Lodge Reports.

some other brother , many of whom would , no doubt , undertake the duty , and feel a pleasure in forwarding the interests of their lodge in particular , aud the Craft in general .

Our Masonic Charities.

OUR MASONIC CHARITIES .

THE ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS . The following account of the origin and progress of this noble institution , compiled by Bro . Binckes , was issued with the last annual report of the Committee : —

As a matter of Masonic Histoiy it is generally known that in the year 1717 the members of the Four Lodges then existing in London in a regularly convened assembly , constituted and declared themselves to be the " Grand Lodge of Free and

Accepted Masons of England , " and from that event may be dated the revival of Freemasonry in the south of England . Considerable prosperity attended the new organisation ; its progress was for some time most successful in every respect ,

and the subject of Charity , at an early date , occupied the attention of its rulers . The first mention—the germ , in fact , of the now successful development—of a design to establish some such an Institution as this is found in the records of

Grand Lodge , January 31 st , 1789 , the Marquis of Carnarvon , G . M ., viz . : "A scheme was proposed for the placing out Masons' sons Apprentices , but after long debate the proposal was rejected , as a scheme too extensive for the fund of Charity . "

The probability is that the question would , ere the lapse of any lengthened period , have again occupied the attention of Grand Lodge , but in this case , as in the cases of other societies established for the highest and noblest purposes ,

differing views and counsels ere long produced dissensions which , commencing in 1740 , resulted in a separation . The Two Bodies assumed the titles respectively of "Ancient" and "Modern , " * and continued to exercise a divided jurisdiction

for upwards of half a century . Good , however , frequently comes out of evil , and though there can be no doubt that heart-burnings and jealousies prevented that attention to the great principles upon which the Order is founded , which happily

has since been so extensively bestowed , the movements in question " excited the attention of the Fraternity , and also of the public . Lukewarm Brethren became partisans on either side , and Freemasonry reaped the benefit of these misunderstandings by an increase both in numbers and influence . Thus the ranks of both ' Ancient '

and ' Modern' were increased , and the funds of benevolence for Widow and Orphan augmented from new and unexpected sources ; a result which cemented the popularity of the Order . Its beauties aud excellencies were placed in a clearer

and more prominent point of view , and the public became convinced that though the two hostile parties may differ on some unimportant points of discipline , both were pursuing the same laudable course , —the investigation of science , and the benefit of mankind . " *

As a practical illustration of the latter object , the "Modern" Brethren—i . e ., those who adhered to the Constitution of 1717—established in 1788 the " Cumberland Freemasons' School , " t now known as the " Royal Masonic Institution for

Girls . " % The history of that Institution , so far as the present purpose is concerned , requires no further notice , save a record of its continued and increasing prosperity , on which every Mason has reason to congratulate him

self-In 1798 the members of the "Ancient" Fraternity , not to be behind hand with their rivals , established " The Masonic Institution for Clothing and Educating the Sons of Deceased and Indigent Ancient Freemasons , " § with His Grace the Duke

of Atholl , Grand Master of the " Ancient" G . L ., as Patron ; the origin of which is thus stated : — "July 3 , 1798 . A meeting took place for the purpose of establishing a Masonic Charity , for educating aud clothing the sons of indigent