Masonic Mem.

MASONIC MEM .

THE MASONIC MIRROR . * * All communications to be addressed to 19 , Salisbury-street , Strand , London , W . C . j

WE call the attention of our readers to tbe copious report in our present ks « e of the proceedings in connection with Mark Masonry in Totnes . In the very eloquent and effective address which Bro . H . Hopkins delivered on the occasion he deals fully , not only with the importance of the Mark degrees , but enunciates , in a rare manner , the principles and doctrines of true Masonry . We recommend the address to the careful perusal of all aspirants who would emulate the worthy example of our esteemed brother .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution For Aged Freemasons And Their Widows.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION FOR AGED FREEMASONS AND THEIR WIDOWS .

The anniversary festival for the benefit of the funds of the Eoyal Masonic Benevolent Institution was celebrated on Wednesday evening , in the new banqueting hall , Freemasons ' Tavern . Bro . Alexander Dobie , Prov . G . Master for Surrey , presided , supported by Bros . "Rev . J . D . Maurice , Prov . G . Chap , for Surrey ; Dr . W . J . May , surgeon to the Institution ; Rev . J .

Huyshe , Prov . G . M . for Devon ; Rt . Hon . Lord Eliot , M . P ., S . G . W . ; Lorenzo P . Metham , J . G . D ., D . Prov . G . M . for Devon ; Dr . Jabez Hogg , J . G . D . ; G . W . K . Potter , P . G . D . ; J . Hervey , P , G . D . ; J . Syrads , P . Assist . G . Dir . of Cers . ; E . S . Snell , P . G . D . ; Stephen Blair , Prov . G . M . for East Lancashire ; T . M . Talbot , Prov . G . M . for South Wales ; S . Tomkins , G . Treas . ;

M . J . Mclntyre , G . Reg . ; Gray Clarke , G . Sec ; J . Llewellyn Evans , President of the Board of General Purposes i J . Udall , P . G . D . ; Major Creaton , B . Head , and George Cox , P . G . D . ' s ; J . Smith , P . G . Purst . ; W . Farnfield , Secretary to the

Institution ; John Emmens , P . G . Purst . ; W . J . Meymott , Captain Braithwaite ; W . Ougli , Assist . G . Purst . ; E . H . Patten , Prov . G . S . B ., and Secretary to the Girls' School ; and about 150 other brethren . This institution , as is well known to the older members of the Craft , is situate at Croydon ; and , from the salubrity of the

site and the ample accommodation provided for the inmates , it offers to the distressed Mason or his widow a comfortable home in which they can spend the evening of their life in happiness and repose . The institution is founded on the most popular principles and the most enlarged basis , inasmuch as the annual subscription is so low that it is within the reach of almost every

Mason to add his mite towards the promotion of its success , aud at the same time carry out practically one of our most distinguishing characteristics , which is charity . While helping those who are unable to help themselves , he has the inward satisfaction of having done his duty , and the knowledge that his bounty , like mercy : —

" Is twice blessed . It blesseth him that gives and him that takes . " And , to crown all , it is the brightest gem which can adorn our Masonic profession . This noble institution was inaugurated by the late revered Grand Master , tbe Duke of Sussex , in 1842 , and since that period numerous have been the recipients from its funds , whose hearts have been gladdened and whose path l . as been smoothed in the declining hours of their lives . Tho present occasion , being the twenty-fifth anniversary of its

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution For Aged Freemasons And Their Widows.

establishment , was speedily enforced'en the attention of the Craft , urging their support on the completion of quarter a century , and the appeal has been met with a fitting-response ,, for the subscriptions of money amounted to upwards of i 83 , 000 ,. The dinner was served in Bro . Gosdon's best style , and fully maintained the well-known reputation of the Freemasons '

Tavern , for it embraced every delicacy of the season , and contrasted in a very strong manner with the fare at many other establishments . The cloth having heen withdrawn , The Chairman , in a few remarks , gave " The Queen , " which was followed by the National Anthem , the solo parts by Miss

Rebecca Isaacs and Miss Palmer . The Chairman next gave " Their Royal Highnesses , the Prince and Princess of Wales , and the rest of the Royal Family , " and in doing so expressed his regret at the continued indisposition of the Princess of Wales , with a hope that she would soon again he restored to perfect health . The toast was very cordially

responded to , followed by the trio , "My Lady the Countess , " by Miss Rose Hersee , Miss Rebecca Isaacs , and Miss Palmer . The Chairman next gave " The Most Worshipful the Grand Master , tbe Right Honourable the Earl of Zetland , President of this Institution . " He said they had already drank the health of the sovereign who reigned over these realms , but he now

asked them to join with him in drinking the health of the sovereign who reigned over Freemasonry . Tho Earl of Zetland had presided over the Craft for twenty-five years , and before that he filled the office of Provincial Grand Master of their Order . Under his reign Masonry had increased in every part of the civilised world , and the funds of the Grand Lodge had increased in a corresponding manner to an extent that would scarcely have been credited fifty yeais ago . Considering the

urbanity and kindness with which he had presided over the Craft for twenty-five years , he thought they could not do less than drink his health in a bumper . ( The toast was enthusiastically responded to ) :-Bro . Monteni Smith sung in exquisite style , "The fourleaved shamrock , " which was rapturously applauded .

The Chairman then gave " The Right Worshipful the Deputy Grand Master , tlie Right Hon . the Earl de Grey and Ripon , and the present and past Grand Officers . " He said he felt sure that the Deputy Grand Master had given satisfaction to every member who had the privilege of attending the grand lodge , for the able manner in which he discharged his duties , which

must be a great satisfaction to the Craft . He coupled with the toast the eldest Giand Officer present , which was Bro . Udall . Bro . Udall returned thanks , and said it was a great pleasure to have such a Deputy Grand Master ; for , in addition to those duties , he « as the Deputy Provincial Grand Master of one of the largest provinces , and it sent up to their institution very

large contributions . On behalf of the Grand Officers he thanked them for that mark of their kindness in drinking their healths . Song , Miss Rose Hersee— " Sleep , my pretty one , sleep , " which was encored . The Grand Registrar gave " The Provincial Grand Masters , "

and in doing said that , although those who were then assembled in that hall were supposed to represent metropolitan JIasonry , unless they had the assistance of their brethren in the provinces , they would fall very short in their support of their Masonic charities , The voice of charity was heard far and wide ; for they had the north represented by their Bro . Stephen Blair , who had come from that distant part to do honour to and support their charities . The west was represented by their Bro . the Rer . J . Huyshe , who for many veai-s had served