Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The regular meeting of the Committee of Management of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution was held in Freemasons' Hall on Wednesday . Bro . Jabez Hogg , P . G . D ., occupied the chair , and there were present Bros . C . A . Cottebrune , P . G . P . ; Joseph Freeman , James Brett , P . G . P . ; Alex . Mullord , David D .

Mercer , A . G . P . ; G . Bolton , W . J . Murlis , J . Newton , J . M . Case , P . G . D . ; Thomas Cubitt , P . G . P . ; Wm . Smith , Charles G . Hill , A . H . Tattershall , Charles J . Perceval , Charles Lacey , W . Pierpoint , W . A . Scurrah , John Bulmer , Chas . Daniel , J . L . Mather , P . A . G . D . C ; Sam . Brooks , H . Cox , Tames Fraser ,

C . H . Webb , Thomas G . Bullen , G . Std . Br . ; Hugh Cotter , W . Belchamber , W . H . Perryman , P . G . P . ; Hugh M . Hobbs , Geo . W . Marden , John Larkin , and James Terry , P . G . S . B . ( Secretary ) . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and verified ,

The SECRETARY reported the deaths of one male and one widow annuitant and one widow candidate . The Warden ' s report for the past month was read , and one application from the widow of a recentlydeceased candidate for half her late husband ' s annuity was granted . Eleven petitions ( seven men and four widows ) were

considered , with the result that of the male petitions five were accepted , one deferred , and one rejected , while the widows' petitions were accepted , the names of those accepted being ordered to be placed on the list of candidates for the election in May , 1890 . A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the proceedings .

Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .

The General Committee of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys held their monthly meeting at Freemasons' Hall , on Saturday last . Bro . Richard Eve , P . G . Treas ., presided , and there were present Bros . George Plucknett , P . G . D ., Treasurer of the Institution , G . Everett , C . F . Hogard , P . G . Std . Br . ; G . Corbie ,

W . Masters , J . Glass , Joseph D . Langton , S . Richardson , W . A . Scurrah , F . E . Bennett , William Smith , E . Valeriani , E . de la Coste , C . H . Webb , E . Chamberlain , Stanley J . Attenborough , W . W . Morgan , J . S . Cumberland , Gordon Smith , George Mickley , M . A ., M . B ., the Rev . R . Morris , M . A ., LL . D ., W . Maple , Arthur

H . Scurrah , G . P . Britten , A . Durrant , Alfred Lamb , G . R . Langley , G . P . Gillard , J . H . Hawker , W . M . Stiles , J . Newton , C . D . Mote , E . St . Clair , Andrew Motion , A . J . Dixie , W . H . Saunders , G . Motion , Edwin Storr , and F . Binckes , P . G . S . B . ( Secretary ) . The minutes of the previous Committee having been

read and verified , those of the House Committee were read for information . Three petitions were considered , with the result that one was deferred and two accepted , and the names ordered to be placed on the list of candidates for the election in April , 1890 .

Four applications made in respect of grant towards outfit were acceded to . On the motion of Bro . DIXIE , seconded by Bro . CUMBERLAND , the selection of Rev . H . Hebb as the new Head Master was approved . The report of the Provisional Management

Committee , relating to Dr . Morris , was submitted , but what resulted from the discussion thereon is not clear . However , we append the following extracts from this Report : " The Provisional Management Committee has considered the claim of Dr . Morris against the Institution upon the termination of his services , " and " under all

the circumstances , the Committee recommends that a sum of £ 500 be offered to Dr . Morris in settlement of all claims under the agreement and in lieu of notice , and byway of recognition for his services to the Institution , as the Provisional Committee cannot see its way to recommend the granting of a pension to Dr . Morris "

A report was also presented , but merel y for the information of the Committee , on the subject of Bro . Binckes ' s retiring allowance , from which we extract the following passage : " The Provisional Committee , having regard to the small majority with which the resolution as to Bro .

Binckes ' s retiring allowance was carried , and the various other circumstances connected therewith , ask the Court not to proceed further with the resolution granting a pension of ^ 350 , and to substitute in place thereof one of £ 250 . " +

Presentation Of A Banner To Ryburn Lodge, No. 1283.

PRESENTATION OF A BANNER TO RYBURN LODGE , No . 1283 .

At the annual meeting of the above lodge , held on Wednesday , the 27 th ult ., at the Masonic Hall , Town Hall-street , Sowerby Bridge , the W . M ., Bro . Thomas Gaukroger , P . A . G . P ., before installing the W . M . elect , said : Brethren—Before I vacate this chair and retire

from the office of W . M ., and before I install my successor , there is one little pleasure which I should like to have , and that is to present to this lodge a banner . I determined on my being made W . M . of this lodge to do so , but could not possibly tell what form it was to take , for had this lodge been consecrated to some patron saint or nobleman or country squire , the design

Presentation Of A Banner To Ryburn Lodge, No. 1283.

would have made itself patent at once , but as for the Ryburn , the name of a river , I could not tell what to make of it , so in my difficulty I consulted Bro . Kendall , P . M ., P . P . G . P ., and he at once came to the rescue in his usual way . I left it entirely in his hands to do as he thought proper , and the result will be shown to you s , t ;

immediately . I now have great pleasure in presenting to you , Bro . Kendall , as the oldest P . M . of this lodge , on behalf of the brethren of the lodge , this banner , hoping it will be accepted and appreciated in the same spirit as it is given . The banner was then taken by Bro . Kendall and

unfurled , to the great delight of the brethren . Bro . Kendall then replied : Worshipful Sir , —As the oldest P . M . of Ryburn Lodge , and on behalf of the brethren of the lodge , I have very great pleasure in accepting at your hands this splendid gift . It is another and very striking illustration of the generosity which

you have always displayed since you became a member of this lodge , and crowns your retirement from that chair which you have so honourably filled with a halo that will never be dispersed so long as the Ryburn Lodge exists . The kindness and amiability you have on all occasions displayed to the brethren of this lodge

will , lam sure , always be in their remembrance . This gift supplies a want which the brethren of this lodge have long felt , and I am pleased to see that the spirit which actuated our late W . M ., Bro . Haigh , has been so nobly emulated in yourself . I trust that spirit of emulation in our W . M . ' s will continue , because there

are yet many things we require before our lodge is completely furnished , and perchance our Bro . Hallas , the W . M . elect , might not thoroughly understand what I mean or to what I allude jl would just say en passant , that a set of tracing boards are required and would be thankfully received . No doubt many of you

will wonder and ask , " What does the design on the banner represent ? " As our W . M . has just said , had it been a saint or a coat-of-arms , there would have been no trouble in the matter , but the river Ryburn was to him a perplexity . He has also told you he left the matter in my hands . After thinking about it for a few

days I came to the conclusion that as our lodge was consecrated at the Royal Hotel , on Sept . 7 , 186 9 , which stands on the banks of the Ryburn , and as our present lodge rooms are only a few yards from the Ryburn , that a design showing the junction of the R y burn and Calder would be very appropriate . I drew a sketch of

the place and procured the aid of our local artist , Mr . Rushworth , who has also painted the banner . I submitted a pencil sketch to our R . W . P . G . M ., Bro . Tew , giving him a short history of ( he place , with which he was very much pleased and thought the design very appropriate . It represents this part of the town in

1700 . I he church shown here on the bank of the river is the old church built in 1526 , and which was pulled down in 1819 or 1820 . The buildings exactly opposite this lodge room stand on the site of the old church . On the left of the painting is the junction of the two rivers . I hope , brethren , that this little explanation of the

design will cause you to understand my motive in choosing it . And now , W . Sir , I thank you on behalf of the brethren of R yburn Lodge for this and all your many kindnesses to us , and pray that the G . A . O . T . U . may bless and prosper you and yours , and spare your valuable and useful life for many years . That you may

still come to these rooms and under that banner ( which you have so kindl y g iven to-day ) assist in teaching and carrying out those principles of Freemasonry which shine out so prominently in all your transactions , and that when in His good time it seemeth fit to remove you from this earthly lodge , you may ascend to that

Grand Lodge above where the world ' s Great Architect lives and reigns for ever . Bro . Wm . Haigh , P . M ., on behalf of the brethren , presented Bro . Kendall with a very handsome framed carbon copy of the warrant of the lodge . In acknowledging the compliment paid to him , Bro .

KENDALL said that he should always prize it , as it bore testimony to his being the first Senior Warden and one of the founders of the lodge . Bro . Gledhill Hallas was then installed W . M . by Bro . T . Gaukroger , P . M ., assisted b y Bro . Kendall . During the ceremony of installation , Bro . T . Buckland

sang with great effect " Be thou faithful unto death . " After the lodge was closed the brethren adjourned to the Bull ' s Head Hotel , where a sumptuous banquet had been provided by Bro . and Mrs . Greenwood , which was partaken of b y about 40 brethren , presided over by Bro . Hallas .

After the banquet the usual loyal and Masonic toasts were proposed and duly honoured . A great musical treat was also provided by the singing of Bros . Richards , Milligan , Buckland , Greenwood ,

Walker , Thorpe , and Kendall , their efforts being ably supported by the splendid accompaniment of Bro . Gaukroger , the Organist of Christ Church . There were many visitors , who expressed their satisfaction and pleasure at being present .

This week the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have been visiting Bro . W . A . Tyssen-Amherst , M . P ., and Mrs . Amherst , at Didlington Hall , Norfolk , and among the guests invited to meet their Royal Highnesses were the Duke and Duchess of Roxburghe , llro . the Earl and Countess of Wharncliffe , and Bro . Sir A . Sullivan .

Bro . the Earl and Countess of Zetland have been entertaining a number of guests at Aske Hall prior to their departure for Dublin . A special train with the Aske tenants , the State and other carriages , and some of the horses left Richmond Station en route for Dublin on the 6 th inst . His lordship will make his state entry into Dublin as Lord-Lieutenant to-morrow ( Saturday ) .

Presentation Of A Banner To Ryburn Lodge, No. 1283.

AN OLD MASON . At the last meeting of the Lodge of Fidelity , No . 3 , the Secretary read the following letter , which had been received from a former member of the lodge , who had been initiated so long ago as 1837 . It is interesting , as showing the hold which the Masonic bond has on the affections of its members , even after the lapse of half a century : —

Marshfield , Archhill , Auckland , New Zealand , May 24 th , 1889 . To the Worshipful Master , Officers , and Brethren of the Lodge Fidelity , No . 3 ( E . C ) . No doubt you will be surprised at receiving this communication from me , James Anderson , who

received his Masonic light in your esteemed lodge on the 13 th day of December , 1837 ; Bro . Lee , as Worshipful Master , and Bro . Ansle , of Seymour-street , Somerstown , my proposer . After so many years , no doubt no one in the lodge now can look back to that time , as all the brethren

were older than myself . I cannot now tell how long I continued a member , as circumstances in business , and getting surrounded with a young large family , I left London with seven sons and one daughter 33 years ago for New Zealand in the ship Eastfield ; arrived all well after 133 days of a most

pleasant passage . On the same month joined the Lodge Waitemata , No . 68 9 ( E . C ) , and ever since taken an active part in Masonry , part of the time a Secretary until the opening of the Lodge St . Andrew , No . 418 ( S . C ) , being on that occasion Senior Deacon , and am now the oldest member of the lodge , the only one left who was present on that occasion .

Having removed from Auckland to Christ Church , joined the Robert Burns at its first opening , taking an active part in its working for some years , and the last three years as Chaplain , at the end of which time was made an Honorary Member . Circumstances brought me back again to Auckland ,

and joining my old lodge , St . Andrew ' s , again was received amongst its members with pleasurable feelings , and now am made an honorary member , being unable to take part in its working in consequence of age and infirmities , having reached 82 years and three months . I still attend the lodge although three miles distant

from my home . You will see b y the above date it is over 52 years since 1 was made a Mason in your honourable lodge , and having a great desire to communicate once with you before I am gone hence . I am sure you will forgive the feeling when I say I

have ever found friends in Masonry but never an enemy . It pleases me much to send congratulations and " Hearty good wishes " to ¦ the Worshipful Master , officers , and brethren of your esteemed lodge . I would that all men were Masons .

Masonry has become a great power , permeating every corner in the world , and I humbly pray tnat it m . ty oe an instrument in the hand of the Great Architect of the Universe in bringing about universal peace to all nations b y arbitration , so that brethren of different nations may never meet face to face with sword in hand .

That power wielded ari ght through the Divine assistance would be able to say . thus far hast th y blasting hand gone , but no further . Now that New Zealand and other Colonies are fast emerging out of many difficulties , by a spirit of unity

the English , Irish , and Scotch Masons are about uniting into one bod y , which is a good omen for the future good and strength of all . An example to the outer world to follow—by a determined united voice from Masons those evils would soon succumb .

My health is good , but from age and warnings given it cannot be of long duration , so I was desirous before the closing scene to send this letter to the Worshi pful Master , officers , and brethren of the Lodge Fidelity , No . 3 ( E . C ) . —Yours fraternally . JAMES ANDERSON .

The Annual Pledge.

THE ANNUAL PLEDGE .

Dear Sir Kni g ht , The Templar Correspondents , on Christmas , December 25 th , at noon , Eastern Standard time ( equivalent to 5 p . m . Greenwich ) , will join in a libation pledging Grand Master John P . S . Gobin , of the United States , the sentiment to

be—I o the Keystone of the Templar Arch , our Grand Master from the Keystone State . " The Grand Master sends the following response : "The Templar Arch embraces the Knights Templar of the world , and component parts of it are found wherever the banner of the Cross is displayed . With

the Grand Masters of England , Canada , and every other jurisdiction may we unitedly labour to promote the prosperity of the Order , and perpetuate ' peace on earth , goodwill to men' everywhere—certainl y in the brotherhood . "

( Signed ) STEPHEN BERRY , Templar Correspondent , Maine . WM . J AMES HUGHAN , Correspondent for Great Britain and Ireland . ( Members of No . 2076 and the " CC . " are asked to join . )