The Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

the sons of their poor and deceased brethren from the allurements of vice or the misfortunes of want . That was the highest object they laid themselves out to accomplish , and that was done by sending the children to schools in their own neighbourhood , paying for their education , the rate of remuneration being very small , and clothing them , not as you see our hoys

clothed now , but , I am afraid , without using any invidious expression , clothing them in the garb of charity . And this went on till ten years ago , when the first great step was taken in the -formation of this Institution—the purchase of the property around you . An impetus was thus given to the work , and the glorious foundation stone of the present building was laid in

June , 1863 , by our estimable brother who fills the chair this evening , aud who witnesses in 1867 the completion of the work he himself began in 1863 . Not only is it a matter of congratulation that we have him spared who laid the foundation stone to put on the cope stone by presiding here this evening , but I think Providence has been

especially kind to us , inasmuch as I do not think , without absolutely referring to records , that one of those who then put his hand to the plough has been taken from us . They are all alive , in the enjoyment of health , and I hope of happiness , and I trust many years of both are still in store for them . Many of you know , though many do not , what has been clone for us .

We who have had a hand in it , on an occasion like this , are not going to weary you with statistics , but we may tell you that the sympathies of a large body of persons have been enlisted in our work , of persons who have seen it , and have not gone away merely approving of it , but have left behind them a substantial token of their approval . The fete of to-day has been very hastily arranged ; no organised appeal to the Craft has been made . By the exertions of tho House Committee , with

v / hom it is a pleasure to have to act , the success of this fete has been obtained . Our object was not so much to make this a matter of pecuniary profit to the Institution as to render ifc an opportunity for attracting down to Wood Green a larger number of our supporters and friends to see the result of their support . I think we have been

successful . We did not wish to make a direct appeal to their pockets ; we leave entirely to their hearts to dictate what they will do to assist us in the good work we have undertaken . I only say , compare what we now are with what we were a few years past . Remember what we were then , aud see what we are now . My heart is full of thankfulness to that great

overruling Providence who has brought about all this prosperity , assisted as it is by subscriptions from brethren in all parts of the world , with wishes that they could do more for us . Do not we deserve sympathy ? Do not we deserve support ? In God's name I ask it on behalf of those who surround you now , who lire the sous—I say it in their presence , and it is no shame that

it is so —of men , now in misfortune , who have been worth their thousands , and have nobly supported this Institution before their calamities came upon them . There are here the sons of those who but a few years ago were enjoying everything which the world could afford , on whom at last misfortune came . We know not how suddenly property may be taken away , and the man of

affluence be reduced to poverty . And here is a splendid home , where we endeavour to mitigate , at least , the sorrows which accompany misfortune . If a boy's parents die , we supply the place of a parent ; and I ask you to look round on those healthy , happy faces , and say whether we have failed in the attempt we have made . We have done all that we possibly could , with your

kind assistance , to make this Institution , not a charity—for it is not one ; we ignore the term " charity . " We are an institution , it is true , supported by eleemosynary contributions—to

help those who aaanofc help themselves—whose parents and friends when they were in prosperity did what they could to assuage the sorrows and distresses of others . Assistance held out to them is a right they have earned by the liberality of their fathers to be aided in reinstating themselves once morein the good position which their fathers had obtained for them .

I have not one word co say in depreciation of tlie merits of the other sister charities . God knows they deserve all the support that can be extended to them , and , thank God , they are enjoying great prosperity . Would to heaven I could only say the same of this School . Having regard to all that has been accomplished , I cannot plead before yon m forma pauperis , but I beg of you

to continue to strive to make our School a great educational establishment . Do not fancy that the flags and banners which you see . about you now reveal " the story of our life from year to year . " This is only an exceptional event . When you , our kind friends , have left us , and all of this day ' s celebration but its recollections shall have passed away , we shall settle down to

hard work , studiously and assiduously endeavouring , under the instructions , and with the assistance of the efficient masters we believe we have found , to fit our young proteges for any sphere of life to which it may please God to call them . Brethren , ladies , and gentlemen , but especially ladies , I thank you all for what you have done , and trust you will not relax in your efforts

iu our behalf . The CHAIRMAN then proposed " The Sister Institutions , " and Bro . EDWARD H . PATTEN , the Secretary of the Girls' School ,

made a capital reply for that Institution . Bro . W . FAKNriELB also replied for the Aged Freemasons . Tbe CHAIRMAN then toasted " The Ladies , " and Bro . BINCKES read a list of subscriptions , which , collected at the table amounted to £ 163 . The out-door amusements were then resumed , and at seven

o ' clock a most agreeable bull was opened , aud dancing kept up with unflagging spirit till past ten o ' clock , when the company were obliged to leave for the last train to town . : The collation , admirable in every way , was entirely prepared at fche School , the attendance being done by a small staff of waiters from tho Freemasons' Tavern , assisted by a portion of .

tire domestics of the Institution . Taken altogether , the event must be regarded as a great success , the total number of visitors being nearly 400 , all of whom expressed themselves in terms of unqualified approval . We understand that in future the annual summer fete wil * be held on July Sth , the anniversary of the inauguration of

thc new building , with which will be combined the distribution of prizes to the pupils , and visit of Festival Stewards , hitherto occurring in the inclement month of March , and we augur most favourably from tho changes . Since the fete Bro . Algernon Perkins has sent to the Secretary a cheque for the handsome sum of fifty guineas , with

the assurance of his best wishes for the continued prosperity of the Institution , and of the great pleasures derived by bim from the entire proceedings at the fete .

Metropolitan.

METROPOLITAN .

ST . JOHNS LODGE ( No . 167 ) . —This highly flourishing lodge held tlie regular meeting on Tuesday , the 1 st inst ., at Hampstead , a large number of the brethren being present . At a quarter pasfc four Bro . W . Alexander called upon his officers to assist him in opening the lodge , which was perfectly done , upon which Bro . Joseph Smith , the excellent secretary , read the minutes of the last meeting , they receiving unanimous confirmation . Bros . Piggott , Harris , Tatham , and Hunter were introduced , questioned upon proficiency , aud satisfactorily proving