The Royal Cumberland Lodge, No. 41.

entitled to wear thc Freemasons' Hall medal granted in 17 S 0 , until the publication of Bro . Hughan ' s " Numismatical and Numerical Register of Lodges" last year ,. wherein it was mentioned that they possessed this privilege , from which source they obtained the correct representation of it , and , having lost the original medals , they were thus enabled to have new ones struck for them . On thc contrary , the W . M . of No . 41 wears the silvcr medal actually struck for

the celebration in 17 S 0 , and is in this respect distinguished from the others . It would be interesting to know how many of the thirteen lodges in London now extant and entitled to it still possess and value the old original . From what has been said , some idea may be formed of the difficulties which beset thc historians of our Craft , and it is therefore incumbent not only on Secretaries of lodges to keep clear and exact records of all the transactions , but also

on Masters to see to the due performance of the duty . No doubt the spread of education will render this more possible than it was a century ago , but it must be bornein mind that all men have not the habits ot" care and punctuality which are requisite to ensure exactitude , and , therefore , a certain amount of supervision should bc exercised . _ I can call to mind instances in which a Secretary has within a few hours

of a meeting entered the minutes of the previous lodge , and in some cases , having lost the rough draft , has relied on his memory . No such records can be trustworthy . _ The annual change of Secretary produces much inconvenience , and tends to liability to error for want of experience , the best remedy for which is the appointment of a skilled Past Master who will undertake the duty for a series of

years . - I trust that I have not wearied you by this recapitulation of much which you have so recently heard from Bro . Hughan , one more apt and experienced , though , in fact , a younger Mason than myself , and with the more general remarks which , as to some extent connected with the subject , I have embraced the opportunity to make . He agreed

with me as to the desirability of putting it into a more permanent as well as more detailed form , with a view to preservation among our archives , and I have had the benefit of his careful perusal of what I have laid before you , as a security against error , with the exception of one or two clauses recently added , his examination ( as he tells me ) resulting in finding me ( to quote his exact words ) " correct as usual . '

Masonic Charities Of West Lancashire.

MASONIC CHARITIES OF WEST LANCASHIRE .

On Sunday evening , the 28 th tilt ., a special service on behalf of the Masonic Charities of West Lancashire was heldin St . James ' s Church , Preston . There was a large congregation , and amongst those present were the following brethren : Bros . Councillors Galloway , J . Harding , R . C .

Robinson , W . Thompson , J . Clegg , and T . Nevett ; Dr . Christison , Capt . Whitehead , Messrs . H . W . Johnston , E . Barber , W . Wilson , H . Ormandy , T . Horsley , W . Brevvis , J . G . C . Dawson , R . Robinson , J . Sumner , R . Pritt , J . Scott , J . Hayhurst , F . G . Hunt , C . Hargreaves , J . de Pennington , J . J . Hankin , Hodgkinson , Bee , M'Ouale , T . Snape , . C . l ' ryer , W . H . Deighton , Monk , W . T .

Bilsbrough , W . Bailey , R . Jones , P . M ., R . Jones , A . Newhound , 'I ' . Roe , P . R . Roe , John Harrison , C . J . Yates , W . Catterall , J . Elton , W . W . Elton , Livesey , W . Huntington , E . Schofield , W . J . Seed , J . Cockshott , E . D . Hindle , T . Fletcher , G . Worthington , Kerfoot , Starkie , J . Croasdale , I .: McConncll , Foster , W . II . King ( Blackburn ) , W . Harrison , T . Eastham ( Warrington ) , and J . Whiteside .

The sermon vvas preached hy Bro . T . B . Spencer , W . M . Peace and Unity , and the following brethren assisted in the service : —Rev . J . P . Shepperd , Chaplain Royal Preston ; Rev . A . B . Beavan , I . W . Peace and Unity ; and Rev . J . D . Harrison ( Barton ) , Peace and Unity . The preacher took for his text Galatians vi ., 9 : " And let us not be weary in well doing ; for in due season vve shall

reap , if wc faint not . " He said they had met together that night for the purpose of helping by their contributions two great charitable institutions which had done much good in connection with the Order of Freemasons , a number of the brethren of which were present . Last year it vvas his privilege to hold a special service and plead for another great charitable society , namely , that of thc Oddfellows ,

and to ask for the alms of the congregation , whether belonging to that Order or not , to help as far as possible in supporting the fund for thc relief of the widows and orphans . He was sure they were right in gathering together in God ' s house as a body , and in asking His people for contributions on their behalf . They must remember how liberally their Order had given to various churches and

cathedrals , hirst he might mention the gift to St . Alban ' s Cathedral , in connection with which it was said that the first Lodge of Freemasons was founded in 2 S 7 A . D . Then there was Truro Cathedral , the foundation stone of which was laid by the Grand Master , the Prince of Wales . Then there were noble gifts to Chester Cathedral , and to the Stratford-on-Avon Church . Besides these he might state

that the foundation stone of Emmanuel Church , Preston , at which he ( the preacher ) formerly laboured , was laid by thc late Sir Thomas Fermor Hesketh , as Provincial Grand Master , with Masonic rites . But besides these their Order was always ready to help in any other charitable work , of which he might name the laying of the foundation stone of Charing Cross

Hospital , the Caledonian Asylum , and the Royal Albert Asylum , Lancaster . In addition to these , although unconnected with any charitable institution , he might mention thc laying of the foundation stone of the Town Hall last Guild with Masonic honours ; and if , during the coming Guild , the great event should be thc laying of the foundation stone of the Free Library and Museum which

were to he erected as a memorial of tlie late Air . Harris , he was sure it would be a source of pride and pleasure to all Masonic brethren if it were laid by the Prince of Wales , as Grand Master of England . Now that was not thc time nor place to enter into any defence of Freemasonry , nor vvas this required , for it spoke for itself by the

noble acts of chanty it had performed . Suffice it to say , that it vvas an Order founded on the principles of piety and virtue , lt was true that it was a secret society , and so vvas Oddfc-llowship to a certain extent , and the vows of fidelity were required in order to keep tlie privileges of Freemasons , which were great and valuable to worlhyYien , and , they trusted , to worthy men alone . As Freemasons , they were bound to be loyal to the Throne and Constitution of this land ; and , if such were not the case , it would

Masonic Charities Of West Lancashire.

be incredible that the Heir to the Thone , as well as other members of the Royal Family , such " as the Duke of Connaught and Prince Leopold , would take the great interest in , and hold the high offices of , the Order they did . The Princess of Wales also took a very deep interest in the body , for thc Earl of Lathom , the Provincial Grand Master of . West Lancashire , had announced at Chorley a short time ago that she had told him it vvas her sincere wish and desire

that her two sons might become Masons as soon as they were of age . But besides requiring that her members should take the Bible as theit guide through life , that they should practise prudence , temperance , and justice , there was an especial virtue which was inculcated , ancl that was the virtue which might justly be denominated the distinguishing feature of a Freemason ' s heart—Charity . Some one , however , might ask—Why should we be asked to

contribute to Masonic Charities intended for members of that Order and not for us who are non-Masons ? In reply , he would say that the same question might have been asked last year by those who did not belong to the Society of Oddfellows ; and it might be asked when any special collection was made on behalf of the Infirmary or Foreign Missions . What they were told by the Bible vvas that they should do all the good they could to all men .

He had not heard any one complain at contributing to the Infirmary on the ground that its benefits were not intended for him , but rather for the working classes ; nor had he known any one who refused to give something to that particular charity because he would not receive any benefit from it . But with reference to the collection that evening , he would put it on broader grounds . First of all , let them bear in mind what noble gifts the body of Freemasons had bestowed

upon the Cnurch of England , and they would certainly come to the conclusion that these entitled them to expect help from Church-people for their Charities . He would also have them remember the handsome amounts that had been given in aid of the objects that did not benefit Masons in particular , but the generality of people . He alluded to such gifts as £ 1000 for the Patriotic Fund in 1 S 55 ; £ 1000 for the Indian Famine Fund in lS . sS ; £ 1000 for the

Lancashire Famine Fund in 1 S 60 , which deep distress many of them probably remembered ; and £ 4000 as a thankoffering for the safe return of the Prince of Wales from India in 1 S 77 , which vvas spent in building two lifeboats to be placed at dangerous spots . Surely when they bore these things in mind they would think that their Order had claim for some consideration at the hands of a congregation consisting of many who did not belong to it .

He pleaded that night for the West Lancashire Masonic Education Fundand the Hamer Fundfor Distressed Masons , the former of which assisted the orphans of Freemasons , and the other those members of the Order who , through unforeseen ( circumstances over which they had no control , had been plunged into deep distress . Now , when they remembered that in West Lancashire there were many brethren , some of whom might be their friends , he

was sure that they would be glad to assist the widows and orphans of the bread winner who had been removed by the hand of death . The societies for which he asked their alms would afford that relief , and thus they , though non-Masons , would really be helping to assist relatives and friends . Besides these local Charities they must remember that a large number of provinces had their special Institutions of a similar character , in addition to which there were the great

central Masonic Institutions in London with large schools and almshouses , in support of which—as stated the other day by the Prince of Wales at the Mansion House—the body of Freemasons contributed £ 40 , 000 a year . In these schools were some children from Preston . When they remembered the good that had been done by their Order he thought the words of St . Paul , " Let us not be weary in well doing ; for in due season we shall reap , if we faint not , "

could be applied to its members . In speaking of the text the rev . gentleman said that doing well included all good deeds , and especially acts of charity . This well doing had to be shown towards all men , and if they practised it they imitated God and His Son Jesus Christ . They were also exhorted to persevere in well . doing ; and they , as Freemasons , although they had done much , must feel assured that fresh opportunities for giving would continually arise .

'I here vvas great encouragement for them to continue their good deeds , for perseverance scarcely ever failed of success ; and for continuance in well doing there was a certain reward . In conclusion , he earnestly pleaded for the West Lancashire Masonic Educational Fund and the Hamer Fund for Distressed Masons . The collection was then made , and it realised £ 25 13 s . Sd . —Preston Guardian .

Annual Dinner Of The Faith Lodge Of Instruction, No. 141.

ANNUAL DINNER OF THE FAITH LODGE OF INSTRUCTION , No . 141 .

The annual dinner of this lodge of instruction took place at thc lodge house , 2 , Westminster-chambers , Victoriastreet , S . W ., Bro . Cottebrune , P . G . P ., Preceptor of thc lodge , in the chair , supported on his left by Bro . Pereival , and appointed for his supporters Bros . Hunt , P . M ., S . W . ;

and Gardner , J . W . After the banquet the usual Masonic toasts were given and responded to . Bro . PERCIVAL , taking the gavel , proposed " The Health of the W . M . Presiding" in eulogistic terms , and trusted thc Great Architect of the Universe would long spare him to be amongst them . The toast was heartily received by all present .

Bro . COTTEBRUNE , in response , thanked the brethren for the hearty acknowledgment the toast had received amongst them ; and , in the course of his well-selected remarks , alluded to the various ups and downs the lodge had experienced in his time , it having been driven about in all directions , but lately the lodge had found a safe anchorage he thought he might saj ' . He could not help observing that

the mother lodge had rendered them but little support in numbers , but those who had made it convenient to attend had ably supported them ; however , that night they had some eight or nine members of the mother lodge . Among them were four P . M . ' s , his esteemed friend iiro . W . Carter , twenty-two years Treasurer of the lodge , also Bros . Stuart , Mallett , and Dairy . Among the lay members were

Bros . Chobham , Dibble , Holland , and Macmillan , and he must express his gratification at meeting so goodly a muster of Lodge 141 . He had been their Preceptor for a great number of years , but was afraid he would have to give it up . ( Cries of " No , no . " ) It vvas not from a desire to do so he could assure them , but he had an old friend which he had from time to time tried to shake off , but without avail ;

Annual Dinner Of The Faith Lodge Of Instruction, No. 141.

he vvas able to pacif y him for awhile , but , after laying latent foratime , would again make himself felt , which would make him very cross , and prevent him from enjoying himself as vvas his wont . He thanked them for their kindly feeling ; towards him , and while he could he would render them aU the assistance in his power , which remarks were received with approbation by the brethren . The next toast vvas that of " The Members of thc Mother

Lodge , which vvas well received . Bro . CARTER responded , his name having been coupled with the toast . Toasts were also proposed by the W . M . to "W . M . 's , Secretaries , Wardens , Deacons , and other Officers belonging to Lodges , " the same being replied to by the various members . The W . M . next asked the brethren to acknowledge the toast of "Thc Host and Hostess , Bro . and Mrs . Cole . "

They had for eight or nine years made them very comfortable , and always catered for their creature comforts in a way that gave them thc highest satisfaction . Bro . Cole vvas always with them to render assistance and attention , and Mrs . Cole , he believed , always superintended the culinary arrangements for their more substantial enjoyments—a post her great abilities so well fitted her for . He trusted they would be long spared to enjoy the tribute the Faith Lodge of Instruction were always prepared to show them .

The toast vvas drunk with enthusiasm . Bro . COLE , in reply , said it gave him great satisfaction to be told by their Preceptor in such flattering terms how well he pleased them . He must say he had always endeavoured to do so , and to lind his efforts crowned with success gave himself and Mrs . Cole universal pleasure , and while they had the honour of having the lodge held there , every

effort would be made to make them happy ; and , in conclusion , begged , on behalf of his wife ancl self , to thank them for the cordial way in which the toast had been received . Songs , sentiments , and seasonable greetings were dispersed between at suitable intervals , and many of the brethren personally thanked Bro . Cottebrune for his great assistance in working them up . It is only fair to say that a more enjoyable evening could scarcely be spent .

Province Of Warwickshire.

PROVINCE OF WARWICKSHIRE .

The following circular has been issued by the Hon . Secretary of the Association of Charity Stewards : — " 37 J Bennett ' s Hill , Birmingham , " December 4 th , 1 SS 0 . " Dear Sir and Brother , — " By desire of the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master , Lord Leigh , I enclose you a copy of

resolutions unanimously passed at a meeting of the Association of Charity Stewards , held at the Masonic Hall , New-street , Birmingham , on thc ist day of November last . " The object of these resolutions may be thus briefly stated . To consolidate the Benevolent and Annuity Fund , and a fund now being raised into one common fund , to be called the ' Warwickshire Masonic Benevolent and Pupils ' Aid Fund , ' and to amalgamate the two Committees known

respectively as the ' Association of Charity Stewards' and the ' Benevolent and Annuities Fund Committee' into one general representative Committee , whose duty it shall be to take charge of and promote Masonic benevolence in this province , not only in connection with the general Masonic Charities , but also for the investigation and relief of all such local claims and applications as may from time to time he referred to it by the several lodges in thc province .

" Let it be distinctly understood that the proposed fund will not in any way interfere with the three great Central Charities , thc Boys' and Girls' Schools , and the Institution for the Aged , nor is . it contemplated that the brethren will in any relax their efforts in support of those Charities . Thc proposed fund will be merel y supplementary to them , occupying , in . fact , ground which they do not cover . " For many years past the Benevolent and Annuity

Fund of this province has supplemented the action of the R . M . B . Institution by assisting certain of our aged Warwickshire brethien or their widows . This has been done by granting them weekly sums of money . In some cases the assistance required has onl y been temporary ; in others it has been rendered because the recipient had not reached the . ' necessaty age ( 55 ) for an annuity to be granted from the R . M . B . Institution , or it may have been given to support a

candidate until an annuity could bc secured . It is proposed in the same way to help those boys ancl girls who may not be successful in getting admitted to thc schools . It s . iould be remembered that it is only between the ages of eight and eleven that children are eligible for admission to those Institutions . The severity of the contest for election is also constantly increasing , and although b y combined action on the part of the governors and subscribers throughout this

province , wc have met with a fair amount of success , so many are the children who arc applicants for admission to the schools ; that some often have to wait over two , three , or more elections before the province can take up their cases . Occasionally a case comes before us with strong claims for our sympathy and support , but ineligible for admission to the school by reason of having exceeded the specified age . Moreover there are cases too often occurrinir where

a family of several children is left more or less destitute , most of them too young for admission to the schools even had the province sufficient voting power to secure their election . _ In such cases as these where help is urgently required it is proposed to afford it by either wholly or partially boarding , clothing , and educating them under proper supervision . ' * It is also proposed to assist those of our Warwickshire

children who may be in need of assistance when they leave school , that assistance to be of such a nature as thc circumstances of the child may require and the state of the fund permit . " These are some of the most prominent reasons why >' is considered that the formation of such a fund as the one suggested should be commenced , and it is earnestly hoped that every brother in the province , either by donation or annual subscription , or both , will accord it his hearty

support . " I am , dear Sir and Brother , yours faithfully and fraternally , " THOMAS HOWKINS , P . P . G . S . W ., " Hon . Sec . to the Committee . ' . A meeting of the association of Charity Stewards of this province was held at the Masonic Hall , Birmingham , o " Monday , November ist , the R . W . Prov . Grand Master , Lord Leigh in the chair , "To consider the desirability ot establishing a fund for the assistance of necessitous pup » after leaving the Boys' and Girls' Schools . " _____^¦¦ - '•ii '