The Masonic Mirror

of the Institution , coupled with tho name of their excellent Treasurer , Bro . Benjamin Bond Cabbell . " The brethren so well knew the services which that brother had ever rendered to charitable institutions , and especially to their Girls School , that at that lato hour he should do no more than briefly alludo to them . He was sure , by tho manner in which thoy received the toast , that they highly appreciated it , which ho ivould at once ask them to drink . ( Cheers ) . Bro . Benjamin Bond Cabbell , who was loudly applauded , said he rose with great

pleasure to acknowledge tho compliment they had been pleased to pay him on this , as on many former occasions . He was aware that it was not called for by any merits of his , though ho had certainly long taken a deep interest in tho welfare and prosperity of the institution . Not only by the care they took of them in this institution did thoy contribute to tho welfare of tho dear children brought under their protection- —not only did they lead them to hope for happiness hero and hereafter—but by the manner in which it was supported and conducted , the institution was raised to ono of the proudest positions of any in this happy country . ( Cheers ) . It was most gratifying to find institutions such as theirs supported by the nobles of the land—men born to liieY . stations , ivho camo forward for tho

protection and aid of their poorer brethren , showing how truly mercy and charity bore sway in their hearts , and how they thus supported the character and dignity of their country . He begged to express his gratitude to the noble lord who had presided over tliem that evening , thus evincing the interest lie continued to take iu the Craft , of which ho was so distinguished an ornament . ( Cheers ) . Bro . Crew thon proceeded to read the list of subscriptions , which amounted to upwards of £ 1880 with two or three additional lists to come inso that when

,, , closed , tho amount will , ne havo no doubt , exceed £ 2 , 000 . "The health of the Medical Officers and Committees of tho Institution" and " Prosperity to the other Masonic Charities" were then drunk . The noble chairman then proposed " The Health of the Stewards of tho Festival , " and stated that they wero all much indebted to that body for bho great exertions they had made on behalf of the charity .

Bro . Jolm Matthews , Prov . G . S . AV . aud P . Prov . G . Treasurer , Gloucestershire , and Prov . G . S . B ., "Wilts ., President of the Board of Stewards , returned thanks for the handsome manner iu ivhich the last toast had been proposed anil responded to . He assured the noble lord and the brethren that ho individually had experienced great pleasure iu acting as one of tho stewards of this festival , and in doing all in his power to aid the object of the charity . He sincerel y believed that the samo feeling was shared in by every member of the board ; they were all gratified that their labours had not been iu vainand that the list had assumed such a

, respectable total . He did not at that lato period of the evening propose to detain them long , but he could not refrain from making a remark or two upon the object which had brought them together that night . It ivas charity , which , is known even to those who aro not Masons , to be one of tho principles of our Order . As brethren , we have all , at least on one occasion , if not more frequently , professed to admire that virtue ; wc are therefore bound to practise it to the utmost of our moans , not only as a duty wo have undertaken , hut also to prove to those who arc not

Masons ( and who can know nothing of many of the links that bind brother to brother ) that we act up to our profession , at least in this respect , The exhibition of the children wo have soon this evening amply proves this . Ho thought the friends ofthe charity would be increased if the brethren who already assisted it would endeavour to prevail upon those brethren who arc not now to be found amongst our supporters , to visit the school , or to attend one of our festivals ; they ivould then see what we aro doing for tho children of our departed brethren , and aid in tho work

" good . " At all events , if they did not afterwards do so , to some extent at least , ho did not think he could offer to such brethren any better advice than to l-ccommeiid . theni to attend some good Lodge of Instruction , whore they might have an opportunity of becoming better acquainted with the principles upon which Freemasonry is founded . The health of " Thc Ladies in the gallery" was then given , after which the noble chairman vacated the chair , and was conducted by the Board of iitewai-ds to the glee room , where he remained till nearly tho end of thc entertainment , ivhich may