Monthly Masonic Summary.

Monthly Masonic Summary .

—•—r FHE Anniversary Festival of the Boys' School has taken place at the Alexandra Palac under the distinguished presidency of H . R . H . the Duke of Connanght . It was a very brilliant gathering , Avith two hundred and twenty stewards , and the returns amounted to . £ 10 , 100 , This in itself is a very large sum compared with AAdiat other Societies raise on like occasions , and what Ave Freemasons did ourselves , only a few years back .

Remembering , too , that in 1875 , Bro . Binckes announced , we believe , , £ 12 , 700 in round numbers ; in 1876 , £ 12 , 100 , and in 1 S 77 , J 13 , 100 , Ave might be tempted hastily , at first , to exclaim , "Oh , what a falling off is here ! " But so rash a verdict would neither be just to the Boys' School nor to Brother Binckes . It must be remembered that he has had an exceptional state of things to deal with , in that

trade has been bad , and commerce agitated . Under the circumstances of the case , a great margin was unavoidable , as between 1877 and 1878 . So on the Avhole \ A'e may all feel grateful that it is no worse , and that so large a sum has been raised by the exertions of the stewards , and the zealous friends of the Charity , most useful and

valuable as it really is . The , £ 10 , 100 AVIII be . £ 10 , 500 probably before the end of 1878 . We feel bound to remark that , from No . 1700 , our Lodges seem to be " faineants " in the cause of Charity , inasmuch as only five have helped Bro . Binckes in 1878 . When Ave remember the current expenses of these Lodges , Ave feel sorry to think how little yet they have done for charity , that charity which is often on their lips , but , it is clear , has not yet reached their hearts or pockets . There is great room for improvement

in this respect , which we trust , as regards all the Charities , our returns will show . Another point to be noted is that Lodges and Chapters , as AVell as individual brethren , have to do a good deal more for the Charities . There are only fifty-two Lodges and Chapters , for instance , Vice-Presidents of the Boys' School far too small a proportion , and it is not too much to say that six-tenths of the brethren , and

twothirds of the Lodges and Chapters , have as yet done nothing whatever for the Charities . Bro . Hedges has been elected , by a large majority , Secretary of the Girls' School . He Ai'as returned simply on Masonic grounds , and , to use a 3 oung man ' s expression , " public-running , " and there can be no , doubt that the Life Governors and Voters have done wisely and A \* ell .

They have shoA \* n that , as Masons , they Avere bound to act on principle , and not for " persons , " and that , true to their colours and teaching , they rallied round , if a humble candidate , one Avho united in himself all the needful aud proper qualifications for the oflice , the business of which ho perfectly understood . AU honour to them . ' i