The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

Bro . HENRY ROXVE ' S resignation of the Collectorship in consequence of pressure of business having been accepted , Bros . Joseph Partridge , George Henekey , Joseph C . Bell , Henry Rowe , avxd Z . Watkins were appointed provisional Trustees , and it xvas resolved lhat the moneys subscribed should be collected and invested in their names . The recommendation to hold a Festival during the summer xx'as unanimously adopted and the names of 21 brethren as Stewards were banded in . It . xvas also ordered that a letter of

thanks be addressed through Dr . Crucefix to a lady xvho had collected the sum of £ S in pence on the Spencerian method ; that the Committee should open a correspondence xvith Mr . James Smith xvith a view to the acceptance of his kind offer to place a ni g ht in each of the toxvns of his theatrical circuit at the disposal ofthe Committee on certain liberal conditions ; and that the Collector should be called upon to give security to the extent of ^ 200 .

The Board of Stexvards lost no time in busying themselves about the necessary arrangements . They held their first meeting on the 15 th June > xvhen Bros . J . C . Bell , J . Bigg , G . Henekey , and H . Roxvc xverc chosen President , Vice-President , Treasurer , and Secretary respectively . The Stexvard ' s fee xvas fixed at £ 2 , and it xvas arranged the dinner should take place at

Bro . Lovegrove ' s , the West India Arms Tavern , Blackxvall , the charge for tickets be ' ing fifteen shillings each " including dessert , port , sherry , and bucellas ad libitum , as xx * cll as waiters and broken class . " At thc same time the opportunity xxas taken of forxvarding thc folloxving letter , duly signed by the officers of thc Board , to the Duke of Sussex , fraternally congratulating his Royal Highness that his sig ht had been restored : —

To His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex , M . W . Grand Master of Masons . May it please your Royal highness , We rejoice that the Great Architect has restored your Royal Highness to the blessings of "light . " Sympathy for sufferings patiently borne may be permitted to yield joy ; and in presuming to address our venerated Grand Master xve acknoxvledge that our respect for his Masonic character has a poiverful rival in our affectionate attachment to his person .

We anticipate in your restoration a speedy return to the bosom of the Grand Lodge ; and for ourselves xve cannot but express our lively gratification , that , associated as we are at this auspicious moment , as a Board of Stewards to celebrate the first attempt to float upon the stream of Benevolence another "Ark of the Covenant" xvherein the " Aged Mason " may find a refuge in his distress , our Stexvardship is irradiated by the happy coincidence of your Royal Highness ' s restoration .

May your valuable life be prolonged in the enjoyment ot tuture health and happiness . The Festival was held on the 22 nd Jul )' , and passed off most satisfactorily . App lications to take the chair had been successively addressed to Bros . Sir Felix Booth , Bart . ; Sir John Rae Reid , Bart ., M . P . ; Pattison , M . P . ; Lyall , a director of the H . E . I . C . ; and Lord Albert Conyngham ; but while all of these expressed their best xvishes for the success of the

Asylum , and thc last-named subscribed ^ 10 toxvards funds , prior engagements in each case intervened , and Dr . Crucefix , Provisional Treasurer , was called upon to preside . The guests numbered 116 , of whom five were non-Masons , xvhile the brethren did not appear in Masonic clothing . "The result was an aggregate of subscriptions , xvhich reached very close upon £ 700 , together xvith a small balance left o \ -er from the Stewards' Fund , after paying

all the expenses . There can be no question as to this having been , from a monetary point of viexv , a very conspicuous success . Large sums , such as xve have become accustomed to of late years , xvere not then the order of the day , even in connection xvith the established institutions . It is thc more remarkable , therefore , that such an amount should have been collected on behalf of a proposed charity , which had not found much favour xvith sundry among the

leading dignitaries of the Craft , and to the establishment of xvhich there are good reasons for believing that the Grand Master xvas personally and somexvhat strongly opposed . Hoxvever , the events of the Festival were formally submitted to a meeting of the subscribers on the 29 th August , xvhen votes of thanks xvere unanimously passed to Dr . Crucefix , the Chairman , and all the other brethren xvho had contributed to bring about a result so satisfactory ,

as xvell as to the subscribers themselves for their generous support , the other business transacted comprising the increase of the sub-committee from sex * en to fifteen members , the additional being Bros . George Price , W . A . Larby , Joseph Partridge , John Bigg , Robert T . Hall , F . Buckingham , L . Chandler , and J . Whisson . It was also resolx * ed that " the patronage or presidency of

the Institution be respectfully tendered to His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex , the M . W . Grand Master of Freemasons , " and that the sub-committee take thc necessary steps to lay the said resolution before His Royal Hi « hncss . It xvas also agreed that pending the adoption of permanent regulations under the advice and direction of His Royal Highness the provisional management of the Charity should be continued .

At the meeting of the sub-committee on the nth November , after it had been resolved to meet on the second Wednesday of every month , several very encouraging communications xvcre read , notably one from Bro . Eales Smith , of the Unanimity and Sincerity Lodge , Taunton , to the effect that

the members of that lodge were using their best endeavours to promote the interests of thc Asylum , and another from Bro . Dr . Oliver inclosing an order for £ S 15 s . as the contribution of himself and his friends . Tho following letter from Bro . Lord Henry Spencer Churchill , D . G . M ., in reply to that of the Board of Stewards , alreadv quoted , xvas read and ordered to be entered

on the minutes r Kensington Palace , ioth September , 1836 . W . Brother , —Having laid before the M . W . Grand Master , the Duke of Sussex , the address signed by yourself and some other brethren on behalf of the Stexvards for the anniversary meeting of the suggested Asylum for Aged Masons , I am commanded by "lis Rnval Hiirhncss to convey to you his thanks for the expression of congratulation and

kind feeling toxvards his person , and xvhich his Royal Highness is happy to acknoxvledge as coming from the individual brethren ; but the proposed institution not having received the sanction of the Grand Lodge , you xvill sec the impossibility of the Grand Master admitting thc address in any other than its individual character . I remain , fire , ( Signed ) H . J SPEN-CEK CHURCHILL , D . G . M .

On the 14 U 1 December nn honorarium of £ 10 10 s . xvas voted to Bro . Begbie for his efficient services as collector , while on the nth January , 1837 , the nexv year opened most auspiciously , the Treasurer announcing the receipt

The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution.

of a letter from Bro . Eales Smith to the effect that the Lodge of Unanimity and Sincerity , Taunton , had passed unanimously a resolution "That the said lodge should contribute the sum of fifty pounds in aid of the funds for thc Alasonic Asylum ; and also an annual subscription of txx-o g'uineas , the latter to commence from thc time of laying the foundation-stone , " and at the same

time offering his services as collector for the xvestern division of thc country . It is needless to say that a vote of thanks was unanimously passed to Bro . Smith for his services on behalf of the Asylum . At the next monthly meeting of the sub-committee news xvas received to the effect that the vote of thc

above sum had been confirmed by the lodge , and that the amount xvould be remitted at an early date . It xvas also announced that Bro . J . Partridge , one of the trustees of the Asylum , had handed over the sum of £ g ., being the first dividend paid in respect of the funded property of the Asylum . { To be continued ) .

The Grand Orient Of France.

THE GRAND ORIENT OF FRANCE .

It has been thought xvell lo give to our readers an account of this important body , noxv so near our shores , and in xvhich the good feelings of English Freemasons are interested , despite recent untoxvard proceedings and regrettable changes . The position of the French Grand Orient is a very

serious one . Without intercommunication with two-thirds of contemporary Freemasonry , it seems determined , despite all the reticence that prudence might suggest and comity dictate , to adhere to those new ideas and dangerous dogmata which have nearly brought about for it such an entire uprooting of its old " entente cordiale " with England , America , & c .

We think it right to say this , as xve note in Bro . Cousin ' s report for 1882-S 3 that he holds out the hope of renewing " alliances " and kindly connections , which have been broken up through a " misunderstanding , " " mal entendu , " as he says . Alas ! xve fear he deceives himself and the Grand Orient greatl y as regards English and American viexvs on the subject . Indeed , every new step taken by the authorities of the Grand Orient seems to render

any prospect of reconciliation and approximation harder to arrange and more impossible to effect . A short time ago , with a "revolution " xvhich startled the Masonic world , they gave up old landmarks and cosmopolitan princi ples for " fads " and theories of a purely unbelieving school , and mixed up in a most wonderful manner , almost inexplicably so , their abnegation of

any religious belief xvith an avowal of social-political terminology alarming to the true Freemason , xvho utterly despises the " shibboleths " of party and the cries of passing factions . But this new constitution is again to be altered , and in September next the " Council of the Order" is to present a fresh revision . But to our facts .

In 1882 the French Grand Orient had 323 " ateliers , or " workshops , " composed of 276 lodges , 25 chapters , 12 councils , 1 consistory , and the Grand College of Rites , under its jurisdiction . In September , 1883 , the Grand Orient numbered 329 " ateliers , " 27 lodges had been constituted ( though we do not profess to square the figures ) , 3 lodges and 1 chapter revived , 3 lodges , 2 chapters , and 1 conseil suspended , 8 members were suspended , and 393 struck off the books .

If any one xvas asked " outside the situation" xvhat xvas the distinguishing feature of French Freemasonry just noxv , he might fairl y answer that elaborate system of criminal jurisprudence so systematically carried out , xvhich betrays alike the xveakness of the position and points a moral as to the entire perversion of the Masonic idea xvhich now dominates French

Freemasonry . For " Charity , " as will be later seen , the Grand Orient does pratically nothing , and when its annual budget is analyzed it will be further seen hoxv unsatisfactory is its state in every respect , financial and otherxvise . To read the financial report to the " Convent" you xvould expect a great financial success , a " large balance at their bankers . " But no , the " cash balance " in

favour of the Grand Orient at the end of 12 months is 30 francs 4 o centimes , not one pound 10 shillings ; and if the anticipations of the " Budget" for 1 S 84 " be realized , in February , 1884 , it will be the fortunate possessor of a balance of 79 francs 55 centimes , or not three pounds 10 shillings . Its xvhole income amounts to 123 , 355 francs 45 centimes , or not £ 5000 in round numbers , and its expenses to 127 , 257 francs 80 centimes . The main receipts are from the capitation payments of 75 , 534

francs , 7000 francs from publications , 17 , 800 francs for warrants , certificates , & c , interest of loans 8000 francs , and various other payments , making up the amount as before specified . The expenditure is made up of payments for rent and towards extinction of debts , 28 , 000 francs ; payment of members ' of the Annual Assembly , 21 , 000 francs ; management , 19 , 775 francs ; annual pensions , 8500 francs ; printing warrants , & c , 11 , 000 francs ; gratuitous lectures , 7000 francs ; and for the " Maison de Secours , " 11 , 540 francs , or £ 422 in round numbers .

The main points in this budget " then are 21 , 020 francs for the payment of members of the " Convent , " 11 , 540 francs for charity , and 7000 francs for gratuitous instruction . Must not the independent observer ask the question , " Est ce que le jeu vaut la chandelle ? " We have said before we believe that suggestions are made of friendly arrangement xvith . severed jurisdictions . But we give the concluding

paragraph of the Grand Orator ' s speech in closing the Conx'ent , and we ask any reasonable Freemason hoxx * , xvith the avowal of such absurd and destructive principles , any fair hope can be entertained at present of Anglo-Saxon and French Freemasons shaking hands , or smoking the " calumet of peace ? " "Ce jour-la , mes freres , notre ccuvre aura veritablement accompli ses destinees . Dansces edifices elevfes de toules parts , depuis des siecles , aux superstitions

religieusesetauxsuprematies sacerdotales , nous serons peut-ctre appeles , a notre tour , a precher nos doctrines et , au lieu des psalmodies clericales qui y resonnent encore , ce seront les maillets , les batteries et les acclamations de notre Ordre qui en feront retentir les larges voutesetles vastespiliers . " " That day , my brethren , our xvork will have truly accomplished its destiny . In those

edifices raised in all parts centuries ago , for religious superstitions and sacerdotaisupremacy . xveshall perhaps be called in our turn to preach our doctrines , and in the place of clerical psalmodies xvhich still resound there , it xvill be the malletts , the " batteries and the acclamations of our order , xvhich xvill re-echo from the lofty arches and the vast pillars . "

Let us as brethren of Freemasonry try to realise the good sense of such a " tag " of absurdity . It xvould be just as reasonable to say let us hope to hold our lodge meetings and social gatherings in St . Paul's Cathedral . The outcome is really humiliating to men of common sense , and faithful members of our great Fraternity .