Masonic Charities.

but arises from the non-existence of any kind of organization for bringing and keeping those claims under the notice of Brethren and Lodges in the country . In the words of one of the Letters : ' The soil is there , and all the elements of fruition , wanting only the labor of cultivation . ' "These various communications having been referred to us , the undersigned to ' consider and report , ' we have prepared the report appended hereto , which the managers of both institutions have empowered us to circulate in the provinces , in order to ascertain the

opinions of the provincial Brethren as to the suggested scheme , and to invite propositions for its amendment or extension , or for the adoption of some other scheme calculated to effect the great object in view , viz .: to procure and to maintain for the two Masonic schools an increased amount of country support . " Wo shall be extremely obliged , therefore , by your kind consideration of the scheme suggested in the accompanying report , and by your consulting other influential Brethren in your province on the subject to which it relates .

"As we are very desirous to avoid delay in submitting to the authorities of both schools an abstract of the replies we may receive , so that the subject may be . fully considered in all its bearings , and such measures finally adopted as may be deemed advisable , we shall bo further greatly obliged by your transmitting to us a reply not later than Tuesday , the 31 st August , addressed to Bro . John Symonds , 3 , Ingram Court , Fenchurch Street , E . G . "We feel quite persuaded that the subject matter of this communication will be deemed sufficient apology for the trouble wo have

thus ventured to impose upon you . " We have the honor to be , Worshipful Sir and Brother , " Yours faithfully and fraternally , "W . H . LYALL , M . A ., P . M . No . 10 . "FREDERICK BINCKES , P . M . No . 11 . "JOHN SYMONDS , P . M . No . 21 . " Late Governors , and Members of the Committees of both Schools .

" Should you desire a further number of copies of the report , we shall be most happy to send them on receiving a line to that effect . " The following analysis of the subscriptions to the two Schools , is extracted from the respective lists last published . Under the head of 'neuter' are included : 1 st , Brethren whose residences are partly in London and partly iu the country or whose addresses are not stated ; 2 nd , The Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter subscriptions ;

GIRLS' SCHOOL . Lomlos . County . ; Neuter . Total . Subscribers , Subscribing Lodges , & c . 1048 307 113 3468 Votes to which the Amounts contributed by the above entitled them ... 2188 481 273 2942 BOYS' SCHOOL . Subscribers , Subscribing Lodges , & e . 667 236 69 972

Votes to which the Amounts contributed by the above entitled them ... 1810 456 277 2543 " Carrying out the reference made to us which was suggested by letters received from Brethren in the provinces , we beg to submit for consideration the following REPORT .

" We are of opinion that , with the view of making the Masonic schools better known amongst our country Brethren , it -is highly desirable that agencies of some kind should be established in every province ; and we feel sure that if some such organization be employed , not only will it be cordially welcomed by numbers who as yet know so little about the schools , but the institutions themselves would obtain such an increase of pecuniary resources as would enable them to take a positionsecond to none educational establishments

^ among of a similar kind in this country . "Accordingly we recommend : "I . That Corresponding Secretaries be appointed in eveiy province by the Provincial Grand Lodges , subject to the approval of the general committee of each School , and that their duties shall be :

1 . To attend the meetings of the Provincial Grand Lodges , and to visit from time to time the private Lodges of the province , in order to advocate the interests of the Schools , to afford information , to procure Stewards for the annual festival dinners , and to solicit donations and annual subscriptions from individual Brethren , as well as from Lodges , Chapters , and other Masonic bodies . 2 . To distribute copies of the rules and regulations , lists of

subscribers , annual reports made at the festivals , & c . 3 . To be empowered to give printed receipts for money received by them . " II . That for the purpose of providing for travelling and other incidental expenses , the Corresponding Secretaries be allowed the usual per centage on subscriptions and donations remitted by them . "III . That the Corresponding Secretaries actif possiblefor both

, , schools . " Previous to appointing Corresponding Secretaries , we think it would be desirable that London deputations should visit as many of the various Provincial Grand Lodges as possible , in order to give an impetus to the movement , and for the purpose of affording all requisite information . "TV . H . LYALL . "JOHN SYMONDS .

" 16 A , Great Queen Street , July 3 , 1858 . "FREDK . BINCKES . "P . S . Since the foregoing was presented , it has been suggested by some that the Provincial Grand Lodges should annually ' elect 'Local Committees' to act as agents in behalf of both the Masonic schools ; which proposal , together with the one shadowed forth in our report , we commend to the consideration of the Brethren . " The children in this school had a most interesting treat on Thursday , the 12 th August , when they visited Brighton , on the invitation of the Royal York Lodge , No . 394 , and were most hospitably entertained . The festive gathering was attended by several of the ' supporters of the charity .

ROYAL BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION FOR AGED MASONS AND THEIR WIDOWS . At the monthly meeting of the committee of this institution , on Wednesday , July 14 , Bro . John Hervey in the chair , the accounts were examined ; and it was ordered that £ 450 be invested in consols on account of the Male Annuity 7 Fund , and £ 350 on account of the Widows' Fund . This makes the sums invested £ 10750 for the Male

, Fund , and £ 2 , 950 for the Widows' Fund . The pensions paid during the last quarter amounted to : male annuitants , £ 234 15 s ., being at the rate of £ 939 per annum ; and to female annuitants , £ 123 2 s . 6 d ,, or at the rate of £ 492 10 s . per annum . Since the previous meeting , one of the male pensioners , Bro . Thos . Miller , of Stockport , an annuitant of £ 25 per annum , had died . Bro . Farnfield , Sec , reported that he had received a communication from the Secretary of the Board of Grand Stewards who conducted

the last Grand Festival , desiring that the collector of the institution might call upon their treasurer , it having been resolved that the balance of deposits , which remained in hand after paying all the expenses of the festival , should be handed over for the benefit of the Benevolent Institution , as follows : £ 10 10 s . to the Widows' Fund ; £ 10 10 s . to the Male Fund ; and £ 7 16 s . for the purchase of coals and candles for the inmates of the Asylum during the ensuing winter It was resolved , that the thanks of the committee should be forwarded to the Secretary of the Board of Grand Stewards for their

liberal donation , and that Bro . Farnfield be requested to superintend the distribution of the £ 7 lGs . in the manner proposed by the Grand Stewards . We have great pleasure in being enabled to add , that Bro . Isidor Levinson , P . M . of the Royal York Lodge of Perseverance ( No . 7 ) has liberally handed a cheque for £ 7 J 2 s . Sd ., the amount received by him for delivering the Prestonian lecture ( being the interest on the amount left by Bro . Preston to secure the delivery of the lecture ) , to the Secretary of the Royal Benevolent Institution , to be applied in aid of the Sustentation Fund of the Asylum . The next FESTIVAL will take place on Wednesday , January 20 .