Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Approaching Festival Of The Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.
THE APPROACHING FESTIVAL OF THE ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .
Now that the Anniversary Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution has been celebrated , the duty devolves upon us of calling attention to the position and requirements of our senior Charity—the Royal
Masonic Institution for . Girls—which on Wednesday , the Sth May , will celebrate its 107 th Festival , under tin auspices of Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl of MOUNT EDGCUMBE , Deputy G . Master of England and Prov . G . Master of Cornwall . It will be in the recollection of our readers that one of
the earliest official acts of his lordship , after his appointment to the post of Deputy G . Master of England , was his presidency at the Jubilee Festival of the Old People , when the donations and subscriptions reached the splendid total of , £ 60 , 000 . The success on that occasion augurs well for the prospects of the approaching celebration . We do not for a [ single
moment anticipate that a sum approximating even distantly to that magnificent return ' will be obtained on the occasion we are preparing for ; but an exceptionally bi g figure at an extraordinary Festival justifies the hope that the return at an ordinary Festival , under the auspices of the same Chairman , may prove proportionately satisfactory . At all
events , there has been ample time since Lord MOUNT EDGCUMBE ' acceptance of the chairmanship in which to make the necessary preparations , and if these are not as advanced as we might have hoped to find them , we may be sure it is for no lack of energy on the part of the Executive authorities of the Institution . Up to the present time the number of brethren who have enrolled themselves on the Board of Stewards is under
200 , or less by nearly 100 than at the corresponding period of last year . This , however , may in some measure be accounted for . Last year the Chairman was Bro . the Earl of LATHOM , Pro Grand Master , who is also Grand Master of what is , numerically , the strongest Province in England , namely , West Lancashire , and the number of Stewards from that Province who supported
his lordship was 74 . On this occasion , Cornwall is the "Chairman ' s Province , " and , though its zealous co-operation with its respected chief may be looked upon with ceitainty , it is neither strong enojgh nor rich enough to raise so large a proportion of the general total of contributions as Lord LATIIOM ' Province . It will do its duty thoroughly
and handsomely , as it did in 1892 at the Benevolent Jubilee , but more than this must not be expected of its moderate array of 30 lodges , - neither shall we find it very numerously represented , its almost invariable custom at our Festivals having been to place the representation of the Province as a whole in the hands of one or two brethren of greit experience in
the work of canvassing . This will , no doubt , account for the comparative smallness of the Board of Stewards at the present date , and may even justify us in assuming that if the " Chairman ' s Province" sends up a smaller contingent of Stewards than we are accustomed lo , London and the other Provinces may turn out to be somewhat stronger . But , after all , the
point upon which it is our duty to ins ' st is not so much whether one section of the Craft in England is likely to be more or less numerously represented than at other Festivals , but whether the Board of Stewards , when taken as a * ho ! e , will be strong enough to compile such a Return as is necessary to maintain the School in its present state of efficiency . In respect
of this point , we must confess we are somewhat dubious just ' the moment , and we must hope that in the course of the next few weeks Bro . HEDGES will succeed in obtaining a substantial " ¦ crease in the number of the Steward ? , so that when the day for this important fixture is at hand , we may feel little or no misgiving as to thi result of the
year s canvass being at least an average success . The annual income of the Girls' School , including the very modest grants it receives from Grand Lodge | Wd Grand Chapter , amounts to about , £ 2000 , while the annual expenditure is not far short of , £ 13 , 000 . There is , therefore , a sum of £ 11 , 000 to be raised 'n order thit the Institution may acquit itself of the obligations it has
contracted without running into debt or trenching upon its invested capital . Whether this deficit will be made good out of the Returns at the Anniversary in May next is the question which immediately concerns us all ; for there is no doubt whatever as to the School being in all respects worthy of su PPort , The number of children it is engaged in maintaining , clothing ,
an < i educating at this moment is 263 , and how well it trains hem was shown only a short while since when we announced in these columns that the whole of the 23 candidates who were entered for the Cambridge Middle Class Examinations in December * st passed the required ordeal , the number of those to whom places in the nonours Classes or special distinctions in one or more subjects were
The Approaching Festival Of The Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.
awarded , beingaboutonehalf . As regards the Co liege of Preceptors' Kxamination , the number of children who entered was 54 and of these all but six had the satis'action of being returned among the successful . Thus the excellence of the training which the Girls receive in this Institution is clearly demonstrated by the most convincing of all tests—that of a public examination conducted by a Board cf independent Examiners , and we trust this fact will
have full weight with the brethren generally , and incline ihe more active amongst them to offer their service ) as Stewards , and the more pecunious to contribute generously of their means towards the support of this most popular and ably-conducted Institution . It scored a great success last year , and we sincerely trust the monetary advantage resulting therefrom will not be seriously lessened by the result of the approaching Festival .
New Zealand Again.
NEW ZEALAND AGAIN .
We have always endeavoured to avoid giving offence to anybody , and we flatter ourselves that , in this respect , we have had a fair measure of success . But we have never gone to the opposite extreme , and striven , after the manner
of the man in the fable , to please everybody ; yet have we succeeded in pleasing many , if not the great majority of our constituents . 11 is , therefore , the more surprising that , after having conscientiously supported the loyal lodges in New Zealand in their efforts lo remain under the banners of the Grand
Lodges which created them , we should be informed by a brother holding a very important office in one of the District Grand Lodges under the English Constitution in that colony , that it is the opinion of the District Grand Master that the Freemason has " the appearance " of . " being inspired by some outside influence to the detriment , of an immense body who retain their
affection towards their mother lodges in general , and the Grand Lodges of the three Constitutions in particular . " This expression of opinion is based on an article which appeared in our issue of the Sth December , in reference to the rejection by United Grand Lodge of a resolution by Bro . RICHARD EVE , Past Grand Treasurer , relating to the Cambrian Lodge , No . 656 ,
Sydney , New South Wales ( E . G . ) . Our remarks in the article in question were to the effect that " though Bro . EVE exhibited all his wonted ability , and was , if possible , rather more plausible than usual , there was no resisting the clear , and concise , and telling arguments of the Grand Registrar , admirably supported as they were by Bro . WILKINSON , Deputy Grand Registrar ,
and Bro . the Earl of J ERSEY , who , as a Past Grand Master of New South Wales , must of necessity speak with the weightiest authority . Grand Lodge at once grasped the bearings of the whole question , and—to use a form of expression which is constantly to be met wilh in old minute booksthe motion passed in the negative . " Those of our readers who may desire
to follow the ins and outs of the discussion , are referred to the ample report of the proceedings in Grand Lodge which appeared in another part of the same issue . But we are puzzled to know what this can possibly have to do with the loyal lodges in New Zealand , or in what way it can be held to justify the opinion that this journal has been " inspired by some
outside influence to the detriment" of the said loyal lodges . There are circumstances in connection with this Cambrian Lodge , of Sydney , N . S . W ., which place it on quite another footing than those lodges in New Zealand which remain in allegiance to their parent Grand Lodges in the United Kingdom . It is not worth while re-opening the discussion on those
circumstances , but if those who complain of our being apparently " inspired by some outside influence " to their detriment will take the trouble to study carefully the report of the Colonial Board , which the Grand Secretary read at the Communication of Grand Lodge on the 5 th December last , they will discover reasons enough to justify Grand Lodge in rejecting Bro . EVE ' S
motion . As regards the case of New Zealand , we have always held , and still hold , to the opinion that the conduct of the lodges and brethren which established the so-called Grand Lodge of New Zealand was wholly unjustifiable . We consider they , and they only , are responsible for the lamentable state of disunion now and for some years past
existing in the Craft in lhat colony . We are of opinion that the District Grand Masters of that colony and the Grand Lodge of England are completely justified in the steps they have taken to protect those lodges which remain loyal to the English Constitution ; nor do we consider the fact of the so-called Grand Lodge of New Zealand now having nearly too lodges on its
roll changes or , in the slightest degree , modifies the views we have uniformly expressed and still retain in behalf of the English and other lodges which remain in their old allegiance . We think the act of the seceding English
lodges in retaining their warrants , in contravention of the laws of the Grand Lodge of England , is an offence of which we have a right to expect they will purge themselves before any proposal for the future of New Zealand Freemasonry can be entertained by our Grand Lodge ; and under these
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Approaching Festival Of The Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.
THE APPROACHING FESTIVAL OF THE ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .
Now that the Anniversary Festival of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution has been celebrated , the duty devolves upon us of calling attention to the position and requirements of our senior Charity—the Royal
Masonic Institution for . Girls—which on Wednesday , the Sth May , will celebrate its 107 th Festival , under tin auspices of Bro . the Right Hon . the Earl of MOUNT EDGCUMBE , Deputy G . Master of England and Prov . G . Master of Cornwall . It will be in the recollection of our readers that one of
the earliest official acts of his lordship , after his appointment to the post of Deputy G . Master of England , was his presidency at the Jubilee Festival of the Old People , when the donations and subscriptions reached the splendid total of , £ 60 , 000 . The success on that occasion augurs well for the prospects of the approaching celebration . We do not for a [ single
moment anticipate that a sum approximating even distantly to that magnificent return ' will be obtained on the occasion we are preparing for ; but an exceptionally bi g figure at an extraordinary Festival justifies the hope that the return at an ordinary Festival , under the auspices of the same Chairman , may prove proportionately satisfactory . At all
events , there has been ample time since Lord MOUNT EDGCUMBE ' acceptance of the chairmanship in which to make the necessary preparations , and if these are not as advanced as we might have hoped to find them , we may be sure it is for no lack of energy on the part of the Executive authorities of the Institution . Up to the present time the number of brethren who have enrolled themselves on the Board of Stewards is under
200 , or less by nearly 100 than at the corresponding period of last year . This , however , may in some measure be accounted for . Last year the Chairman was Bro . the Earl of LATHOM , Pro Grand Master , who is also Grand Master of what is , numerically , the strongest Province in England , namely , West Lancashire , and the number of Stewards from that Province who supported
his lordship was 74 . On this occasion , Cornwall is the "Chairman ' s Province , " and , though its zealous co-operation with its respected chief may be looked upon with ceitainty , it is neither strong enojgh nor rich enough to raise so large a proportion of the general total of contributions as Lord LATIIOM ' Province . It will do its duty thoroughly
and handsomely , as it did in 1892 at the Benevolent Jubilee , but more than this must not be expected of its moderate array of 30 lodges , - neither shall we find it very numerously represented , its almost invariable custom at our Festivals having been to place the representation of the Province as a whole in the hands of one or two brethren of greit experience in
the work of canvassing . This will , no doubt , account for the comparative smallness of the Board of Stewards at the present date , and may even justify us in assuming that if the " Chairman ' s Province" sends up a smaller contingent of Stewards than we are accustomed lo , London and the other Provinces may turn out to be somewhat stronger . But , after all , the
point upon which it is our duty to ins ' st is not so much whether one section of the Craft in England is likely to be more or less numerously represented than at other Festivals , but whether the Board of Stewards , when taken as a * ho ! e , will be strong enough to compile such a Return as is necessary to maintain the School in its present state of efficiency . In respect
of this point , we must confess we are somewhat dubious just ' the moment , and we must hope that in the course of the next few weeks Bro . HEDGES will succeed in obtaining a substantial " ¦ crease in the number of the Steward ? , so that when the day for this important fixture is at hand , we may feel little or no misgiving as to thi result of the
year s canvass being at least an average success . The annual income of the Girls' School , including the very modest grants it receives from Grand Lodge | Wd Grand Chapter , amounts to about , £ 2000 , while the annual expenditure is not far short of , £ 13 , 000 . There is , therefore , a sum of £ 11 , 000 to be raised 'n order thit the Institution may acquit itself of the obligations it has
contracted without running into debt or trenching upon its invested capital . Whether this deficit will be made good out of the Returns at the Anniversary in May next is the question which immediately concerns us all ; for there is no doubt whatever as to the School being in all respects worthy of su PPort , The number of children it is engaged in maintaining , clothing ,
an < i educating at this moment is 263 , and how well it trains hem was shown only a short while since when we announced in these columns that the whole of the 23 candidates who were entered for the Cambridge Middle Class Examinations in December * st passed the required ordeal , the number of those to whom places in the nonours Classes or special distinctions in one or more subjects were
The Approaching Festival Of The Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.
awarded , beingaboutonehalf . As regards the Co liege of Preceptors' Kxamination , the number of children who entered was 54 and of these all but six had the satis'action of being returned among the successful . Thus the excellence of the training which the Girls receive in this Institution is clearly demonstrated by the most convincing of all tests—that of a public examination conducted by a Board cf independent Examiners , and we trust this fact will
have full weight with the brethren generally , and incline ihe more active amongst them to offer their service ) as Stewards , and the more pecunious to contribute generously of their means towards the support of this most popular and ably-conducted Institution . It scored a great success last year , and we sincerely trust the monetary advantage resulting therefrom will not be seriously lessened by the result of the approaching Festival .
New Zealand Again.
NEW ZEALAND AGAIN .
We have always endeavoured to avoid giving offence to anybody , and we flatter ourselves that , in this respect , we have had a fair measure of success . But we have never gone to the opposite extreme , and striven , after the manner
of the man in the fable , to please everybody ; yet have we succeeded in pleasing many , if not the great majority of our constituents . 11 is , therefore , the more surprising that , after having conscientiously supported the loyal lodges in New Zealand in their efforts lo remain under the banners of the Grand
Lodges which created them , we should be informed by a brother holding a very important office in one of the District Grand Lodges under the English Constitution in that colony , that it is the opinion of the District Grand Master that the Freemason has " the appearance " of . " being inspired by some outside influence to the detriment , of an immense body who retain their
affection towards their mother lodges in general , and the Grand Lodges of the three Constitutions in particular . " This expression of opinion is based on an article which appeared in our issue of the Sth December , in reference to the rejection by United Grand Lodge of a resolution by Bro . RICHARD EVE , Past Grand Treasurer , relating to the Cambrian Lodge , No . 656 ,
Sydney , New South Wales ( E . G . ) . Our remarks in the article in question were to the effect that " though Bro . EVE exhibited all his wonted ability , and was , if possible , rather more plausible than usual , there was no resisting the clear , and concise , and telling arguments of the Grand Registrar , admirably supported as they were by Bro . WILKINSON , Deputy Grand Registrar ,
and Bro . the Earl of J ERSEY , who , as a Past Grand Master of New South Wales , must of necessity speak with the weightiest authority . Grand Lodge at once grasped the bearings of the whole question , and—to use a form of expression which is constantly to be met wilh in old minute booksthe motion passed in the negative . " Those of our readers who may desire
to follow the ins and outs of the discussion , are referred to the ample report of the proceedings in Grand Lodge which appeared in another part of the same issue . But we are puzzled to know what this can possibly have to do with the loyal lodges in New Zealand , or in what way it can be held to justify the opinion that this journal has been " inspired by some
outside influence to the detriment" of the said loyal lodges . There are circumstances in connection with this Cambrian Lodge , of Sydney , N . S . W ., which place it on quite another footing than those lodges in New Zealand which remain in allegiance to their parent Grand Lodges in the United Kingdom . It is not worth while re-opening the discussion on those
circumstances , but if those who complain of our being apparently " inspired by some outside influence " to their detriment will take the trouble to study carefully the report of the Colonial Board , which the Grand Secretary read at the Communication of Grand Lodge on the 5 th December last , they will discover reasons enough to justify Grand Lodge in rejecting Bro . EVE ' S
motion . As regards the case of New Zealand , we have always held , and still hold , to the opinion that the conduct of the lodges and brethren which established the so-called Grand Lodge of New Zealand was wholly unjustifiable . We consider they , and they only , are responsible for the lamentable state of disunion now and for some years past
existing in the Craft in lhat colony . We are of opinion that the District Grand Masters of that colony and the Grand Lodge of England are completely justified in the steps they have taken to protect those lodges which remain loyal to the English Constitution ; nor do we consider the fact of the so-called Grand Lodge of New Zealand now having nearly too lodges on its
roll changes or , in the slightest degree , modifies the views we have uniformly expressed and still retain in behalf of the English and other lodges which remain in their old allegiance . We think the act of the seceding English
lodges in retaining their warrants , in contravention of the laws of the Grand Lodge of England , is an offence of which we have a right to expect they will purge themselves before any proposal for the future of New Zealand Freemasonry can be entertained by our Grand Lodge ; and under these