The Next Elections For The Masonic Schools.

THE NEXT ELECTIONS FOR THE MASONIC SCHOOLS .

AFTEE such a result as we were recently enabled to chronicle as the total of the contributions of English Craftsmen to the Masonic Educational Institutions for the past year , it is not to be wondered at that the Committees of the two Schools should have been enabled to recommend ,

nofc only that the existing number of pupils should be maintained , but that in each case additions should be made to the number on the establishment . Success has attended the operations of the Institutions during the past twelve

months to such an extent as to call forth the approval of all who interest themselves in the work of benevolence , and to-day we are in a position to judge the effect this

success will have on the more immediate future . The numbers of pupils in the two Schools are to be increased at the next elections , in April .

In the case of the Girls School the additions decided upon are but slight , still they are sufficient to mark the progress which the Institution is making . At the present

time—when every one is complaining of the badness of trade , and the lack of money—anything like extension in the work of benevolence cannot be too highly applauded , and therefore the additions decided upon in connection

with the Eoyal Masonic Institution for Girls , although small , are sufficient to call forth general congratulation . It is decided ( 1 ) that in case a vacancy occurs from any cause before the newly-elected children are received into

the School , the next highest unsuccessful candidate on the list may be admitted at the next Quarterly Court , and ( 2 ) that one additional girl be elected at the Quarterly General Court in April , thereby raising the number of elected girls in the Institution to 237 . The former of

these resolutions may be looked upon as a mere matter of detail , intended to give the supporters of the Institution au opportunity of preventing a waste of space , as well as the inconvenience of starting a half year with one or more

pupils short of the capacity of the Institution . "With such a number of children as two hundred and thirty-seven to be taken into consideration , it is just as well to provide for emergencies , and it is but natural to suppose that

circumstances may occasionally arise to create an unexpected vacancy . Whenever this rule is taken advantage of it will imply an addition to the Institution for the six months immediately following , and thereby relieve for that period

tho necessities of the family to which the highest un successful candidate for the time being belongs—no trivial advantage , as many a brother ' s widow could testify . Ifc is such small matters as these which prove the watchfulness

and thoroughly hearty manner in which the Committees of our Institutions carry out their self-imposed duties . Nothing that can be thought of is neglected in the desire to relieve the wants of others , and we are convinced it is

only careful consideration for the future which prevents even greater extensions than have just been decided upon . The second proposition is , of course , an addition to the School pure and simple , and will allow of the admission of one more child to the benefits of the Institution . This will

necessarily entail an additional outlay—an outlay which , although terminable at any of the periodical elections , is virtually permanent , as such a proposal as a reduction in the number of pupils must not be even thought of , much less seriously entertained . We think the Craftsmen of

The Next Elections For The Masonic Schools.

England may be relied upon to maintain the Institutions in the future as ably—even if not better—as do the brethren of to-day . Turning to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys wo

have an increase decided upon of a most substantial character , and one which will be hailed with delight by all who have taken a part in raising the funds which have made it possible . Ten additional children are to bo

admitted to the Institution , which already feeds , clothes , and educates two hundred and thirty sons of Freemasons ; so that , after the election in April next , two hundred and

forty boys will be on the books of this Institution . Truly a grand number , and one which , as in the case of tho Girls , wo hope will speedily be increased , but never decreased .

Having referred to the increases which have been decided upon , we may now look at the prospects of the elections , which , as usual , will take place in April . The coming contests promise to be exciting , if they are not

deserving of being termed excessively severe , although to many of those who will take a part in them they will prove painfully severe , as it will be necessary , in spite of the eleven additional vacancies declared , to send thirty-two of the candidates back—unsuccessful . In the case of the

Girls' School twenty-three candidates can be admitted from an approved list of thirty-seven applicants , while in that of the Boys School forty-eight are eligible to go to the poll , to compete for thirty places , a total of eighty-five

candidates , of whom fifty-three only can be admitted . Ifc is much to be regretted that this large proprotion of deserving cases will have to be sent away disappointed , but it is hardly to be expected that members of the Craft can ,

or ever will be able to relieve every ca ? e of distress brought before them . Ifc is rather a subject for rejoicing that as many as fifty-three of the eighty-five candidates can ba

admitted , than thafc we should lament the circumstances which force us to send thirty-two of them back . It is bnfc natural that there should be more candidate * than

vacancies , for there are no ben : fits , such as tbe Schools confer , which can be had simply for the asking ; indeed there are numberless cases in which smal ' er benefactions are sought after , much more than is the case

with the scholarships of our Schools . This proves that the Masons of England are to be congratulated on having , comparatively speaking , so small a number of calls made on them in this respect .

As we have said before , it is the earnest desire of tho Committees of the Masonic Institutions to spread their advantages over as wide an area as possible , and to make the blessings of tho Charities felt to the utmost extent ,

but with the increasing demands which are constantly made on them , and the increased expenditure which is so frequently sanctioned , there must be a corresponding increase in the activity of those who subscribe the money to

carry them on , and in these days of almost universal depression it is difficult to see in what way the contributions of the Craft can be augmented . We can hardly ask those who have already worked to do more than they have

done , but we can , and do , entreat of them to continue their support ; as far as they are able , aud , above all , to enlisfc the services of brethren new to the work . A brother who serves the office of Steward , for instance , should not

consider his work complete until ho has transferred his " representation" of one of tho Institutions to another member of his Ledge . All should strive to encourage regular representation from their Lodges , and no matter