A Fortnight's Summary.

out , tho Rev . Bro . Milner P . G . Chaplain , in response to tho invitation of the Dep . P . G . Master , delivered an oration on Freemasonry , in which he laid stress on the necessity aud suitability of Freemasons professing a belief in one Supreme Being . Religion , he said , was an instinct of the human

race , all men , whether civilised or savage , recognising and worshipping God . In Freemasonry , every Lodge was consecrated , every Lodge was opened and closed with prayer . At every step a brother took in Freemasonry tho Divine assistance was invoked on his behalf . It was not a religion , but a religious institution which satisfied the instincts of

humanity—recognising all religious truths , and repudiating nothing but Atheism . But Freemasonry was not based merely on religious belief , aud would be more than useless unless it impelled brethren to carry out the three grand principles on which the Society was based . After farther

and equally appropriate remarks , the ceremony of consecration was carried out , and Bro . W . Youldon having been installed W . Master , appointed the following as his Officers for the year , namely , Bros . W . P . Catterson S . W ., C . G . L , Kipling J . W ., S . P . Catterson I . P . M . and Treasurer , J . W .

Moorman Secretary , J . Youldon S . D ., and Geo . Moorman J . D . The proceedings having been brought to an end , Lodge was closed , and the banquet , at which the W . Master presided , followed . On the removal of the cloth , the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts were given and most heartily

received . To the toast of his health , and that of the other Prov . G . Officers , present and past , Brother Rev . C W . Arnold responded , especially thanking the Worshipful Master for the kind words he had used in proposing it , and those present for the manner in which they had

responded thereto . If the Lodge was honoured by the permission to use his name and crest , he felt it impossible he could have received a higher honour than to have been asked for such permission . They certainly could not have adopted a more appropriate motto— " Vixit qui bene vixit , " —he has lived who has lived well—and he trusted it would

be held in reverence by every member of the Lodge . He loved Masonry , which he looked upon in a serious light , because he believed it would help a man on in the path of life , and the more thoroughly he mastered its principles , the better he would become as a man , a father , aud a

citizen . After expressing a hope that the Lodge might have before it a career of good fortune , and that it might always stand high among the Lodges of the Province , Bro . Arnold concluded by offering to them the toast of the W . Master , whom he had known for several years , and than whom he did not think the members could have

selected a better man to preside over them . Bro . Youldon having suitably acknowledged the compliment , the health of the Visitors was proposed and responded to , and then followed the other toasts which invariably complete the programme , that of the Tyler bringing the proceedings to a close .

The testimonial to Bro . James Terry , Secretary to the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , was presented at a small but select gathering of his friends , held in the Great Hall of the Asylum , Croydon , on Thursday , tbe 21 st of December , Bro . Raynham W . Stewart P . G . D . being in

the chair , while among those present were Bro . Dr . Strong and Mrs . Strong , Bro . Edgar Bowyer and Mrs . Bowyer , Bro . 0 . J . Perceval and Mrs . Perceval , Bros . T . Cnbitt , Keyser , John Newton , and J . A . Farnfield , Bro . Col . Radclyffe and Miss Halford , Bro . P . Hastings Miller and Mrs

Miller , Mr . and Mrs . R . M . Paget , Bros . Kenning , Mason , & c , together with Mrs . and Miss Terry . The testimonial consisted of Bro . Terry ' s portrait , by Mr . Paget , to be hung in the Hall of the Institution as an enduring memorial of

the brilliant success which had attended his labours on its behalf , together with a jewel and the clothing of a Provincial Grand Senior Warden of Norths and Hunts , and a bracelet for Mrs . Terry . That such an event as its presentation should be made to bear a festive character was

only m the order of things and strictly in keeping with the time-honoured national custom of paving the way for a good deed by partaking of a good dinner . Consequently , on the eventful Thursday , the basis of post-prandial eloquence having been laid in accordance with ancient usage , the

superstructure rapidly developed itself , the first evidence of its progress being made patent to the guests by the Chairman rising and . briefly proposing the toast of the

Queen . This was followed by that of " Success to the Institution , " with which was associated the name of Dp . Strong , the honorary medical officer , who was ready at all times , as well as Mr 3 . Strong , to minister to the wants and

A Fortnight's Summary.

ailments of the inmates and make them comfortable . Dr . Strong , in his acknowledgment of the compliment , observed , that during tho last two and twenty years he had seen many changes in the Institution , but thero had been no

change of feeling among the residents , who were deeply gratified to those who had procured for them so comfortable a provision during their declining years . Ho also stated , for the information of the non-Masons present , that the benefits of tho Institution were very far from being

confined to the residents , there being in all 325 male and female annuitants , for only thirfcy-two of whom the building afforded accommodation . Tho Chairman then rose

for the purpose of proposing tho toast of tho evening—The health of our Guest and Worthy Secretary , Bro . Terryand in order the better to fulfil one part of his duty in connection with this task he vacated the chair—which

was temporarily occupied by Bro . J . A . Farnfield—and , taking Bro . Terry with him , moved to that part of the hall where hung the veiled portrait of the Secretary . He then spoke at length of tho services which Bro . Terry had rendered to the Benevolent Institution . He was a

thoroughhearted ancl good Mason , and possessed high qualifications for advocating Freemasonry—Charity . Bro . Dr . Crucefix , whose portrait adorned the walls of the room in which they were assembled , was the founder of the Institution , and Bro . Terry had shown a glorious example in carrying

out the great work which the founder had originated . During the last nine years they had been able to double the number of their annuitants , and this was mainly due to the untiring exertions of Bro . Terry ; and he felt it would be a great thing for Bro . Terry ' s family , when

his work was completely done , to reflect how he had been appreciated and loved . Having unveiled the picture , and presented also to Brother Terry the clothing of a Provincial Grand Senior Warden , and a handsome jewel corresponding to his rank in the Craft , as well as the

bracelet for Mrs . Terry , which he left to the more skilful fingers of Mrs . Bowyer to invest that lady with , the Chairman resumed his place at the head of the festive board , and formally proposed the toast we have mentioned . Bro . Terry , in returning thanks , expressed the pride he felt that

his services , with which he had never allowed his individual or home comforts to interfere , had been so handsomely recognised , especially as through the kind instrumentality of the Craft they had had the effect of widening and enlarging the Institution . Twenty years ago , they had paid

away £ 2 , 600 a year in annuities , now they amounted to £ 11 , 600 . Then there were but ninety-one annuitants , now there were 325 . Then tbe annuities were on a sliding scale according to age , the highest male annuity granted being £ 36 , and the lowest £ 15 , while the highest

female annuity was £ 25 , and the lowest £ 15 ; now the men receive £ 40 each , and the women £ 32 . The investments then were about £ 32 , 000 , whereas now they were £ 64 , 000 , so that while the number of recipients had been increased , they had likewise doubled their reserve fund . As

to the testimonial , it was indeed an honour , and one he scarcely knew how to acknowledge , to have his portrait hung in that hall , side by side with that of the Founder of the Institution , and he trusted the picture would remain there for all time , not because it was a memorial of him as

Secretary , but as a token to those who came after , that if they endeavoured to do their duty thoroughly and conscientiously , they would be appreciated by their fellow men as he had been . He also expressed his thanks for the clothing and jewel , and , on behalf of his wife , who he hoped might

be spared for many years , for the testimonial with which they had presented her . On the applause which followed Bro . Terry ' s resumption of his seat ceasing , Bro . John Newton read some impromptu verses he had composed as an address to Bro . Terry , after which Bro . Farnfield gave the

health of the Chairman , for whom , though himself Chairman of the House Committee for tho year , he had made way in the belief that the testimonial to Bro . Terry would have greater weight if presented by the hands of Brother Raynham Stewart . Other toasts followed , including those

of the artist , Mr . H . M . Paget , and the Ladies , and brought a most agreeable celebration to a close . The jewel that was presented bears the following inscription : " This jewel , with the clothing of Senior Grand Warden of Norths ancl

Hunts , was presented to Bro . James Terry , Secretary of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , by the subscribers to the fund for placing his portrait in the Hall of the Asylum at Croydon , in recognition of his untiring energy and unwearied exertions on behalf of the Institn-