Our Institutions And Their Critics.

and there wo leave that portion of the ^ subject , as far as we are concerned , and Critic No . 1 to express his ^ views in anothei \ j"column . But ' wliat has been urged in reference to the reports of the Boys' School ( issued annually but only limited in

circulation ) is not sufficiently explanatory to those who confess their want of that knowledge which it appears they can only obtain by agitation , unless indeed they keep on the continual look out for statements , tabular and

otherwise , casually published in other pages than those of the reports themselves . On this point one of our correspondents enlarges fully , and in our opinion , his remarks are worthy of attention .

Nor , to our mind , is the lengthened reference to the admitted deficiency between sums promised at the late festival of the Girls' School and those actually paid , in any way an explanation or answer to the questions which have been propounded . And we think we are correctly

advised by several members of our Order that what is stated as to the non-issue of proxies in respect of stewards ' lists , the amounts represented in which have not yet been paid , is not altogether correct . In our last issue , QUIDNUNC put a leading question on this subject , to which , hoAvever ,

no answer has been given . One Avould ha \ r e thought that if the enquiry had no foundation , the management concerned Avould have been but too glad to seize the opportunity for a direct denial . However , it is not forthcoming ,

either to ourselves or to our correspondent through us , and although Ave should have been much gratified to have been enabled to inform our readers that QUIDNUNC had no ground for his suggestion , we must treat the matter as one Avhich cannot be satisfactorily explained .

We cannot afford the space to further enlarge upon other points contained in the lengthy attempt at explanation to which Ave refer . They will doubtless be challenged by others , and if the information sought for is persistently Avithheld , the craft Avill have reason to regret what will inevitably ensue in connection with our Institutions .

Indifference To Enquiry.

INDIFFERENCE TO ENQUIRY .

Wc take a liberty with our friend and contemporary , the Freemasons ' Chronicle , a liberty Avhich Ave are sure Avill not be resented , since its purpose is to set before that portion of the craft Avho probably see our pages and not those of our contemporary , words of great meaning and interest at the present moment ; words Avhich

should bear abundant fruit in promoting the best work of Freemasonry , and preventing those eA ils which are noAv foreshadoAved . From the editorial of the Fieemasons Chronicle , on the subject of " Excessive Enthusiasm , " we append the following extracts , Avhich Ave strongly exhort these Avhom they may concern to give grave consideration : —

" "When so much credit is taken for the thousands annually spent by the Masonic Order , it is sometimes desirable to look on the other side of the picture , especially Avhen . after such strong and continued appeals as are now made , BO little information is obtainable or consideration shoAvn to those who answer the appeals . It is not our present purpose to speak of specific complaints Avhich

have recently been made , but Ave cannot help referring to the indifference—Ave may say the silent contempt—Avith which any inquiry is treated by these Avho have the management of affairs . Is it likely men will continue to work for the charities if they are treated in this manner Avhenever they think there is cause for inquiry or room for improvement . May Ave not rather expect them

to conclude that their criticisms are justified , and their complaints necessary ; for the natural inference is , that if a charge is disregarded or unansAvered—when made by anyone interested , cr who kas secured the right to a voice—it is true ; or , at least , that there is some foundation for it , for we certainly ennot see any reason for supposing that in this respect masonic matters are materially

different to Avhat they are outside of it . " * * * * * " We have spoken of Freemasonry as existing at the present time , in the minds of some , on anything but a firm and substantial basis , and in proof of such theory we are told that the annual expenditure of the Fund of Benevolence far exceeds its income * ; that the three Charities of the Order exist merely from hand to mouth , spending

money as fast as they receive it , and entailing fearful responsibilities for the future ; that private lodges conduct their financial affairs in a most unbusiness-like and unsound manner ; and that Grand Lodge exercises little or no control in connection with matters which ought to be carefully supervised , if the reputation of the Craft is to be maintained . All this and much more is urged

against Freemasonry , and Avhat can its best friends say in reply ? Can they truthfully say that the accusations are groundless or can they urge that the matters are of so trivial a nature as to be unworthy of consideration . ' It is no answer to criticism to say that all has turned out right in the \ ast and that the future may be left to take care of itself . "

AVe are naturally pleased to find that we do not stand alone in calling attention to those abuses of Freemasonry which , unless at encs cleared away , will surely ultimately bring " scandal on the craft . "

* Sec following column .

Board Of Benevolence.

BOARD OF BENEVOLENCE .

The monthly meeting of the Board of Benevolence was held on Wednesday evening at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . Robert Grey , P . G-. D ., President of the Board , Avas in the President's chair : Bro . Henry Garrod , P . G . P .. Avas in the chair of Senior Vice-President , in the unavoidable absence of Bro . James Brett ; and Bro . C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . P ., Junior Vice-President , occupied his appointed position .

Among the brethren present were Bros . Col . ShadAvell H . Gierke , G . Sec . ; A . A . Pendlebury , Asst . G . Sec . ; W . Dodd and W . H . Lee represented Grand Secretary ' s office ; and the other brethren present were Bros . David D . Mercer , J . B . Grieve , Charles Dairy , G . P . Britten , Walter Hopekirk , George A . Gundy , W . P . Brown , Charles H . Driver . George Read , W . H . Perryman , C . H . Webb , Richard

Croydon , W . R . Burnett , H . J . Chapman . W . F . Kibble , Geo . B . Chapman , W . J . Higgs . F . T . Ridpath . H . Massey , H . E . Frances , Philip Morrison , C . J . Hill , H . Cox , W . F . Nimmo , J . C . Tilt , W . C . Claridge , B . Carter , J . Savage . S . H . Goldschmidt , Robert Jackson , J . J . Berry , Robert C . Voisoy , ' Thos . Weeks , T . M . Bilby , John W .

Ray , Charles Daniel , John Bindon , Robert Bacon Higham , John G . Rymer , Samuel H . Parkhouse . George Abbott , F . J . Eedle , and Henry Sadler , Grand Tyler . The President announced that he had obtained the following statement , made out in Grand Secretary ' s office , that the brethren might see the position of the Fund of Benevolence : —

I I IP jsf ^ - 'l ^ i = ! i | i a 22 sll a -J 4 % <& ssfls £ ° zsm gsl * . ! £ 3 51111 5 fi

= - -, ^ S « o < % i 2 = s-= g = = § g „ 3 n s ^ S-i * £ gaS ' ggls S g £ " & £ £ £ 1879 8917 9013 101 1880 0270 10 , 021 751 1881 8961 10 , 603 1642 1882 9160 10219 1059 3000

, 1883 8178 9345 167 18 S 4 9185 10 , 052 867 1000 1885 9077 10 , 933 185 G 2000 1886 9189 11 , 333 2144 3000 1887 9343 11 , 225 1852 1888 10 , 051 12 , 263 2217 3000 10 £ 92 , 331 £ 105 , 017 £ 12 , 686 £ 12 , 000

Cash Account . Dr . Cr . Amount of Deficiencies , 1878 to Stock Sold £ 12 , 000 1888 £ 12 , 686 Due Board of Gen . Purps ., Cash Investment in 1879 to make up advanced 31 st Dec , 1888 ... 1886 £ 50 , 016 Consols 1200 £ 13 , 886 £ 13 , 886

Stock remaining in Consols , 31 st December , 1888 ... £ 38 , 016 . SHADWELL H . CLERKE , G . 8 . The brethren first confirmed recommendations made at the December , 18 S 8 , meeting to the Grand Master to the amount of £ 340 . There were 44 cases ; of which , forty Avere relieved with a total sum of £ 1180 ; three were deferredand one Avas dismissed .

, , There were three recommendations to Grand Lodge of £ 100 each , and three of £ 50 each ; five recommendations to the Grand Master of £ 40 each , and five of £ 30 each ; and eleven grants of £ 20 each , one of £ 15 , ten of £ 10 each , and one of £ 5 .

In reference to the above statement of receipts and expenditure , we direct the attention of our readers to our remarks on the subject under date of October 4 th , 1888 ( JYo . 7 ) , and to express the hope that some energetic brother may bo found Avho Avill , by resolution , bring the matter before the Grand Lodge , in order that it may have earnest consideration Avith a vieAv to amendment of the present unpromising state of affairs .

The Ritual.

THE RITUAL .

CONTINUATION OF CHAP . V . OF BRO . H . J . WHYMPER ' " RELIGION OF FREEMASONRY . Owing to pressure of other matter , we arc compelled to defer this until next week .

Reviews.

REVIEWS .

Texas S if tings Afloat . —The log of a three months' cruise of the yacht " Champlain " through the Canadian lakes and rivers down the St . Lawrence to New York , by J . ArmoyKnox ( Texas Sittings ) , Texas Siftings Publishing Company ( Limited ) , 4 , East Harding Street , E . G ., London . —We have been much interested by a perusal of this humorous Avork , which , notwithstanding that it has no

connection with the science of Freemasonry , cannot fail to afford masonic readers much useful information and amusement , and serve to while away an hour or to in relaxation from more serious study . We have marked one or two extracts for use when opportunity offers , feeling assured that our readers will appreciate the reproduction .

Minutes of the Proceedings tf the District Grand Lodge of the Punjab of September and October , 1888 ; W . Bull & Co ., Lahore . — We have been favoured Avith an opportunity for noting the progress of our O rder in this distant district and the inter eating communications made at the tAvo last meetings of its Grand Lodge . One or two of these we shall have occasion to refer to in contemplated comments

on the subjects of " exclusion , " "the acquisition of suitable lodge buildings , " and the inspection of lodges by Grand Lodge officers and duly qualified inspectors . For the present , our columns are too much occupied Avith affairs of greater home interest , but these we hope will shortly become less pressing and leave us space at disposal .