Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The annual general meeting was held in the great hall of the Freemasons' Tavern , on Friday , the 20 th inst . Bro . Edgar Bowyer , Patron , Trustee , & o , presided , and there was a very full attendance of brethren . The minutes of the annual general meeting of the 21 st

May , tSS 6 , having been taken as read , The SECRETARY announced , amid manifestations of general satisfaction , that R . W . Bro . Sir George Elliot , Bart ., M . P ., Provincial Grand Master of the Eastern Division of South Wales , had kindly consented to preside at the Anniversary Festival , which will be held on the 29 th February , 1 SS 8 . The report of the Auditors' was read , and ordered to be

entered on the minutes , and then the following report by the Committee of Management of the proceedings of the past year vvas read , approved , and ordered to be recorded in the minutes : "The Committee of Management has much pleasure in submitting a report of its proceedings during the past year to the Governors and Subscribers of the Institution .

"The annual Festival was held by direction of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , K . G ., & c , Grand Patron and President , on Tuesday , the 22 nd February last . W . Wither B . Beach , Esq ., M . P ., R . W . Provincial Grand Master of Hampshire and the Isle of Wight , presided , and the Board of Stewards 384 in number , which supported him , vvere successful in raising amongst them

the munificent sum of £ 19 , 229 ios . This grand total , which considerably exceeds the amount subscribed at any previous Festival in behalf of this Institution , cannot be otherwise than gratifying , not only to the general body of the English Craft but likewise , and in an especial degree , to the Right Worshipful Brother in the chair , and the Stewards who laboured so earnestly and energetically to

promote his advocacy . Moreover , large as the sum undoubtedly is , there are grounds for anticipating that , before the year is ended , it will be supplemented by many further contributions . The Province of West Yorkshire is engaged in raising 2000 guineas ( £ 2100 ) to enable it to purchase the right of two perpetual presentations to the Widows' Fund , —that of East

Lancashire has entered upon a similar task , and the Province of Cumberland and Westmoreland has resolved on contributing 1000 guineas ( £ 1050 ) . These undertakings which are already in progress , furnish the best of reasons for believing that the subscriptions obtained during the Jubilee year of her Majesty's reign will approximate closely to , if they do not exceed , a total including the

grant of £ 1000 from United Grand Lodge of £ 2 , 4500 , or about £ 1500 more than has been realised at any Anniversary Festival held in behalf of a Masonic Institution , under these circumstances , it becomes the duty of the Committee , and it is needless to say the duty is fulfilled with the most genuine pleasure , to place on record its deep sense of gratitude to the Right Worshipful Bro . W . B .

Beach , M . P ., and his numerous body of Stewards for their successful services on the occasion . "The Committee has also to report , that in consequence of the unprecedented success attendantontheunceasingand urgent appeals on behalf of this Institution , the sum of 100 guineas was presented to the Secretary in acknowledgment of the zeal shown by him during the past 12 months .

" At the election in May , tSS 6 , there were upon the funds of the Institution 375 Annuitants , namely , 173 men , and 202 widows . To-day there are 128 approved candidates , of whom 51 are men , and 77 widows , and the Committee having determined at its Meeting , in February , that there should be elected from this list 9 men ( 6 immediate and 3 deferred ) , and 28 widows , that is to say , 25

additional , to be admitted immediately , and three deferred , who , in the then entire absence of vacancies , would otherwise have been the only widows to be balloted for an this occasion , the total number of annuitants will now be 400 , namely , 173 men , and 227 widows . " But in the interval that has elapsed since the February meeting there have died 2 men and 13 widows , so that as

regards the former , there will have to be 11 men elected , while as regards the widows , the number to be elected will remain at 28 , it having been resolved that such Annuities as might fall vacant during the interim should be considered part of the authorised increase of 25 . When , however , the Committee came to this determination , it was not foreseen , nor could it have been anticipated , that the

Festival of the year would have been productive of so splendid a total , and as it seems desirable that the overwhelming disproportion still existing between the number of applicants and the number of vacancies—particularly in the case of the Widows' Fund—should be reduced as far as possible , consistently with the future financial security of the Institution , the Committee considers itself justified

in recommending that the 13 vacancies in the Widows ' Fund caused by death , should be filled up , and to further increase the number of male annuitants by 5 . In the event of this recommendation being adopted , there will then be ' 78 Annuitants , each receiving £ 40 per annum , on the Male Fund , and 227 Annuitants , each receiving £ 32 per annum , on the Widows' Fund , the total sum annually

distributable amongst these 405 Annuitants amounting to £ 14 , 384 . To this must be added a further £ 200 divisible under Law 9 ( Male Fund ) among the Widows 10 in number , of recently deceased Male Annuitants , so that the annual expenditure on account of Annuities only , will henceforth amount to £ 14 ,, 84 , and the Committee trusts this large outlay will suffice , at all events for some years , to

meet the average demands on the resources of the Institution . A time must come vvhen it will be impossible , without serious risk , to further increase the responsibilities that have been incurred . . ' The Committee take this opportunity of recording its sincere thanks to United Grand Lodge , both for the grant ot £ 1000 from the Fund of General Purposes and its

renewed subsidy of £ 70 towards providing the residents of " ¦ e Institution at Croydon vvith coal during the winter months . ,, 'It is also desirous of conveying its cordial thanks to jne honorary surgeons of the Institution ( Henry J . Strong , ? sq ., M . D ., and R . Percv Middlemist , Esct . ) for their

invaluable services and unremitting attention to those among f annuitants , both resident and non-resident , vvho have oeen unfortunately compelled to seek medical advice and assistance . It is likewise most gratifying to the Committee to be t n a position to report that the building at Croydon is in a

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

complete state of repair , and only needs that care and supervi-ion which are requisite in the case of all similar buildings . J * " The audited statement of account for the year ended the 31 st March , 18 S 7 , is appended , and , in laying it before the Governors and Subscribers , the Committee , while inviting the most rigorous examination of its details , is confident

it will be found that a scrupulously just economy has been exercised in administering the funds of the Institution . It therefore hopes that the appeals which it will be its duty to address to the Governors and Subscribers for a continuance in the future of that generous support which has been so loyally accorded to it in the past , will not be made in

vain . " It remains for the Committee to express its earnest hope that the English Craft generally will be as liberal as heretofore in contributing the large amount of funds which is indispensable to the maintenance of the Institution in its present high state of efficiency . So long as Freemasonry remains among our most cherished Institutions in

this country , so long will there be a number , more or less considerable according to the varying circumstances of the times , of indigent brethren and widows of brethren , whose sore distresses it vvas one of the proudest privileges of our Society to alleviate as far as possible ; and the Committee is persuaded that no existing Masonic organisation is able to cope so readily and efficaciously with those distresses as

tbe Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . May a continuance even in an enhanced degree , of the support so imperatively needed be always forthcoming . " Bros . West , Skudder , and Martin , having been elected members of the General Committee , a motion by Bro . ROBERT WYLIE , seconded by Bro . BIRCH , for the appointment of a Committee of five brethren to take counsel vvith

the Boys' and Girls' Schools Committees as to the advisability of making other arrangements for the Spring Elections , vvas adopted . Bro . Edgar Bowyer , Patron , P . G . Std . Br ., was unanimously elected I reasurer of the Institution , and Bros . Tattershall , Berry , and Newton , Auditors . Scrutineers having been appointed for conducting the

election , it vvas announced that two men and 13 widows had died since the proxies were issued , and that the numbers to be elected that day vvould be 16 men and 41 widows , of whom 13 men and 38 widows vvould be immediate annuitants and the remaining three in each case deferred . The ballot was then proceeded with , and carried on till three p . m ., when the poll closed .

Later on the result in the case of the Widows' Fund vvas declared , but in that of the Male Fund a Scrutiny vvas held the day following , when the result vvas made known . A vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings . For tbe successful candidates see our advertisement columns , but as regards the unsuccessful candidates , about whom information can be obtained at the offices of

the Institution , we beg to state that the Hervey Memorial and the Emulation Lodge of Improvement Funds , were distributed as follows : Hervey Memorial Fund : Men—Bros . W . Bennett ( £ 7 ios . ) and J . Smith ( £ 7 ) . Widows—Mrs . Themans ( £ 7 ios . ) and Coles ( £ 7 ) . Emulation Lodge of Instruction Fund : Bro . Geo . Cubitt and Mrs . Read , £ 5 each .

Supper At The Chaucer Lodge Of Instruction, No. 1540.

SUPPER AT THE CHAUCER LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 1540 .

A supper in connection vvith the above increasing and popular lodge of instruction took place at the Old White Hart , Borough , on the 28 th ult ., under the presidency of Bro . T . J . Robins , P . M . 25 , supported by Bro . T , Croaker , P . M . 185 , and the following brethren : Bros . Walter Wingham , Preceptor ; F . H . Williams , Secretary ; W .

Roots , G . Austin , F . W . Farmer , Fullick , S . Renaut , Hattersley , Thompson , Briley , Hart , and Murray . Visitors Bros . G . Reynolds , J . W . 1614 , Secretary 2191 ; Large , P . M . 1607 ; Gushing , W . M . elect 1607 ; Rose , Stwd , 1607 ; Phillips , 1 S 39 ; Green , 1614 ; and others . After the brethren had done justice to the good things placed before them by Bro . S . Renaut , the much-respected

host , Bro . T . J . ROBINS , in proposing the usual loyal and Masonic toasts , spoke in glowing terms of " The Queen , " and the good she is always doing , and the interest both she and the M . W . G . M ., the Prince of Wales , took in all three Charities , and hoped that in the Jubilee year the Charities would benefit , much from the proposed great gathering of the Craft at the Royal Albert Hall .

Bro . T . CRDAKER , in proposing "The Health of the Chairman , Bro . T . J . Robins , " spoke of him in eulogistic terms , and at the same time said he knew they were all pleased to see him amongst them that evening . No more popular brother could have been chosen to occupy the chair . He vvas well known in Southwark , always at work for the poor , and looking well to Charity .

Bro . P . J . ROBINS thanked Bro . T . Croaker for the kind words vvhich had fallen from his lips , and also the brethren for drinking his health so heartily . He eould assure them it gave him great pleasure to be amongst them . He vvas almost the first member of the Chaucer Lodge of Instruction , and he had its interest at heart , and would promise them that he would come more amongst them . He

had now a very pleasant duty to perform , and that vvas to propose "The Health of the Visitors . " They were all known to the brethren present . He was indeed pleased to see amongst them that evening Bro . G . Reynolds , his old friend and brother , whom he had known for many years

and the brethren also knew him , both as a hard working Mason and as Secretary to the Covent Garden Lodge of Instruction , where he is generally to be found on Thursday evenings at the Criterion , Piccadilly . He hoped the visitors had had a pleasant and enjoyable evening . No doubt had the weather been finer more would have been

present , but he could assure the visitors that the Chaucer Lodge of Instruction was pleased to welcome them , and trusted they would come again , not only to the supper , but to the instruction . Bro . G . REYNOLDS , ^ reply , thanked Bro . T . J . Robins for the kind manner in which he had spoken of him , and

the brethren for the hearty way in which his health had been drunk . He had come amongst them under great difficulties ; the firstwas tearing himself away from his wife , who wondered how he could go out on such a wet night , but that difficulty vvas got over by a hansom cab , where so few are co be found at the West-end ; and the other difficulty vvas tearing himself away from the Covent Garden

Supper At The Chaucer Lodge Of Instruction, No. 1540.

Lodge 01 Instruction that evening . He quite astonished the worthy Tyler vvhen he told him he was going to another lodgeof instruction . He had known their worthy Chairman many years , long before he had embraced the mysteries and privileges of Freemasonry . Somehow or the other , he was always happy with Bro . Robins , whether in Masonry or at Ramsgate , or taking a pleasant trip to Boulogne . He

had heard much of the Chaucer Lodge of Instruction , and hoped to come amongst them to work , and to be instructed by their worthy Preceptor , Bro . VV , Wingham , whom he had met for the first time at Margate in a pleasant little hostelry , and where Bro . Wingham recruited his health for his arduous duties as Preceptor . He thanked them all very much for the kindness shown towards him that evening , and he wished the Chaucer Lodge of Instruction every

success . Bro . ROSE , in replying , said he was but a young Mason , but could assure the brethren he felt flattered by being called upon to respond for the visitors . It vvas his opinion that lodges of instruction were not appreciated as they should be . They were the backbone of Freemasonry , and much more was to be learned from them than from mother

lodges , where no Fifteen Sections vvere worked . In the Fifteen Sections the beauties , he thought , of Freemasonry were fully described , and no brother who took an interest in Freemasonry could be tired of listening to them . In thanking the brethren for the kind and hearty manner in vvhich the health of the visitors had been drunk , he trusted soon to be amongst them for instruction , and he hoped some

evening to hear the Sections worked , in which he took great interest , and he wished all connected with the Chaucer Lodge of Instruction health to carry out the duties connected with it . Bro . T . J . ROBINS said now it was his privilege , and he could assure the brethren it was also a great pleasure to him , to propose the toast of the evening—and that vvas

"Success to the Chaucer Lodgeof Instruction , " coupling vvith the toast the names of Bros . VV . Wingham , Preceptor ; T . Croaker , Treasurer ; and F . H . Williams , Secretary . He vvas quite deli g hted to hear from them that ihe hiucer Lodge of instruction vvas doing quiet and good work . He himself vvas one of the founders of ihe lod ^ e of instruction , and had been helped much in his different offices as he

worked up to the position of W . M . of the Robert Burns Lodge . The attendance of brethren at the Chaucer Lodge of Instruction had steadily increased , and hupad would still continue to do so . Lodges of instruction vvere not supported as they should be , especially by the officers in lodges . All officers in lodges , including the W . M ., should work together , and where better than in a Iodge of instruction . '

Then the work to be done in lodges would be more perfect . Their worthy Preceptor , Bro . VV . Wingham , vvas a young Mason to be Preceptor . The more creditdue to him . He had worked hard in Masonry , and took a great delight in instructing others . He had a wonderful memory , which vvas a great gift and assistance . What one brother took years to learn , another would learn in a few months . Bro .

VV . Wingham vvas well-known amongst them , was a good Mason , a first-rate fellow , and he wished him health to carry on his arduous duties as Preceptor to the Chaucer Lodgeof Instruction . Bro . T . Croaker was also well known on the south side of the water ; vvas a capital Treasurer , took every care of the funds , and he vvould be glad if more vvere put into his care , and Bro . F . H . Williams vvas a capital

Secretary , working hard for the benefit of the Chaucer Lodge of Instruction . He could say with certainty that if it had not been for Bro . Williams's indefatigable perseverance the lodge of instiuction vvould have ceased to exist . Hewould ask the brethren to drink prosperity to the Chaucer Lodge of Instruction , and also to the health of Bros . W . Wingham , T . Croaker , and F . H . Williams .

Bro . W . WlNGHAM , Preceptor , in replying , thanked the brethren for the kind and hearty manner in vvhich his health had been drunk , and also their worthy Chairman for the kind way in which he had spoken of him . He could assure the brethren that vvhen he accepted the Preceptorship of the Chaucer Lodge of Instruction , he felt he vvas undertaking a great responsibility and a most

important duty . He wondered at one time whether there vvould be a sufficient attendance of brethren to keep the lodge of instruction going . He was happy to say by their generosity all vvas going well , and they were now in a good and flourishing position . He could assure the brethren he would do his very best for the welfare of the lodge , and he hoped the number of attendances would increase , as it gave

him great encouragement to persevere in his duties as Preceptor . The brethren attending vvere making good progress in the ritual , and that did his heart good , and he hoped that each brother as he came on for office in their different lodges would do his work not only to the satisfaction of the W . M . but to the brethren , thus showing the usefulness of lodges of instruction , and that they were

the proper schools to learn every duty connected with a mother lodge . Bro . T . CROAKER thanked thebrethren for all their good wishes towards the Chaucer Lodgeof Instruction , and said the more attendances there were the better he vvas pleased , and the more cash received the better for the Charities . Bro . F . H . WILLIAMS , Secretary , said he thanked the

brethren for the kind reception given him . All connected with the Chaucer Lodge of Instruction persevered to make it a success . Their labours had been rewarded by good attendances of brethren , and also by the work they were doing in their respective lodges . When he took up the Secretaryship the attendances of brethren were very small , quite discouraging . They had now an average of

19 on the evenings of the meeting of the Iodge of instruction . He gave with pleasure much time and attention , and was always delighted vvhen he saw a good attendance of brethren . They all worked well and harmoniously together , and under the Preceptorship of Bro . W . Wingham good ceremonial work was done . He should continue to persevere in his duties as Secretary , and looked forward to yet

greater support , especially as they were now in such comfortable quarters , and had everything necessary to make the lodge of instruction still more successful . The Tyler's toast , given by the worthy CHAIRMAN , closed a most jolly and pleasant evening , the excellent singing and capital recitations by Bros . Farmer ,

Renaut , Rose , Phillips , Large , Gushing , _ and others had add < d much to the enjoyment of the evening . Seldom in any lodge has been heard such a splendid display of talent . The brethren on parting all expressed themsslves delighted with the whole evening ' s entertainment , not forgetting their worthy Chairman , Bro . T , Robins , and the host and hostess , Bro . and Mrs . Renaut .