Royal Benevolent Institution For Aged Freemasons And Their Widows.

to celebrate . They had the Institution for Aged Freemasons ' and their Widows , but the funds of both were applied entirely to stated purposes . As the brethren whom he had addressed knew the benefits derived from these Institutions , he must apologise for the few words he then addressed to them . In all countries one of tho most striking symptoms of civilisation was the amouut of care which they manifested for the aged of their

community . The committee came before them and asked them to support that Institution , and proud was he to see such an assembly to celebrate its anniversary , which had been well chosen , for tho committee had chosen for it the birthday of tlTe first person who suggested the Institution , the late Duke of Sussex . ( Cheers . ) As regarded old age , whatever literature they looked

at , whether it was the ancient classics of Rome , Greece , or Troy , or the lectures of Cicero , there was throughout the whole a feeling of reverence towards it , and the Christian religion inculcated its blessings on all who cared for them . ( Cheers . ) He would not detain them longer on that subject , but would simply ask them to join with him in drinking " Success to the Royal

Benevolent Institution of Aged Freemasons and their Widows , " and might the funds which were collectedbe invested and contiuue to increase year by year , so as to afford the greatest benefits to the annuitants to whose relief they were to be applied . The toast was drunk with three times three , and one cheer more .

Bro . FABXEIELB then read the list of subscriptions , and amongst the principal were the following : —Bro . Veevers , Prov . G . Purst . East Lancashire , £ 112 10 s . ; Bro . Newali , East Lancashire , £ 133 10 s . ; Bro . George F . Newmarcb , D . Prov . G . M . Gloucestershire , £ 125 ; Bro . Gallway ( 176 ) , £ 17 10 s . ; [ Bro . Yeates ( 23 ) , £ 74 lis . 6 d . ; Bro . Chancellor ( 657 ) , £ 67 5 s . ; Bro . Watts ( 201 ) , £ 34 5 s . ; Bro . Berry ( 14 L ) , £ 17 18 s . ; Bro . Robin-¦ son ( 229 ) , £ 105 . The total amount declared being £ 2 , 376 3 s . 6 d . The announcement was received with loud cheers .

Bro . 1 AKNITEED said that there were eleven lists to come in . ( Renewed cheers . ) Bro . TOAIKINS , Grand Treasurer , proposed " The Health of their noble Chairman , " and expressed their deep obligations to him for taking the chair at that celebration festival of one of their Charities . It was nob the first time that he had done so ,

and he trusted that it would not be the last . It was one of the ¦ great features of the Craft , that it did so much good by bringing them together on such occasions as the present , and it more firmly cemented their social links when they found a noblemen feel such an interest in the Craft , and plead at their festivals on -behalf of their Charities , whose object was to alleviate the

distress of their poorer brethren . He asked the brethren to drink the " Health of tho illustrious Chairman , his grace the Duke of St . Alban's . " ( Loud cheers ) . The Duke ofST . AMU ^ s said he thanked them most gratefully for the manner in which his health had been received , and for the way in which Bro . Tompkins had proposed it . He felt happy

if lie had done anything to promote this charity , and it was Avith feelings of pride he heard the list read out by the Secretary . There were some other lists to come in , and when they were added he thought the total sum received would amount to £ 2 , 500 . For the honour they had conferred upon him he thanked them from the bottom of his heart , and he thought he could not

nowoffer themamoreappropriatetoast than thatof "The Health of tho Right Hon . Lord Southampton , Past President , the Trustees , Vice-Presidents , Treasurer , Committee and Officers of the Institution . " He believed they all had the welfare of then-Institutions at heart , and he would not enter into the merits of each of them , but bethought they must all regret that Lord

Southampton should have had his house burnt down the other day . He coupled with the toast the name of Bro . Spiers . Bro . SPIEBS said he was taken rather by surprise , as he suddenly found himself in the honourable position of being Senior President of the Institution then present . He thanked them for their appreciation of such services as they Avere able to

render to this noble charity . He saw present many brethren who Avere well calculated to judge of the services of the committee , and it was most gratifying for them to receive such a meed of approbation at their hands . Bro . ToirricKTS also returned thanks .

Tho CHAIRMAN said he had no doubt they would cordially drink the toast of the other Masonic Charities , " The Boys ' School Festival , on the 9 th of March , and the Girls' School ou the 11 th of May . " In a few words he expressed the value of those institutions . ( The toast was well received . ) Bro . BINCKES , Secretary to the Boys' School , congratulated Bro . Farnfield and the body of Stewards at the way in which

they had been supported that evening , and said he looked with anxiety to the Boys' School Festival , on the 9 th of March , on which occasion the chair would be taken by the Duke of Newcastle . He was glad to find that , as one charity increased the brethren extended their support to all . There was no rivalry , but a fraternal feeling to see how they could do the

best for all . In promoting their Masonic Charities in any phase or character he should deeply regret if the success of one should militate against another , for the keystone of all their institutions was charity . As regarded the Boys' School , they were they then in a crisis of their existence , as they were erecting a new building , which would accommodate twice the number

of hovs , the demands for which were increasing year by year There were already 30 candidates , and there would be but seven vacancies , which was the best justification for what the committee were doing iu enlarging this institution . He asked them to give liberally , as Providence had blessed them with

the means , and then they would be able to look back with pleasure and proud satisfaction on the support they had given to these noble institutions . ( Loud cheers . ) Bro . PATTES , Secretary to the Girls' School , said that Bro , Binckes had left him little to say , but he begged to say that the Festival for the Girls' School would take place on the

11 th of May . During the last year they had erected a new wing , at a cost of £ 1 , 500 , to receive 20 additional children , at a cost of £ 600 per annum , and they had no other source to provide for them than through the liberality of the Craft . In anticipation of their bounty , they had already taken in 10 children ; in April they would take in 2 more ; and in October

they would take in the remaining 8 children . They looked to the brethren for that support which the Charity deserved . He asked any brother to visit the School ; and if he was a nonsubscriber , he was sure that it would not be long before he would become a subscriber for one guinea , and , perhaps , for ten guineas . He asked them to think of the lltli of May , and

he congratulated Bro . Farnfield on the number of brethren by whom ho had been supported , hoping that they would support the Girls' School as they had supported him , to come themselves and bring a friend with them . ( Cheers . ) He congratulated them upon what they had done , what they were doing , and what they were about to do .

Tho CHAIEMAN gave " The Ladies" AVIIO had honoured them Avith their presence , for whom Bro . Mullins returned thanks in a most appropriate speech . " The Stewards" was next given , for which Bro . Nutt returned thanks , and the proceedings were brought to a close .