Devon Masonic Educational Fund.

Torquay Lodge was the daughter of a brother who died there last year . The votes brought forward were 470 . The result of the voting was that the llfracombe candidate secured in all 3171 votes , and the Torquay candidate 1401 votes , which were carried forward to next election . The Scrutineers reported that 3304 votes had been issued , but that 144 papers were useless , not having been filled up . The Chairman was warmly thanked for presiding , and a very pleasant evening terminated .

The Recent Festival Of The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

THE RECENT FESTIVAL OF THE ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The following litis and additions to . litis have been received since our report of the ist inst ., namely : — Lodge LONDON . I s . d . 7 S 1 Bro . A . P . Bebrouth , additional ... ... 10 10 o ( raising his list to £ 19 6 IUS . ) £ 62 „ W . C . Tyler , additional ... ... ... 720 ( raising- his list to , £ 112 2 s . ) 1635 „ F . C . Van Duzer , further additional ... 220 ( raising his list to £ 43 Ss . )

THE PROVINCES . ESSEX . ^ ' 343 > i — Weymouth , new Steward and list ... 10 10 o KENT . 1915 „ J . R . Elvin ( Lewis ) , additional __ ... ... 52 10 o ( raising his list to £ 105 . )

2404 „ Capt . Fras . Powell , further additional ... 10 10 0 ( raising his list to £ . 97 17 s . ) LINCOLNSHIRE . 83 s » W . II . Gane , additional ... ... 5 5 0 ( raising his list to £ . 36 15 s . ) MONMOUTHSHIRE . To the total for the whole of the Province , additional ... 30 o o ( making the amount £ 480 . )

NORTHS AND HUNTS . Unattached Bro . John IIaviland , additional ... ... 5 5 0 ( raising his list to £ 26 5 s . ) „ George Ellard , additional ... ... 15 15 o ( raising his list to £ 54 is . Gd . )

OXFORDSHIRE . Lodge 103 O Bro . the Hon . II . Lee-Dillon , new list ... ... 10 14 o SOMERSETSHIRE . Prov . G . Ledge , additional ... ... ... 4 10 o ( raising the total to £ 25 ios . ) SURREY . Ledge

2444 Bro . E . H . Lewis , further additional ... ... 1 10 o ( raising his list to ^ . 49 12 s . ) SUSSEX . " ' •^ Bro . G . Fielder ... ... ... ... 350

( raising his list to , ( , 60 12 s . ) WORCESTERSHIRE . The Province ... ... ... ... ... 17 S 10 o ( raising the total for the whole body of Worcestershire Stewards to £ 221 lis . )

Craft Masonry.

Craft Masonry .

Strong- Man Lodge , No . 45 . A meeting of this important lodge was held at the Holborn Restaurant on Tuesday , the 4 th instant . There were present Bros . Win . Briggs , L . L . M ., VV . M . ; Tom Taylor , S . W . ; T . Ockelford , J . W . ; G . G . Symons , P . M ., Treas . ; W . G . Mills , P . M ., Sec . ; T . J . Burgess , J . D . ; ID . A . Langton , P . M ., D . C . ; J . Briggs , M . A ., Org . and Asst . O . C .: ii . J . Vidler , I . G . ; VV . R . G . Emerson , F . Bristow , and G . Smith , Stewards ;

1 . Williams , acting Tyler- I . Cuer , I . P . M . ; F . VV . Driver , M . A ., P . M . ; Chas . Ccrdmgley , P . M . ; Philip Sharp , P . M ., P . G . Std . Br . Herts ( Preceptor of the Lodge of Instruction ) , Hon . Member ; E . M . Hall , ) . J . Berry , A . G . Peckham , A . Davies , E . Ihornicroft , G . F . Ward , J . H . Telmes , J . King , A . Hall , C . Helby , J . L . Leslie , B . Hall , T . W . Heaton , and H . Durell . Visitors : Bros . E . Holmes , Org . 2499 ; A . W . Hoskins , 1 S 1 G ; A . \ V . Alger , 159 S ; E . M . Money , P . A . G . D . C . Eng . ; N , C . Crewl , W . M . 209 G ; and R . I . Harris , W . M . 1 G 95 .

the lodge was opened by the VV . M ., when the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . The ballot was taken for Mr . C . Helby and Dr . J . L . Leslie , which proved unanimous in their favour . The election of Auditors then took place , Bros . Sells , Bromley Hall , and Durell being elected . Bro . Mallet was elected Tyler . Bro . J . Briggs asked the appioval of the brethien for the formation of a Royal Arch chapter in connection with the lodge , which was unanimously granted . Messrs . Helby an ( j Leith were initiated bthe W . M . in an ableand impressive manner . The election

y of VV . M . for the ensuing year then took place , the choice of the brethren falling upon *! ' ( . m Taylor , S . W ., who returned thanks forthe honour conferred upon him . Bro . iV' -u ' r ¦ ' ) n , cns was again elected Treasurer . The initiates having returned to the lodge , it r gave " 1 e cl - £ of 'be First Degree . Bro . Cuer , I . P . M ., proposed , and u ' \ 1 ' ** ' Simons , P-M .. Treas ., seconded , " That a Past Master ' s jewel and collar should he presented to the VV . M .. '' which was unanimously approved by the lodge .

ihe VV . M . heartily thanked the brethren for their kind appreciation of his services and the lod ge was closed . . M'er the banquet in the Prince's Salon , the W . M . gave the usual loyal toastslhe Oueen and the Craft ; " "The M . W . G . M .. the Prince of Wales ; " * 'The Pro Jj-M ., the Earl Amherst ; the Dep . G . M ., the lEatl of Warwick ; and the rest of the - - rand Officers , Present and Past . " Bro . E . M . Money replied on their behalf . He said that all the Grand Officers were actuated bthe same ardent desire to promote the interests of the Craft .

y Bro . Symons , in proposing " The Health of the VV . M ., " feelingly alluded to his many virtues , his great kindness to cne and all of the brethten , and remarked that he " " d raised the dignity and character of the Strong Man Lodge in an exemplary manner . Ihe W . M ., in reply , stated , that he heartily thanked the worthy Treasurer for his "ind remarks , and assured the brethren that he was fully repaid for all his efforts by the Kind sympath y and support he had received from them . The W . M . iclated some nterestipg personal experiences showinc how carefully and iudiciously the cases brought

uore the Board of Benevolence were investigated , and how conscientiou : ly the Board WMIF' ^ " 5 incun - . - duties . In spite pf the happy year of office he had passed , he lul ^ e pleasedt 0 J ° - n tri <* n ° ble band of Past Masters , to whom whilst presiding over the i , T , , }* ftn ver LLV grateful for the support they had so readily accorded him . , * he Initiates " was given by the W . M ., who said that during his year he had had Sm candidates ; he felt sure that the present initiates would b : an honour to the lodge . 'He initiates shortly replied , and to the point . Sh , y "I ** 651 of lhe W . M . the least of " lhe Visitors " was given by Bro . Philip ^ . arp , 1 receptor of the Lodge of Instruction , hon . member . He said that for nearly

Craft Masonry.

20 years he had replied on behalf of the visitors , but had now the proud privilege 0 giving that toast himself . On behalf of the brethren he accorded them a hearty we \' come , assuring them that generous hospitality was a distinguishing feature of the Strjng Man Lodge . Bro . Holmes and other visitors responded . Then came " The Officers of the Lodge , " and the Tyler's toast brought a pleasant evening to a close .

Peace and Harmony Lodge , No . 60 . A meeting of this Iodge was held at Freemasons' Hall , Great Oueen-street , W . C , on the 24 th ult . Among those present were Bros . Debenham , P . M ., P . G . S ., W . M . ; W . H . Kempster , P . M ., P . G . S ., as S . W . ; C . Robinson , P . M ., P . P . G . R ., Grand Steward , J . VV . ; Chancellor . P . M ., P . G . S ., Treas . ; E . Rogers , P . M .. P . P . G . D ., P . G . S ., Sec . ; F . Slade , J . D . ; W . Thomas , P . M ., I . G . ; Major T . C . Walls , P . M ., P . G . S ., P . G . Std . Br ., D . of C ; W . Ford , Stwd . ; H . T . Lardner , P . P . G . D . C , P . G . S ., I . P . M . ; and H . Slade , P . M ., P . G . S . Bro . A . B . Brown , P . M . 1503 , was a

visitor . The minutes of the last meeting having been read and confirmed , the ballot was taken on behalf of Bros . A . B . Brown , P . M ., and L . M . Binnie as joining members , and it proved to be unanimous . The sum of 10 guineas was voted to the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , per the W . M ., who represents the lodge as a Steward at the ensuing Festival . Bro . C . Robin on , J . W ., G . Steward , also represents the lodge for the same Institution , and the sum of five guineas has been voted to his list . Bro . F . Slade , G . Stwd . nominate , was elected to represent the lodge at the Royal Masonic Benevolent

Institution in 1900 . It was unanimously resolved that the summer dinner be held at the Mitre Hotel , Hampton Court , on the fourth Friday in June next . The W . M . then announced that it was his intention to provide a steam launch io : an up-river excursion on the day , and that luncheon would bs served on board . One of the bye-laws having been added to , and communications from absent brethren read , the lodge was closed . A banquet followed . Upon the removal of the cloth , the customary toasts received full justice . Bro . C . Robinson , G . S ., responded on behalf of "The Grand Officers . " "The Health of the W . M . " was proposed in flattering terms by the I . P . M .

TheW . M . having replied , gave "The Joining Members , " coupled with the name of Bro . A . Burnett Brown . The W . M . said that they were always pleased to receive with open arms new members when well recommended . Number 60 was a lodge of antiquity and renown , and possessed also valuable privileges . He hoped that in due time the brethren admitted that evening would participate in those privileges . Bro . Brown , in reply , expressed his acknowledgments to his proposer and seconder for havinp given him the opportunity of joining so good and old a lodge . He had long desired to become associated with one of the iS . " red apron " lodges . He trusted in

due time to pass through the offices leading to the chair . "The Health of the Past Masters" was coupled with the names of Bros . Lardner and Slade , who duly responded . "The Treasurer and Secretary" followed . Bros . Chancellor and Rogers having briefly acknowledged the compliment paid them , the toast of " The Officers " was given , and to this pledge Bros . F . Slade and VV . 1 hoinas replied . The proceedings then terminated .

Honour and Generosity Lodge , No . 165 . A meeting of this ancient and well-known lodge was held on the 2 Sth ult ., at the Inns of Court Hotel , W . C , at which a large number of brethren were present , amongst whom were Bros . A . P . Crabb . W . M . ; F . E . Rosher , I . P . M . ; F . Howard Rosher , S . W . ; J . Woodhouse , J . W . ; Henry Times , P . M . and Sec ; Godfrey Sykes , S . D . ; W . de B . Herbert , J . D . ; H . W . Clarkson , Org . ; W . M . Thompson , I . G . j G . E . Wainwright , P . M . ; I . R . Drake , P . M . ; Frank Bainra . lav . P . M .:

F . S . Gaylor , Harry Uearman , C J . Andrews , W . H . Burt , J . W . Ellis , and W . C . Hulbert . Amongst the distinguished visitors were Bros . Henry Neville , A . G . D . C . ; W . L . Florence , G . Supt . of Works ; J . B . Phillips , T . VV . Torckler , 2234 ; W . H . Anns , 1146 ; J . F . Beck , 1 S 53 ; M . P . Robinson , 15 ; A . R . Upjohn , 20331 J . White , jun ., I . P . M . 17 G ; J . A . Hamilton , 1319 ; H . Wharton Wells , W . M . ij 4 C ; Templer Saxe , 2190 ; Reg . Groome , 1929 ; and F . H . Cheesewright , P . M . 907 . A large amount of Masonic business was transacted including the First and Second

Ceremonies , which were worked by the W . M . in strict accordance with Emulation working and , after the election of the officers for the ensuing year , it was announced that Bro . F . Howard Rosher , S . W ., would represent the lodge as Steward at the forthcoming Festival of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls , and a sum of 10 guineas was voted from the funds of the lodge to be placed on his list . Other business having been transacted the brethren adjourned to a well served banquet . The usual loyal toasts were given by the VV . M . and duly honoured .

Bro . Henry limes , in proposing the toast of " The Grand Officers , Present and Past , " said that this was a toast that required no eloquence from him , as it was wellknown to all present the good work that was done by the Grand Officers . Unfortunately , Bros . Eve , P . G . T ., and Belton , P . D . G . D . C , both shining lights in Freemasonry , and P . Ms , of the lodge , were unable to be present , but they were fortunate in having among their guests two present Grand Officers , Bro . Henry Neville , A . G . D . C , whose fame had spread throughout the land , n' > t only as an ornament to the

profession which he adorned , but as a worker of the Masonic ritual , who had been travelling since the early morning from Ireland on purpose to be present with them that evening , and Bro . W L . Florence , G . Supt . of Wks . Bro . Henry Neville , A . G . D . C , in responding , said that it was a great pleasure to be present and a guest in the lodge where the work was so well done and where honour and generosity predominated , and concluded his speech with an intimation that if it were desired he would give a recitation , which was received with prolonged applause by all present . '

Bro . F . E . Rosher , I . P . M ., gave the toast of " The Worshipful Master . " His work in the lodge could not but be fully appreciated by the brethren , and although his years were not many , he had proved himself thoroughly conversant with the work of the lodge , and had fulfilled the arduous duties which had devolved upon him in a masterful manner .

TheW . M ., Bro . A . P . Crabb , briefly responded , and thanked the brethren for their support during the past year . His duties had fallen lightly upon him from the fact that , although there had been a large amount of work to do , he had been supported so loyally by the I . P . M ., who had always been close at hand to lender any assistance should it be required . Before resuming his seat the W . M , gave the toast of " The Past Masters , " to which Bro . Drake , P . M ., responded .

The toast ol "The Initiate" was entrusted by the W . M . to Bro . G . E . Wainwright , P . M ., who said that as a rule it was the custom to deliver to the initiate a long lecture on Ihe importance and dignity of the Order into which he had been admitted ; but he proposed to break away from that rule on that occasion , more especially as an excellent musical programme was before them , and the W . M . had set the excellent example of curtailing all the speeches as much as possible , and he would , therefore , simply welcome him into the Order of ancient Freemasonry .

Iiro . W . H . Burt , the initiate , in responding , said that he felt he had been admitted into a society of men who were brothers indeed ; that he had been deeply impressed by what hehad heard that evening , and that he tiuited he would in dus time nuke a good Mason . He was grateful for the honour that had been done him by being admitted a member of the Institution , and having been elected a member of such a distinguished Iodge as Honour and Generosity . "The Visitors" was proposed by Bro . W . M . Thompson . B . o . VV , L . Florence , G . S . of W ., responded , and complimented the brethren on the excellent working he had witnessed .

Bro . F . Howard Bcsher , S . W ., replied on behalf of "The Officers , " and the Tyler ' s toast brought a most successful evening to a close . Duiing the evening Bro . Henry Neville recited , with his well-known dramatic force , " Roger and I , " and for an encore delighted his audience with " If we only knew . " Bros , i ' empler Saxe , Reg . Groom , and Fred Cheesewright sang , and in each case an additional song was demanded and generously given by these artistes . The instrumental part of the programme was supplied by Bros . James A . Hamilton ( flute ) and Wharton Wells ( piano ) .