Contents.

CONTENTS .

EDITORIAL : CONDEMNATION 215 ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS ( Special Court ) 216 k 217 MASONIC " POET ' CORNER " 217 QUARTERLY COMMUNICATION OF THE UNITED GRAND

LODGE OF ENGLAND 217 NOTIFICATIONS 217 ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE 21 S

OUR TRESTLE BOARD 219 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 210 PROVINCIAL 219 & 220 METROPOLITAN LODGE AND CHAPTER MEETINGS FOR THE CURRENT WEEK 220 ADVERTISEMENTS Front cover , 211 , 221 , 222 , 223 , 224

Condemnation.

Condemnation .

S will be seen by our account of the proceedings of the Special Court of tlie Governors and Subscribers of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , held on

Thursday last , the report of the Committee of Investigation lately presented has been adopted , and the recom . mendations annexed thereto are to be carried out in their

entirety . The condemnation of the management of the Institution during the past few years has been pronounced without reservation of any kind ; and the determination

that a better order of things shall De at once established gives promise that the future will remedy the evils of the past . There can be no doubt that the most proper course

which could have been taken was that which secures the temporary management of the affairs of the School by a Provisional Committee , whose powers will be such as to

set aside all possible interference from any person or persons hitherto connected with the former Committees or deriving authority therefrom . Probably never in the annals of charitable institutions has so entire and immediate

a change in administration taken place , or so sweeping a condemnation been so deserved . To the Craft generally it must be a matter of deep regret that the affairs of one of

their beloved Institutions should have become the subject of public discussion , and the discreditable details spread far and wide by the universal press . But they may be

consoled by the knowledge that the late investigation was made in time to prevent further mischief ; and that when known to those concerned effectual steps were taken to

mark their sense of disapprobation , and to call to account tbe Committees and Officials who were responsible for the mischief done .

We have now the satisfaction of knowing that the Institution will be safe during an interregnum , more or less prolonged as circumstances may require , in the hands of a

Condemnation.

body of bretliren of distinguished reputation in the Craft , and of undoubted independence in connection with Masonic matters . And it will be the duty of all true friends of the Institution to avoid any interference whatsoever with their

deliberations or directions . It may be relied upon that the report they will make at a future Special Court , and the advice as to subsequent arrangements which such report may contain , will merit and meet with approbation ; and

whether it be that the displacement which has been demanded .-shall be quite so complete as has been apparently desired , or that some amount of condonation may be advisable in the interests of the school , their

decisions should be loyally accepted and acted upon . The proceedings of the late Special Court ; the disapproval it has expressed ; the reproof it has administered ; the condemnation of those in whom the subscribers had

trusted , and the ste 23 S taken for securing a future administration , free from all those evils which have brought obloquy on the Institution , should now , we think , satisfy those who have lately hesitated as to the disposition of

their charitable gifts in favour of the Boys' School . Whilst any uncertainty existed it could well be supposed that lodges and individual brethren would , and very

properly so , refrain from any efforts to assist " a muddled charity , " and subscribe funds Avhich might not have direct application to the objects for which they were raised . But

now there can be no such reason for withholding assistance , for the fullest reliance can be placed upon the provisional management and the integrity of the policy they will adopt during their regency . The certainty in this respect

is even greater at the moment than could , at the best , have been the case had not the recent investigations taken place , and , therefore , as the School must be carried on from day to day , and funds for such purpose are probably more than ever necessary , whilst it would be a cruel shame

that our poor lads should be the sufferers for the faults of those who stood in loco parentis towards them—for all these and many more reasons—the resolutions of lodges and individuals , which resolutions if carried out would

considerably lessen the anticipated and necessary income of the Institution , should be recalled , and the strongest possible efforts be made to strengthen the hands of the provisional management and afford them fair opportunity

for advising upon the future re-arrangement or re-establishment by securing a grand total on the Stewards' Lists at the forthcoming Festival in July . No fear but that that will be faithfully applied , and perhaps , and very probably ,

the announcement of a larger amount than might have been expected would have the effect of restoring a confidence which in former years this Institution enjoyed in

common with others , which it is sad to know has been so rudely shaken , but which , notwithstanding present condemnation , nay ! possibly because thereof , may soon become as strong as ever .