The Anniversary Festival Of The R.M.B.I.

Indeed , to each and every , who contributed in any way to the result of Wednesday's gathering , are due the thanks of the whole body of Freemasonry . We have reserved all reference to Bro . Terry till the last . We all know how hard he works : how he throws

himself heart and soul iuto the business of his office ; how he interests himself iu the welfare of tho annuitants ; how he lays himself open to provide thorn on occasions with some special entertainment ; and how , moreover , he is ever ready to satisfy the inquiries of Craftsmen who may visit

him at the offices of the Institution in Freemasons' Hall . We are also but too well aware , and our readers are also well informed on all these points , how , night after night in well nigh every week of the year , he , like his colleague of the Boys' School , Bro . Binckes , goes about

visiting Lodges , not only in London , but in the Provinces likewise , his great object boing to plead the cause of the Institution with which he is associated . Thero are those who say this self-imposed duty is quite unnecessary , and that brethren are not likely to be

less liberal if they are left to themselves . This is not the view we take . We think the course which has been pursued by Bros . Terry aud Binckes so successfully for many years past is right . We think it very likely that a considerable number of guineas would have to be

subtracted from the contributions to our Institutions , if the personal exertions of the two most experienced of our Secretaries were not made , as they are constantly being made , in open Lodge and Chapter . We do not envy either of these energetic brethren the task they

conscientiously feel it their duty to undertake and so honourably fulfil . It is no light matter to be , say , one day in Birmingham , then in Manchester , then in Sheffield , and , after a short interval , it may be , in Portsmouth , or Exeter . To carry this on for any length of time a man must have

an iron constitution . It will probably be said that the Girls' School , under the present management , has been very successful without any peripatetic advocacy whatever . But the Girls' School reaps all the benefit of the labours of Bros . Binckes and Terry without incurring any of their

trouble . Moreover , our late respected Brother Little was of the same opinion as his surviving colleagues . Perhaps , as this is somewhat of a controversial matter , we had better say nothing further , and leave the Executive of each of our three Charities to adopt the policy which suits them

best . Let us bring these remarks , therefore , to a conclusion . The Festival just over will be a memorable one even among the great successes which have been achieved these latter years . The period is not the most favourable for heavy subscription lists . There are strikes and slackness of

trade in one part of the United Kingdom , and there is civil disturbance in another . These do not justify our looking for unusual results , and yet , in spite of such depressing circumstances as admittedly exist in some parts of the country and must exercise a certain influence over the

whole , the Festival of the Boyal Masonic Benevolent Institution , under the presidency of Sir Henry Edwards , backed by a Board of Stewards of close on 400 brethren , has proved a grand success . Let us trust this may prove an augury of what will happen at the Anniversaries of our two Schools .

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

THE Anniversary Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institntion for Aged Freemasons and Widows of Freemasons was held on Wednesday afc the Freemasons Tavern , Great Qneen-sfcreefc , London , nnder the presidency of Lient .-Col . Sir Henry Edwards , Bart ., D . L ., Provincial Grand Master for West Yorkshire . The noble Chairman was supported hy the largest number of Stewards

ever known in connection with any of the Festivals of the Charities of the Order , no less than 395 brethren being enrolled on the list . The resnlt of their efforts was an addition of npwards of £ 14 , 000 to the funds , which amonnt is far in advance of anything ever subscribed at one of the Masonic Festivals . The large banquetting hall was filled to its ntmost capability , and generally the Festival was a grand

success . The chairman was well supported by members of Grand Lodge , as well as by a very considerable nnmber of brethren from his own Province . Grace having been said by Bro . Rev . 0 . J . Martyn , Deputy G . M . Suffolk , the banquet was served . We cannot omit a word of praise to Bro . Best and his staff for the way in which the

exceptionally large party was catered for ; everything appeared to have been thoroughly well arranged , and the whole party was properly provided for . The mnsical arrangements were nnder the direction of Bro . Charles E . Tinney , Organist of Asaph Lodge , No . 1319 . Grace having been sung , the toasts of the evening were proceeded with . The Chairman , in proposing the first toast— " Her Most Gracious

Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

Majesty the Queen "—referred to her many intimate associations with tho Craft ; she was the Patroness of the Order , the daughter of a Mason , the niece of a Grand Master , and the mother of our much respected and esteemed Ruler , who was , without doubt , the most popular man in the kingdom . It would be , he thought , unbecoming to do more than express their admiration of her noble character and

her many virtues . Long mig ht she continue to reign over a loving and loyal people , of whom not the least loyal were the Freemasons of England . In giving " His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales , K . G ., Tklost Worshipful Grand Master , onr Patron and President , the Princess of Wales , and the other Members of the Royal Family , " Sir Henry said—The Princo of Wales , our noble Chief , was installed

, in 1875 , in the presence of at least ten thousand Masons—the largest gathering and most distinguished assemblage of Freemasons ever held in this or any other country . He hoped His Royal Highness might be long spared to fill this honourable position and shed his in . flnence over the Craft . The Masons of England were not only in . debted to the Prince of Wales , but likewise to his two brothers , who

had each filled high positions in the Craft , and were at all times anxious to advance its interests . To the other members of the Royal Family they were equally indebted for very many acts of kindness and consideration . The next toast was , " The Right Hon . the Earl of Carnarvon Most Worshipful Pro Grand Master , the Right Hon . the Earl of Lathom Right Worshipful Deputy Grand Master , and the

Present and Past Grand Officers . " Sir Henry Edwards said , —The Earl of Carnarvon was not only well known to ali as occupying a high position in Masonry , bnt as a statesman and a highly gifted nobleman . All regretted his absence abroad , on account of delicate health , and earnestly hoped that he might ba speedily restored to health and enabled again to preside over their deliberations in Grand

Lodge . The Earl of Lathom Deputy Grand Master , without exception , was perhaps the most industrious Freemason in England , and Lord Beaconsfield has honoured him in giving him a step in nobility . The name of Skelmersdale was a household word amongst Masons . Let those who did not know him , if any exist , go to West Lancashire for his character , there he was at home . Bro . Col . Shad .

well H . Gierke Grand Secretary replied on behalf of the Grand Officers . In proposing " Success to the Royal Masonio Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and the Widows of Freemasons , " Sir Henry Edwards said , —Ladies and Brethren , —This chair has been occupied by many worthy Masons , but never did one take it with a higher sense of the honour or a hig her sense of the responsibility attached to the position than myself . I am satisfied that it is no part of my

dnty this evening to plead for this Benevolent Institntion . I am rather in the position of one to return thanks for most indefatigable labours with noble results . I am , like yourselves , most anxious to hear from Bro . Terry the outcome of the Stewards' labours . I may nofc anticipate his secret , bufc I know sufficient to warrant me in saying that some modern Homer mnst have found brethren in generous mood when he

sang—Since kind Heaven with wealth our realm hath blest , Give it to Heaven by aiding the distresfc . He did not plead in vain . I may now mention thafc this Institution was first suggested by His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex , Most Worshipfnl Grand Master in 1842 , when thirteen male annuitants received £ 290 ; now 150 male annuitants receive £ 6000 , or £ 40 each .

In 1849 the Widows' Fnnd was founded , under the late Earl of Zetland Mnst Worshipful Grand Master , when five widows received £ 75 ; now 155 widows receive £ 4960 , in incomes of £ 32 each . Since the establishment of the Institution 531 brethren have received these annuities , and 304 widows have had their closing days cheered from this source . Ronndlv stated , the permanent income is £ 2610 , and

the expenditure £ 13 , 000 , leaving a deficiency each year of £ 10 , 400 . There pre now 99 applicants , and only 20 vacancies . There is an Asylum at Croydon , affording a home for 33 annuitants , who have each two rooms , and are provided with medical attendance free , nnd coals during the winter . It needs no words from me to commend the toast entrusted to me , and I give you , " Success to the Royal

Masonic Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and the Widows of Freemasons . " I call upon Bro . Terry to read the Stewards ' lists . Bro . . 1 . Terry , Secretary of the Institntion , then announced , amid the heartiest enthusiasm , the result of the Stewards' efforts , the list we give below , with alterations and additions made up to the time of going to press . Colonel Le Gendre N . Starkie , D . L ., R . W .

Prov . Grand Master for East Lancashire , having proposed " The Health of tbe Chairman , " Sir Henry , in responding , said : He could not adequately acknowledge the very kind and too flattering manner in which they had received the toast of his health . He assured his gallant , eloquent , and generous friend and neighbour , Colonel Starkie , he highly appreciated the kind expressions he had given utterance

to . Would thafc he deserved all thafc he had said . When invited to take the chair at this Festival , he felt great diffidence , fearing perhaps the noble Institution migh suffer in bis hands ; on the contrary , he had , indeed , reasons to be proud of the response to Bro . Terry's appeal . He would not attempt to say more than how deeply grateful be felt to the London brethren for their share in the munificent

contribution . They would , he was sure , forgive him if he added one word of thanks to his dear brethren of West Yorkshire , who had nofc only subscribed largely , bnt had done him the honour of coming to London to be present and support him that evening . His best , his warmest thanks were due to the noble band of Stewards—no fewer than 395—the very largest nnmber enrolled afc any Festival . He mnst not forget his excellent and untiring friend the Secretary , Bro .

James Terry , to whom he was especially and deeply indebted for his courteous assistance , and to whom all were indebted for the admirable manner in which he had discharged his onerous duties . With reference to the contribution of West Yorkshire , he might perhaps be permitted to state thafc the amonnt announced was nob tbe largest over sent up by a Province , but he might say that they gave every year something , and the aggregate for the past seven previous years amounted to £ 13 , 000 for the three Masonic Institutions . Bra