The Masonic Charities.

walls of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . I cannot close this sketch of the Boys School without referring to the excellent management of the House Committee , or

Avithout reminding my readers , how much the present success of the institution and the extinction of the debt are OAving to tlie indomitable energy ancl perseverance of our Bro . F . Binckes , the active Secretary of the School . Bro . Binckes had to work

up a large ancl unfavourable balance , he had what is always so difficult fce do , to appeal again and again for tho reduction of a debt which Avas very heavy . But I feel sure of this , that no better Avork has been done for Freemasonry for a long time , than the

erection of the Boys' School , and Ave should be most ungrateful were AA e to lose sight of the unceasing energy , or to ignore the unwearied assiduity which have characterized Bro . Binckes' efforts to extinguish this very heavy burden on the School Funds .

In the hour of success , let us not forget to Avhose persevering patience , so much credit is really and justly due . The Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution , for aged Freemasons and Widows of

Freemasons , Avas founded at a Grand Lodge held on the second of March , 1842 . In its origin it Avas established , however , for granting annuities to males only , and the annuity then granted Avas on a scale as folloAVs :

From 60 to 70 £ 10 to £ 20 . „ 70 to 75 15 to 20 . „ 75 — 20 to 30 . In 1867 this scale Avas abolished , an uniform payment was made to the men of £ 26 , and this has been increased this year

to £ 36 . In 1849 the WidoAvs' Fund was established , and annuities similar to the above scale were granted , but in 1867 this was altered to one of £ 25 per annum , and increased this year to £ 28 . It is interesting to remember that at the first Festival in 1847 , the amount realised Avas £ 819

16 s . Avith 40 Stewards . While hi 1873 , Avith 185 Stewards , the large sum was received of £ 6 , 866 16 s . In 1842 fifteen male annuitants Avere elected , there are IIOAV 115 , each year shearing a gradual

increase ; and Avhile the number of female annuitants elected in 1844 Avas only five , there are UOAV 80 Widows on the Fund , and ten receiving half their husbands ' annuity . The Asylum at Croydon Avhich contains apartments for thirty-three

annuitants is fully occupied , so that , in every respect , this excellent charity is not only productive of much benefit to all its recipients , but seems to have a very strong claim on the systematic siqqiort of the Craft . Its fixed income is about £ 2 , 084 ,

the expenditure about £ 7 , 300 , so that £ 5 , 000 has to be raised annually from the liberality and goodwill of our Order . I have thus given , as time only allowed me , or rather sjiace only permitted , a short sketch of our Metropolitan Masonic Chari-.

ties , and they certainly , alike in their end ancl object , as in their present active develojiement and effective organization , reflect not only the greatest credit on those Avho manage them , but they are Institutions of which as Freemasons Ave may be justly

proud . It has been said , I am aAvare , that our annuities are too small , and there my he some force in the remark , especially hi the dear times in Avhich Ave live . Probably ,

did the Committee feel themselves justified , looking at their receipts , to increase the annuities , they Avould gladly do so , ancl they have , I may observe , already made an increase this year . Those of us Avho value Freemasonry , as many of us sincerely do ,

Avill rejoice to think how Avell these works of utility arid sympathy ancl brotherly love , which are represented in the Charities illustrate the true teaching of our good old Order . I cannot help thinking that if Ave realized this more fully than Ave do , by a more general combined action in our . Pro-