks for the manner in which you , Sir , have presided on this occasion , and this glorious Board of Stewards have
seconded your efforts . You , Sir , have so well advocated the cause of this Charity that I feel that any words from me would be out of place . On looking over the list of 300 Stewards who have to-night followed your lead 1 feel that we have a glorious list , and therefore I feel satisfied that I should be onl y meeting the wishes of all the brethren if I give place to our Bro . terry , who will read the list . And this having been done ,
Bro . Col . LYNE , Prov . Grand Master for Monmouth : Brethren , I must command your silence while I propose the next toast , which is that of " The Chairman . " "Good wine needs no bush , " and no oratory is needed from me to commend this toast to your warm and cordial reception . We are "" . very deep and lasting obligations to your Chairman for the manner in which he has conducted the duties of this evening , and for the time he has aeyoted to this noble cause . We all know the onerous and important outies which he has to perform , yet , notwithstanding these , he has devoted
Festival Of The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.
not only this evening , but I am sure many , very mail }' , hours in arriving at this satisfactory state we have arrived at this evening . While I congratulate Sir M . H . Beach , I think I may also venture to congratulate him on the success of this meeting . I am old enough to remember when we thought we did very great things indeed when we got up £ 1000 for this Institution .
That sum , however , has now increased , till at this moment there is no less a sum than £ 17 , 600 . I think this will be a great gratification to him , and I am sure his kind heart will feel that he has not devoted his time to this Institution in vain . I congratulate him most sincerely , and I ask you to drink his health most cordially .
The CHAIRMAN : Brethren , I thank you most heartily for the kindness with which you have received me , and also for the kind way in which you have welcomed this toast . I thank my Bro . Lyne for the way in which he has proposed my health . I can assure you that it is a matter to me of the deepest satisfaction and thankfulness that this festival should have had so triumphant a result as has been announced to you to-night . If I have had ,
in the opinion of any single brother present , the smallest share in bringing about that result I am more than rewarded for anything I have done . I shall say no more about myself , but in replying to the toast of one's health one may be pardoned for a little egotism , and I do want to say something to you of the province of which I am proud . We are a small body of Masons in Gloucestershire—I don ' t think we are 600 all told . We are not by any at this time well off
means very . We have 14 lodges and three Royal Arch Chapters . Everyone of those lod ges and chapters is represented by a Steward at this Festival , and most are represented by several Stewards . The brethren in our province—one out of every 10—is a Steward at this Festival ; and out of the total number of brethren in the province—600—we have raised something like £ 1200 for the benefit of your Institution . That
is due mainly to our Deputy Grand Master , Bro . Brook-Smith , and our energetic Secretary , Bro . Trinder ; but it is due also to the Masonic Charity of the brethren of the province . And why I wish to mention it to you to-night is not for the sake of invidious comparison , but because I would say to other brethren and provinces " Go and do likewise . " What we have done every province in England may do . I am sure you will join with me , because you are anxious and warm supporters of the
Benevolent Institution , who thank your Gloucestershire brethren for what they have done this year . If I may venture to do so I would ask you to join with me in my warmest thanks for that which I well know is not only a token of their charitable feelings , but also of their kindly feelings towards myself . I am proud to represent such a province as this . I am thankful to have had the opportunity of presiding over you to-night , and I do not think I shall ever forget either the triumphant result of this Festival or the share which my own people in Gloucestershire have had in it .
The REV . C . J . MARTYN , P . G . C ., D . P . G . IM . for Suffolk : Brethren , it is with very great pleasure indeed I rise to propose a toast which must be dear to all our hearts . We must recollect we have other Charities . I feel that in standing to propose success to those other Charities I stand in a very proud position indeed , because I am intimatel y connected with the Province of Suffolk , which always supports the other Charities b y sending up a Steward to
every Festival . I stand here to-night as an old Past Master of Gloucestershire , and a Pist Grand Warden of Gloucestershire , and I am very proud indeed that Gloucestershire has done so much . I recognise in your President a very dear old friend , and I am exceedingly happy to support him . I give you "Success to the Girls' School and the Boys ' School , " and I ask you to do all you can to promote their success by supporting them at their Festivals in May and June .
Bro . HEDGES responded on behalf of the Boys' and Girls' School . He congratulated the Benevolent Institution on the magnificent result of that night's Festival , and in doing so took the opportunity of including in that congratulation the Province of Gloucester and the Chairman ; nor could he fail to remember that at a recent Festival of the Girls' School , Bro . Sir Michael Hicks Beach had presided , and was then , as now , loyally supported by his province , £ 1000 having been raised by them on that occasion .
Col . SHADWELL H . CLERKE , G . Sec , proposed "The Stewards . " He said : I am sure we all rejoice exceedingly at the successful meeting we have had to-night and at the magnificent results of the lists that we have lately heard read . Let me ask you one practical question . Should we have a Festival at all here to-night or any list to read if it were not for the invaluable services of a noble band of brethren who have conduced entirely to the success of this meeting ? I refer to the Board of Stewards . Most of us in
our time have served the office of Steward , and we know what a thankless office it is . We have to use our persuasiveness in every direction in order to make our list a respectable one . To-night that band of brothers has come forward in a most admirable way . We have over 300 Stewards , and from the province of Gloucestershire alone we have received nearly £ 1200 . I therefore think you will unanimously and cordially agree with me that we should not part without giving them our thanks for putting their shoulders so
nobly to the wheel . As Dr . Brook-Smith has left the room , I couple with the toast the name of Dr , Kynaston . Bro . Dr . KYNASTON replied . Bro . Baron DE FERRIERES , P . G . D ., proposed "The Ladies , " after which the brethren adjourned to the Temple to a concert .
The following are the artistes who performed the musical portion of the entertainment , which was under the direction of W . Bro . Prof . Edwin M . Lott , assisted by Miss Margaret Hoare , Miss Maud Cameron , Miss Amy Sargent , Madame Raymond , Miss Eliza Thomas , Bros . Sidney Tower
, Arthur Weston , T . Tremere , and E gbert Roberts . The instrumentalists were Miss Nellie Hamilton , Bros . J . Kilt , and Professor Edwin M . Lott , Grand Organist . The banquet was admirably served under the personal superintendence of Bro . Dawkins .
The favour worn on the occasion by the Stewards was embellished with the arms of the Chairman , Sir M . Hicks-Beach , Bart ., M . P ., impressed on a Maltese cross , with his crest surmounting it , and his motto , " Tout en bon heure , " encircling it . The favour , which was manufactured by Bro . George Kenning , gave general satisfaction .