Mark Benevolent Fund.

Lord Dungarvan responded for the Grand Officers , and regretted the absence , on account of illness , of the Pro Grand Mark Master the Earl of Euston . He was , however , obeying the doctor ' s orders , and progressing favourably , and they hoped before long he would be with them again . He would like to refer to the

services rendered by . Lord Egerton of Tatton Grand Master of Cheshire , a patron and generous subscriber to the Fund . All the Grand Officers endeavoured to do their best to promote the cause , and on occasions such as that they were generally conspicuous by their presence . *

Col . A . B . Cook said it was the privilege of the Chairman at the previous Pestival to propose the health of his successor , and this he now had the pleasure to do . He considered that Bro . Egerton had great pluck in consenting to preside on the present

occasion , taking into account the large sums of money given last year , and this , to the Masonic Charities . He had worked hard , and when the result was announced he hoped a substantial amount of subscriptions would reward his efforts . The Chairman briefly acknowledged this compliment .

In proposing the toast of the evening , Bro . Egerton said that Charity was the first duty among Freemasons , and in submitting Prosperity to the Mark Benevolent Fund he was sure all Mark Masons would realise that it was worthy of support . The Mark Lodges had made great progress during the pasfc ten years . In 1888 there were only 386 , while this year there were 500 on the roll . In like proportion the Benevolent Fund had increased and

expanded . At the present time they had ten boys and three girls placed at various schools in the country , and fourteen Annuitants in receipt of pensions . It would thus be seen that they were doing good work , and he relied upon their support to extend their sphere of usefulness . The Mark Benevolent Fund was one of the best managed Funds in connection with Masonry , and he therefore confidently asked their support .

Bro . Matier then read out a list of subscriptions , amounting to a total of £ 1 , 728 14 s , which must be looked upon as a fairly good sum , considering the very heavy calls lately made upon the Craft . The Chairman made a personal donation of £ 78 14 s , the London Lodges subscribed £ 246 15 s , the Ladies £ 26 9 s , Cornwall

£ 157 15 s , Derbyshire £ 166 9 s , Yorkshire £ 162 16 s , & c , & c . Bro . Matier referred to the fact that when Lord Egerton presided , the amount subscribed was £ 1 , 721 . The result was received wifch nany cheers . Bro . Eichard Eve was called upon somewhat suddenly to

Mark Benevolent Fund.

respond for the Ladies , but succeeded in making a humorous speech , in which he remarked that the Ladies were delighted to join in the pleasures , as they were ever ready to be with them in

times of pain and trouble . They believed in the charity of the Brotherhood , and would do their utmost to support it . They were astonished afc the amount collected , after the many calls made , but they nevertheless hoped that next year the subscriptions would be doubled .

Major C . W . Carrell and Bro . Charles Belton responded for the Board of Stewards , to whom the Chairman paid a high tribute of thanks . Bros . Kelso King and Davoren acknowledged the toast of the

Visitors , and the company then adjourned to the Grown Room , where a pleasing musical programme was presented by Bro . Edward Branscombe , who was assisted by Madame Isabel George , Madame Marie Hooton , and Bros . Robert Hilton , A . E . Blagrove , and George Pownall . * Seeing the liberal donations of the Grand Officers we wonder whether Lord Dungarvan intended to make a joke , and meant " presents . "

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

we do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Correspondents . All Letters must bear the name and address of the writer , not necessarily for publication , but as a guarantee of good faith . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . SIB , —For many months past a certain person has been advertising his wares in your columns , and from the first announced himself as being " a candidate . " As the Masonic emblems are placed immediately above his name one naturally supposes he is a candidate for Freemasonry , and one still more wonders why he has not yet passed that stage . To me there is something so indecent about it ( Masonically speaking ) that IVwonder the

A PROTEST .

advertisement has not been eliminated altogether , and I am surprised that it should continually appear in the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . Yours truly , OB BEEVER Gravesend , 30 th May 1898 . [ This letter was unfortunately mislaid , or would have appeared at an earlier date . —ED . F . C ]

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