Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

that they never had a better Deputy Grand Master , or one ¦ who took a greater amount of interest in the success of their institutions than the Deputy Grand Master of England . Then there were those who iilled the offices in Grand Lodge . All who attended Grand Lodge well knew how the business was facilitated there by the courtesy , consideration , and habits of

business in tho Craft by tho exertions and services of the Grand officers . They had several of them present , but on the present occasion ho should give with the toast " The health of the Grand Treasurer , " who had a very important office to fill in Grand Lodge , but in drinking his health that evening they would not only drink it as Grand Treas , but as filling unequally important

duty to the institution they had met to celebrate . Ho concluded by giving "The Most AVorshipful the Deputy Grand Master , the Right Hon . the Earl de Grey and Ripen , and the Present and Past Grand Officers , " coupling with tho toast the health of Bro . Tomkius , Grand Treas . Bro . Tomkins , G . Treas ., said be begged to thank the

chairman for the kindness in -which he had proposed , and the brethren for the way in which tlioy had received the toast just submitted to them . He could assure them that the Grand Officers , one and all , felt a deep interest in their charities . As treasurer of this institution he begged to thank them for their attendance , as he felt a deep interest in tho progress of that noble charity .

He was glad to find that it was appreciated for its funds were increasing , and when they should hear the amount of contributions that evening , they would find how strongly the institution was appreciated b y the Craft . As treasurer of tho Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , he thanked them for what they had done .

Tho chairman said , Brethren , I am afraid I must trespass for a few moments upon your attention , and I can assure you that it shall be but for a few moments , in asking you to do justice to the principal toast of the evening . I think it will not need much recommendation , as you will be satisfied when the lists are read in tho presence of this goodly company , which I consider to

be the best pledges of the interest taken iu the welfare of this institution . Mosonry has often , and is at the present moment much misunderstood in consequence of the veil which is necessarily thrown over some of our proceedings , but of this thing I am certain that there is not an institution like ours , that aids or supports in reduced or destitute circumstances , the members of

our Order . AVe recognise and labour to enforce that just and great law that all who are able must work , for we hold that idleness is degrading and dishonourable , and to Freemasonry is as great an olfence as can possibly be stated ; hut ou the other hand we endeavour to relieve the destitute . We endeavour to provide for

casual sickness or want of our members , by an organisation , such as the Board of Benevolence . Again we endeavour to provide for tho helpless stages of existence , for we endeavour to provide for our children , and wo endeavour to provide for Aged Freemasons and their widows , as we are doing to-night . AA e endeavour to provide for the children of our distressed members , and bv giving

them a start in life to enable them to devolope those facnlties that God lias given them , if they are worthy of the education , so as to place in their power the opportunity to rise to the highest stations in this free country . As regards the widows of Freemasons , as I remarked just now , we provide a retreat for them in old age , but we go a step further than that . A \ e regard

the ties which have existed between man and wife , and the relationship which has been established for the greater part of a life . In their deep alliietion they enlist our sympathy , for their affections have been bound up with those who are gone and consecrated b y time , and wo therefore endeavour to provide for the widows by annuities . Now . ' how do you do all tliis ? and

I will answer it simply in a couple of sentences . AVe have provided an asylum , and no doubt many of those whom I am now addressing , have seen with their own eyes the benefits there conferred , who can bear much stronger testimony to " them than can be conveyed by any feeble words of mine . It is an asylum situate in no unpleasant part of England , under the management

of an able and energetic committee , and in that asylum there is accommodation for thirty-four inmates , and where there are two rooms devoted to each person . In addition to that , those who enjoy this shelter , receive an annuity , tho widows receiving £ 25 , and in the tho case of Aged Freemasons £ 26 a . year . There it is . True , but a slight difference between these amounts , for I

suppose that to make tho difference between the sex , one fund exists for Masons and the other for their widows . That annuity is sometimes given in connection with the asylum to which I lifivo alluded , and in many cases it is most valuable beyond price that the annuitant should not only receive tho annuity but a shelter under that roof . On the other

hand , when that shelter is not needed , when the annuitant has friends or relatives , it would be unnecessary , and perhaps cruel to divorce him from them . Therefore , I say that we have wisely established a system of annuities , for those annuities are visible , and do not take always the corporeal form of a . building of four walls . In this ease , if the benefits do

notplease the eye they please our feelings and sympathies . I believe that there is no charity more beneficial or useful than that afforded in the decline of life when attended by poverty , or iu a period of sickness , and then in the hour of tribulation the institution becomes more valuable . AVe do not separate the old man from the partner of his life , with whom he states he may have been associated for half a century . AVe do not make any compulsory separation of them , or snap those cords of

sympathy which have been the work of a lifetime , enshrined in his affections , and which he will carry down with him to the grave . All those things we do as English Masons , and we only apply the wholesome test which should be applied to every other similar institution by asking what are the practical results ? I will not weary you by statistics , or bring before

you columns of figures , as the reports are open to you and you can ascertain those things for yourselves , but I will shortly place before you a fow facts , as they arise from the records of this institution . Since the institution was established under tho auspices of tlie late Duke of Sussex in 1812 , from that time no less than 2 S 4 aged Freemasons received relief , and ,

ae I understand , that no less a sum than £ 28 , 000 has been spent in that way on those 481 aged Freemasons . That is an instance of great and unparalleled liberality , but a few years afterwards , under the auspices of Lord Zetland , this institution received a great augmentation in a provision being made for the widows of Freemasons . Since 18-12 no less than 109

widows have received relief ; and for these 109 widows no less a sum than £ 11 , 000 lias been paid away . Brethren , since the festival last year for this charity , the number has been increased to 93 male and 33 female annuitants , and I believe that there are many others standing knocking at your doors and asking you for admission ; and , if you are disposed to open your doors to

them , it can only be done by a liberal contribution ; and let me remind you a few facts . You have a class of persons particularly healthy , but a large proportion of them are not afflicted although they are placed beyond the reach of want ; but , on the other hand , when cases of destitution do arise , they are felt more keenly and press more severely ou those who are thus cast down .

Sometimes the most hapless of this class of persons are reduced to a most helpless condition , aud but for the assistance afforded by tins institution , they would slide step by step down the de-