Lodge Of Benevolence.

LODGE OF BENEVOLENCE .

The monthly meeting of the Lodge of Benevolence xvas held on Wednesday at Freemasons' Hall . Bro . Joshua Nunn , P . G . S . B ., President , occupied the President ' s chair ; Bro . lames Brett , P . G . P ., Senior Vice-President , occupied

the chair of that officer ; and Bro . Charles Atkins , Junior Vice-President , occupied thc Junior Vice-President ' s chair There xverc also present Bros . Col . Shadwell H . Gierke , G . Sec ; H . G . Buss , Asst . G . Sec ; Alfred A . Pcndlebury , VV . Dodd , Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , J . H . Mather , C . A .

Cottebrune , L . F . Littell , G . P . Britten , Henry Garrod , William Stephens , W . Mann , Thos . Cull , Thos . Cubitt , Rev . Thos . Cochrane , G . C , E . F . Storr , J . D . Collier , Charles Dairy , W . H . Pcrryman , C . F . Hogard , F . R . Spaull , G . P . Davis , Henry VV . Wallis , Isaac Latimer ,

P . P . G . J . W . Devon ; E . A . Wells , XV . M . Tegg , W . O . Lyon , William Foulsham , Courtenay Wynn , T . F . Peacock , J . H . Taylor , Arthur E . Gladxvell , James Smith , W . F . Gardner , Ulysses Latreille , Captain A . Nicols , Edwd . White , F . J . Vialls , Jas . Jordan , Thos .

Markland , J . F . Powell , John H . Southwood , F . Bloom , G . Free , G . T . Goodinge , W . Herbage , Joseph House , A . M . Ellingsford , W . G . Batchelor , A . J . Probyn , George J . Smith , jun ., G . H . H . Thomson , Edxvd . Blinkhorn , E . Zwinger , John Soper , Nathaniel Goodchild , R . Tilling , T .

Beaver , J . N . Batt , Samuel Lloyd , J . Giesman Chillingworth , John Maclean , T . C . Haslip , M . D . Loewenstark , G . Redding , J . G . Humphreys , A . McDowell , W . Lake , G . Bolton , G . A . Taylor , Thomas Harrison , R . Chandler , T . Honeyman , John S . Leoper , W . Clifton Crick , T . C . Fryer , G . Perkins , F . A . Elder , G . P . Festa , H . Sadler , G . Tyler ;

and H . Massey ( Freemason ) . The Board of Masters was first held and the agenda paper for Grand Lodge of ? th March was submitted to them . At the Lodge of Benevolence the brethren first confirmed

grants to the extent of £ 255 recommended to the Grand Master at last meeting . There xverc 34 cases on the nexv list . Of these 12 xvcre from thc metropolitan district 13 from the provinces , txvo from Scotland , one from Madras , one from Trichinopoly , one from Constantinople , one from Madrid , one from Tunis , one from Calcutta , and one from

Lucknoxv . Four cases xverc deferred , being incomplete . The remainder xvere relieved xvith £ . 750 . This xvas composed of txvo grants of £ 100 ( £ 200 ) ; one £ 75 ( £ 75 ); one £ 40 ( £ 4 ° ) i thrce i ' 30 ( £ 90 ) . ' two £ -5 ( r 5 o ) ; eight £ 20 ( £ 160 ); thrce £ 15 ( £ 45 ) i eight £ 10 ( £ So ); and txvo £ 5 ( £ 10 ) . The lodge xvas then closed .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

The General Committee of the Girls' School met at Freemasons' Hall on Thursday , when Col . John Creaton presided . There xvere also present Bros . Robert Grey , Joshua Nunn , Frederick Walters , Robt . P . Tebb , C . Locke

Smiles , John A . Rucker , J . H . Matthexvs , James Peters , H . A . Dubois , A . H . Tattershall , and E . C . Massey ( Freemason ) . The minutes of the meeting of January 25 th were read and verified and those of the House Committee of thc 15 th inst . were read for information , on xvhich date the number

of girls in the School was reported as being 239 . Petitions on behalf of Sophia Heastie and Mabel Harriet Godfrey were considered and received , and the names ordered to be placed on the list of candidates for election . The CHAIRMAN stated that a letter had been received

from Mrs . Lord xvithdraxving the name of her daughter from the list of candidates . The Chairman xvas authorised to sign certain cheques , a list of xvhich was read to the Committee ; and there being no further business , a vote of thanks to the Chairman closed the proceedings .

District Grand Lodge Of Natal.

DISTRICT GRAND LODGE OF NATAL .

By the last mail from England Bro . R . I . Finnemore , F . R . G . S ., has received from Colonel Shadxvell II . Gierke , the Grand Secretary , London , a notification as folloxvs : — " 1 have thc p leasure to inform you that His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales has been pleased to appoint

you to be District Grand Master of Natal from the 13 th December , 18 S 2 . 1 give on the next page a list of thc lodges which will form your district , and xvith hearty congratulations on your having attained to so high and dignified a position in Masonry , I remain , Right Worshipful Sir and Brother , yours fraternally , —SHADWELL H . CLERKE ,

Colonel , G . S . " The lodges comprised in the district are as folloxvs : — No . 738 , Durban ; No . 95 * 3 , Maritzburg ; No . 1192 , Avoca ; No . 1665 , Maritzburg ; No . 1 GS 4 , Richmond ; No . 1729 , Maritzburg ; No . 1 SG 7 , Grey town ; No . 1937 , Aldington , and No . 197 O , Pinetown . —Natal Mercury , Jan . 22 nd .

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

REPORTS OF MASONIC MEETINGS .

( Kraft JEasonrg .

EMULATION LODGE ( No . 21 ) . —A COMPLIMENT TO BRO . DE KEYSER . —Regarded from every point of viexv , the complimentary dinner given on Monday night to Bro . Alderman and Sheriff De Keyser , at the Albion Hotel , Aldersgate-street , by the Master and brethren of the above lodge xvas a significant and brilliant success . Both from the heartiness and urbanity xvhich characterised the proceedings throughout , and as xvell as

from the number of distinguished Masons xvho graced the assemblage xvith their presence , the event xvas one that must be regarded as one of the most important that has taken place in London for some time past . The guest of the evening has long been a member of the Emulation Lodge , and it xvas a graceful act on the part of the brethren to recognise the many acts of kindness , benevolence , and public enterprise xvhich havc earned for him such high

distinction amongst the citizens of London . Ihe atmosphere of the Albion on thc occasion referred to xvas pregnant with expressions of hearty amenity and good fellowship , into xvhich the brethren and the prominent members [ of Grand Lodge and others xvho xverc invited guests entered xvith the utmost spirit of good will . Lodge xvas opened xvith Bro . T . F . Peacock , W . M ., in thc chair , supported by Bros . Samuel Hill , S . W . ; R . C

Grant , J . W . ; T . Taylor , P . M ., Treas . ; Arthur Hill , Sec ; Major Campbell , S . D . ; M . R . Sewell , J . D . ; G . Singer , P . M ., D . C . ; XV . Wing , P . M ., W . S . ; H . C . Brunning , I . G ., and a galaxy of Past Masters , including Bros . Brackstone Baker , P . G . J . D . ; D . Clarke , H . J . Godden , S . J . Norris , I . ; Pointing , VV . J . Vian , H . M . Stoltcnhoff , Griffiths , C * E . Stoltcnhoff , R . Berridge , R . P . Spice , G . Watson , C . Mansfield , W . Abbott , and others .

There xvere about 40 other brethren and amongst the visitors xvcre Bros . Sir Francis Wyatt Truscott , Bart ., No . 1 , P . G . W ., and lately Lord Mayor of London ; Alderman Foxvler , M . P ., P . M . G 2 G ; Alderman Sir Reginald Hanson , Ex-Sheriff , S . W . 77 S ; Major General j . W . Laurie , Grand Master of Nova Scotia ; S . Moss , P . M . 7 , Canadian Registrar ( Montreal ) ; Ex-Sheriff Burt , P . A . G . D . C ; Sir John B . Monkton ( Toxvn Clerk ) No . 1 ,

President of the Board of General Purposes ; Col . Shadxvell H . Gierke , G . S . of England ; Rev . J . H . Smith , P . M . 279 , P . P . G . Chap . Leicester and Rutland ; R . H . Girard , No . 1 , P . G . D . ; I . DavisSexvell , 1 S 27 , P . G . S . ; G . Lambert , P . M . igS , P . G . S . B . ; R . S . Pigott , 11 , A . G . D . C ; Frank Richardson , 14 , P . G . D . ; T . G . Bullen , P . M . 197 , P . G . S . ; H . Higgins , P . M . 13 S 1 ; J . Crispe , W . M . 410 ; H . Bishop , P . M . Go ; A . Gabriel , 310 ; A . XV . Stansfield , P . M .

1019 ; J . Donaldson , W . M . 7 ; A . Day , P . M . 166 ; C . Smith , P . M . 5 S ; H . C . Barker , P . M . 29 ; C . Monckton , P . M . 1150 ; A . G . Browning , P . M . 33 ; G . N . Johnson , P . M . No . 1 ; J . R . Cooper , P . M . 171 ; A . W . Morgan , P . M . 17 G ; E . M . Hnbbuck , P . M . 5 8 ; L . W . Durdcn , W . M . 370 ; G . W . Hatkwill , W . M . elect 1150 ; W . Hubage . W . M . 177 ; S . Day , S . W . 16 G ; C . D . Miller , J . VV . 28 ; F . H . Williams , I . G . iS ; E . J . Poxvell ,

3 G 0 ( Scotland ) ; H . J . Griffths , late of 21 ; E . Matheson , 1320 ; A . W . Stead , J . D . 25 ; J . W . Stockwell . 1364 ; G . B . Cutler , E . Gamman , Gio ; A . L . Drought , 16 3 ; A . Probyn , 172 ; C . T . Speight , Prov . GrandTylerof Surrey ; and many others . After the usual ceremonies the W . Master , Bro . Peacock , xvas unanimously elected as Grand Stexvard , and the ballot xvas then opened for Mr . Joseph Savory , Sheriff

of London and Middlesex , xvho had been nominated by Bro . Alderman and Sheriff De Keyser , and seconded by Bro . George Singer , P . M . ; also for Mr . Marriott Ogle Tarbottom , C . E ., of Nottingham , proposed by Bro . R . P . Spice , P . M ., seconded by Bro . R . Berridge , P . M . The voting in each case was unanimous , and the candidates xvere initiated into the mysteries and privileges of the Order , the xvorking of the VV . M . and his ollicers eliciting

very deserved expressions of approbation from all present . After business there xvas a good deal of pleasant gaiety and interchange of friendly sentiment in the reception rooms , and at seven o ' clock the party sat doxvn to an admirable banquet , xvhich did infinite credit to the urbane and courteous manager of the Albion , Bro . W . G . Jennings . The customary prefatory toasts xvere got over briefly by the VV . M ., and Bro . Sir F . Wyatt Truscott in responding

for" The Grand Officers " observed that the Craft generally must feel proud of being presided over by noblemen who devoted so much time to the interests of Freemasonry , and so well discharged the duties of their important offices . He expressed the peculiar pleasure it gave him to be present xvhen an honour so deserved was to be bestoxved upon his friend , Bro . Alderman De Keyser , xvhose position they had so splendidly recomiised on the occasion .

Bro . Colonel Shadxvell H . Clerke observed that it was a pleasure fo all the Grand Officers to xvitness the success of all Masonic meetings , and more especially to be present in a lodge like this , xvhich had such a distinguished history for many years past , and xvhen they had met to congratulate one of their members upon the honours that had recently accrued to him . Thc Grand Officers were thoroughly in accord xvith every brother xvho xvore thc light blue . The

M . W . G . M . had lor good and proper reasons nonoured them xvith promotion to the dais , and he honestly believed they xvere all eager and anxious to do xvhat they possibly could to hold and preserve the high positions in xvhich they had been placed . The Worshipful Master then gave "The Sister Lodges , " and coupled with the toast the name of Bro . Major-General Laurie , Grand Master of Nova Scotia , xvho xvas most enthusiastically received .

Bro . Major-General Laurie in an eloquent address in response said he could not , although they had been kind enough to couple his name xvith the sister lodges throughout the xvorld , consider himself a foreigner . He had lately been elected to the court of thc Sadlcrs Company , and therefore he xvas very much at home . Moreover , he had sat as a subscribing member in a lodge in every part of the world under the banners either of England or Ireland . But he xvas called upon under rather peculiar circumstances some years ago to join the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia ,

Reports Of Masonic Meetings.

with a viexv to his name being brought forward as Grand Master . He had endeavoured to discharge his duties to the satisfaction of the brethren who put him in that position , although perhaps the state of Masonry abroad outside the jurisdiction xvith xvhich those present were acquainted xvas not so xvell knoxvn as it mi" -ht be . It seemed almost a pity that some of thc facts xvere not more xvidely familiar to brethren

on this side of the Atlantic . For instance , Bro . Brackstone Baker had just shoxvn turn a medal of the Grand Lodgeof Nexv York , which meant there were 80 , 000 subscribing members under the banner of that Grand Lodge alone . I hey must look at the figures to recognise what a hold Masonry had taken on the other side of the water , lt was the same in principle there as in England , of course , but they xvere not able to exercise that magnificent charity which is

dispensed in this country . Here they xvere able t 0 pu i ? £ 42 , 000 a year as subscriptions to the three grand Masonic Chanties , to be distributed for the benefit of the widoxvs and orphans , and old and decayed Masons . In America they could not do that ; at least , they had not yet tried . I here perhaps they did their xvork in asomewhat different xvay . Each lodge supported its own aged , and widoxvs , and orphansand then they xvent outside

, and gave personal service . In the fearful scourge of yellow fever they had heard of , Masons came forth from their different lodges in the States of the Union and went doxvn ' and gave their services personall y as doctors , nurses , and attendants to 1 thepoorsuffenngfeverpatients . I hen again during the fearful floods that had taken place in America there xvere 21 lifeboats supported by the Masonic fraternity engaged in saving livesThus the

. humanity and charity of Masonry is exemplified there as well as here , only it developed in a different practice . They xvent and gave their own right hands and oxvn good hearts for others . These subordinate lodges were the children of this great Grandmother Lodge of England , and had learnt and inherited this great virtue ot charity from this side and here they must come as the fountain of honour .

B . * Abbott , I . P . M next proposed in felicitous terms T he Health of the Worshipful Master . " Bro . Peacock in responselexpresscd his desire to discharge the duties of the chair to thc satisfaction of the brethren . In coming to the toast of the evening , the Worshipful Master asked the indulgence of thc brethren while he told them xvhy they had invited their guest , Bro . Alderman De Keyser , to come amongst them on that occasionin order

, that they might welcome him in his present position . Bro . De keyser xvas born in Belgium , but had come to this country and become a naturalised British subject . He had xvorked in the City xvith intelligence and perseverance , xvhich enabled him to conquer all difficulties that beset his path and he became a prosperous man in London . Having like a sensible man looked after his oxvn interests and acquired sufficient to enable him to settle down comfortahlv he

looked around to see how he could benefit his neighbours , and commenced , as many Englishmen did , by entering into n » Eolltl « affa , " ? „ P ar , sh * H < - successively served all the offices of St . Bride's , and xvas overseer , guardian , and churchxvarden . Naturall y after that he entered the Court of Common Council , and for many years , as now , he had given the results of his experience in life for the benefit ot the citizens of London . " sfrvino- Hi- „ ffi ,. » nf

chairman of the Brid ge House Committee and becoming a governor of Bridewell and Bethlehem Hospitals . In due course he xvas elected as an Alderman and one of the Sheriffs of London and Middlesex , and Z - ! P [ es , cntcd by . the residents in his xvard with the badge and insignia of his office , " at a cost of about £ 300 , in token of their appreciation of his efforts for their genera benefit . He was also one of the founders

of the Guildhall School of Music , and engaged actively in all matters of public usefulness . He entered Freemasonry under the auspices of Bro . Brackstone Baker in the lodge , and continued in it for many years , ultimately serving as I . G . But Freemasonry offered no excuses for a man to neglect his business , and with his many and great responsibilities Bro . De Keyser ceased to be an active member of the lodge for some time . Thev saw in him

hoxvever one of the founders of the Macdonald Lodge in connection with the hirst Surrey Rifles , and he xvas also with the volunteers in Belgium , where in consideration of his active services he was created by the King a Knight of he Order of Leopold . During all this time although Bro . De Keyser xvas absent in person he was always thought of , and they xvere now anxious to do honour to him in his own lodge , consequently they had invited as manv friP n ^ = a «

they could accommodate to meet him . He thought they would all agree that in this assembly they had produced a very strong evidence of the respect and esteem in which Bro . De Keyser is held , and in conclusion he wished him health and all happiness and prosperity , adding the hope that the Corporation of London might live long enough to see him IJOrd Mayor , and that he might ultimately occupy the chair of the Emulation Lodge . vioerman

. uro . and Sheriff Dc Keyser , who was enthusiastically received , said his heart xvas beating with sincere and deep gratitude for the honour they had done him , and his brain xvas on fire to find expressions adequate to interpret the sentiments xvhich then animated him . He xvas sure that many of those present having had similar if not so complimentary honours offered to them would be able to understand how dillicult it was in those moments to do justice to such a toast heir excellent

. I W . M . had been good enough to begin , as he said , at the beginning , and that beginning was one of which in a Masonic sense he felt proud , Because it proved that Masonry was of a truly generous spirit , as it recognised and admitted him as one of themselves-those XVM u TSiT " , , , ro , n h > s mother country . Thc W . M . had alluded to the feeble services he had rendered in the different positions he had occupiedHe had

. occanf ^ W ^ ?'" , P ? nce of a fexv of the members rnnJ I- } l P '" ^ ''« ' Which he thought he might Still repeat , that one of the reasons xvhich prompted him conscif „ , i ° „ ? i Up a ffreat deal of h's time to public life Zt ? J * 1 A van | t y or ambition , but a desire to recognise u i- j Ar addoneforhlm m the country of his adoption . He did not forget he had a dutv to nerform . He I ™™ ten

well what they had done for him in the past , and it xvould be ungrateful and unlike a Mason if he were not to express to the utmost of his poxver his readiness to do all he could , not only for the community at large but for the poor , in recognition of the kindness , friendship , and tokens of affection he had received in this country . He xvas very pleased when the VV . M . began by saying he xvould tell them xvhy tney . had invited him to the banquet , because he thought Bro ,