The Approaching Festival.

THE APPROACHING FESTIVAL .

IT is a recognised axiom that all things come to those "who wait;—the cynic has added the two ominous words—long enough . Be this as it may , the saying holds good , and is one generally accepted by the community at large . Its application , however , in the case to which we desire to direct our readers '

attention to-day is one that will commend itself to all Craftsmen who are interested in the welfare of the Masonic Institutions . Bro . Terry and his Committee have waited long and with deep concern for a prominent and energetic Chairman for their next Festival , and we are now able to announce thatBrother

C . E . Keyser , J . P ., Grand Deacon of the year , has kindly placed his services at their disposal . The date fixed for the gathering is the 22 nd February next , so that we have but little more than three weeks to make the necessary final arrangements , but the good work done on previous occasions may be taken as an earnest that no effort will be spared now that a clear course

offers . It is a matter for regret , however , that so much valuable time has been losb , and this for several pertinent reasons . In the first place , on the well grounded assumption that advantage should be taken of each stray incident , it will be readily conceded that every effort was made last year to bring home as

prolific a crop of contributions as could be garnered , no matter how the field of operations would feel the strain in years to come . The result of last year ' s Festival was financially greater than could have been anticipated by oven the most sanguine of the Institution ' s supporters , and all who took part in the

gigantic struggle were prepared to recognise the powerful influence of the under current that would have to be encountered in future operations . Let us but secure enough to cover the year ' s working expenses and all will be well , is the remark we have heard made time after time when the current year ' s nrospects have

been under consideration . What we desire is , — that the amount invested in the Jubilee Year should not have to be encroached on , but shall stand as a permanent record of what the Craft could do in _ support of their glorious Charities . This contention is a sound one . It has long been

matter for regret that the permanent income of our three Institutions does not stand on a more substantial basis , and the proposal and carrying out of the scheme whereby fifty thousand pounds was invested , met with almost universal approval from the Craft at large , and many were the pledges given to assist should such an emergencv arise as' that of a

threatened exhaustive run upon the annual income . This is as itshould be . The Institution is controlled , as regards its management , by a Committee who possess the confidence of the Craft ; the official duties are carried out . in a precise and methodical way that has elicited loud commendation , while the sphere of

The Approaching Festival.

work embraces the dispensing of relief to a large body of deserving brethren , and their widows . Some may marvel then that any serious difficulty should arise when the question of a President for the Annual Festival has to be considered . A little time ,

however , may well be spent by any one who may be inclined to think this a trivial matter . In the first place there is a vast field to be operated upon , and the other Institutions have to be considered , as it is undesirable that any clashing of interests shall arise . As a consequence some magnate who has a strong

following is usually sought for ; but our public men of the present day have many claims , both at home and abroad , upon them , consequently it is not always possible , however ready they may be , to make arrangements for many months ahead .

And now lor a few words in regard to the popular brother who has so kindly stepped forward on this occasion to fill the presidential chair . Bro . Keyser is better known perhaps to the brethren of the Province of Hertfordshire than to those who form what is called the Metropolitan contingent , at the same time for

years past he has been a regular attendant at the principal gatherings of the Craft in the Metropolis , and has taken a deep interest in the Institutions , to all of which he has been a liberal contributor . He was initiated in the Isaac Newton Lodge , Cambridge ; he

has served the office of Worshipful Master in the Watford Lodge , No . 404 , and at the present time is the Senior Warden of Lodge of Antiquity , No . 2 . In the Province of Hertfordshire he holds rank as a Past Grand Warden , and he has done good suit and

service as a member of the Board of General Purposes . He has also participated actively in other Masonic spheres . He is a man of ready resource , and we are assurad that no effort will be spared by him to make the gathering on the 22 nd proximo a successful one . SO MOTE IT BE .

How To Overcome Apathy.

HOW TO OVERCOME APATHY .

Light on Matters Appertaining to the Craft . —Meetings of Lodges must be made both Pleasant and Attractive to the Members . An Oration before the Grand Lodge of Freemasons in California , October 1892 , by Bro . Eeuben H . Lloyd , Grand Orator ,

( Continued from page 43 ) . SUPPOSE yon are sitting aronnd yonr family circle , and some friend comes in and says , " I have a friend I would like to introduce to yon ; he is my friend , a nice

gentleman and a good fellow , and I want you to know him . " What do you do ? You . ' ( ay , " Bring him in . " Of course yon get up , are introduced and shake him by the

hand , give him the best seat in the house , engage in social chat with the new comer , trying to make him at home as much as- possible , make hftn feel as you fc " , *!• - f von r . ro