Is Freemasonry Declining.

ways , making expression of its vigorous life and advancing power . It is still the leading fraternity among the world's association that exercise their social and humane ministries . Freemasonry is not declining in the character of its

membership . Doubtless there are weak , indifferent brethren , who would not meet the tests of any severe trial with much of stedfast devotion to the Craft . In the anti-Masonic days , some denied the faith , and showed how empty

and vain their Masonic professions had been . Under the same conditions , most likely some brethren who have been ready to enter a popular organization , would be equally ready to forsake it if it became unpopular . But beside

these are others , the majority of the Fraternity as we believe , who axe most allegiant to Freemasonry both as a system and an Institution . They have Masonic enthusiasm , devotion , zeal , and in their hands the interests of the Craft will

suffer no loss . We have a feeling of pride when we consider the membership of Masonic Lodges , and notice the intelligence , moral worth , and true manhood therein represented . Our Institution will not decline , so long as

it can call to itself such material and be thus supported . Freemasonry is not declining in its service of social , benevolent , and moral good . It performs a benign work in a way hidden from the general view . It administers its

practical charities in a way peculiar to itself . It relieves much suffering , and sends the gleams of hope and joy into many darkened homes and hearts . It brings its followers together in sweet and hallowed fellowship , and by its

blessed communications of friendly thought and help

augments the zest of life . It gives moral helps and delights as well , thus making its offices felt in all that tends to the establishment of a worthy character , and the

maintaining of a useful and true life . While Freemasonry makes its power to be felt in such directions ; while it exercises so broad and blessed a ministry among men , there need be no fear of its decline or fall . It will endure as au

agency of good—an instrumentality of light and blessing , which has resting upon it the Divine approval . —Freemason ' t Eevository .

The Third Tottenham And Enfield Masonic Charitable Association.

THE THIRD TOTTENHAM AND ENFIELD MASONIC CHARITABLE ASSOCIATION .

THE annual report of this valuable Association has just been presented , and , as we have reported the progress of the movement in the last three years , we have pleasure in observing , from the final balance-sheet , before us , that the efforts of the promoters have

been brought to a successful issue . The President of the Association , which has proved of so much benefit to tbe members daring the existence of the organisation , is Bro . John Mailer P . M . 754 , who has been assisted by Bros . E . Poore P . M . 1237 , P . Prov .

G . D . C . Middlesex , Vice-President ; J . H . Thompson P . M . 1707 , P . Prov . G . S . B . Middlesex Treasurer ; J . Garrod P . M . 754 , H . V . Clements S . W . 1237 , P . M . 754 , & c . P . P . G . A . S . Middlesex , E . J . Everdell P . M . 1579 , W . M . Tegg P . M . 754 , E . G . Lewis P . M .

754 , & c , G- Tegg W . M . 1579 , & c , A . Bryant P . M . 1237 P . Prov . G . J . D . Middlesex , W . J . Meek S . D . 754 , J . D . Birkin J . W . 754 , E . F . Day 534 , J . Steer 1579 , G . Kowe P . M . 754 , J . M . Endd P . M . 1579 , S . Parsons S . D . 1237 , Committee ; and A . J . Fiddler W . M . 754 P . Prov . G . S . D . Middlesex Hon . Sec . The Committee , in presenting

their report , state that during the past year £ 110 16 s 6 d has been subscribed , and eleven appropriations made to tbe three Masonic Charitable Institutions . The total amount subscribed dnring the four years of the existence of the Association amounts to £ 409 2 s 6 d , and the Committee congratulate the members on its being brought to

so successful an issne . The total amount subscribed by the three Associations was over £ 1 , 600 , a result which reflects the highest credit and satisfaction , not only upon the executive but the members generally . It is unnecessary to enter into minute details as to the manner in which the Funds of the Association havo been dispensed

, but a glance at the balance-sheet is sufficient to show the vast amount of good which has been effected , and the substantial benefit which has been accorded to the three Charities connected with the Craft . Joining in the congratulations expressed

by the Committee , we heartily hope that any future exertions in the same laudable direction by similar Associations may be crowned with equal , if not greater , success than that which has attended the movement which has just been closed with such satisfaction to all concerned in the Third Tottenham and Enfield Masonic Charitable Association .

The following Festivals were celebrated at Freemasons ' Tavern during the week ending Saturday , 17 th April 1886 : — Monday—Leigh Lodge . Tuesday—Wanderers' LodgeJerusalem

, Chapter , Prudent Brethren Chapter . Wednesday—Banquet to Lord E . Churchill , Enoch Lodge , Lodge of Fidelity , John Hervey Lodge Thursday-Globe Lodge , St . Mary's Lodge , Universal Lodge . Friday—Jordan Lodge .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

We do not hold ourselves responsible for the -jnnioua of our C « rrespondents . 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 .

THE MASONIC INSTITUTIONS .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —A short time since a letter , signed " P . M . 1607 , " appeared in your columns , and appended to it were the financial tables for the year so arranged as to convey the compiler ' s view of the position of the several Provinces in relation to the

three Masonio Charities . In the letter the Province of Lincolnshire is made to appear greatly in default , as the following extract will show : — " The next on the Hat ia Lincolnshire , with an annual deficiency of £ 640 . Now this case is worse than the preceding , for while Devonshire is taking £ 1020 from the fands she is contributing at

the rate of nearly £ 378 per annum . Lincolnshire , on the other hand , ia burdening the funds with £ 696 per annum , to which she contributes something under £ 60 . I am given to understand this Province is starting Provincial Charities of its own , and a very good thing too ; but she shonld be just before she is generous , and not lay all the

burden of her destitute Craftsmen and their belongings on the shoulders of the other Provinces . The Benevolent are short by over £ 233 , the Boys' £ 246 , and the Girls' 156 . " Such boys , girls and annuitants from this Province as are now deriving benefit from the Masonio Institutions have secured these advantages either by the

payment of a sum in cash , or because a sufficient number of votes was given in their favour , and as the votes given to them were secured by the payment of a sum of money representing their value , it is somewhat difficult to understand the meaning of the paragraph from the letter of " P . M . 1607 " above quoted . The Province has

voting power , for whioh it has paid ; is it not at liberty to use it in securing the object for which votes are acquired ? or is the Province in possession of benefits from the Masonio Institutions to which it is not entitled ? In what way is it acting unjustly ? It would be instructive if "P . M . 1607 " would make these points

clear . Apart from the above , the figures given in the Tables , as far as this Province is concerned , are far from being correct , and it ia much to be regretted that the compiler of the tables did not make sure that his figures were accurate before giving publicity to them . Seven years' contributions to the Boys'

Institution are put down as £ 161 3 s , whereas over £ 490 has been sent in support of this Institution dnring the period named . The cost this year is put down at £ 270—that is , charging for six boys , whereas two of the six boys in the Institution are " Oliver Memorial " boys , and were purchased into the School—over £ 180 having been

paid on account of each boy , so that clearly their cost should not be placed side by side with the contributions from the Province . The cost of the girls is pat down at £ 170 , whereas it should be £ 136 , there being only four girls in the School , and not five as calculated for . The contributions for the seven years are said to be £ 94 10 s

whereas over £ 196 was contributed for such period . As to the Benevolent Institution , I regret I cannot get at the total sum sent from the Province for the seven years , but I know in 1885 two Lodges contributed nearly £ 90 to this Institution , apart from the ordinary subscriptions of say £ 14 , and there should be placed to the

credit of the seven years in question , something like £ 115 being the proportion of the purchase money for about fifty votes for fifteen years . The figures given by me * make a difference of about £ 200 in favour of this Province , and reduce what " P . M . 1607 " calls a deficiency of £ 640 to about £ 430 . As far as I can form an

opinion of the future of this Province there is , I believe , a strong and loyal attachment to the Central Charities , which the inaccurate and misleading remarks of " P . M . 1607 " will not seriously interfere

with . The stream of Masonic benevolence has it is true been largely directed for some time to the formation of Provincial Charities , which lam glad "P . M . 1607 " approves of , but I hope that at no distant date the Province will direct its charitable efforts towards

further helping the grand Central Institutions , of which every Mason may be justly proud . I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours fraternally , B . TICKERS , Prov . G . S . Lincoln , 9 th April 1886 .