Royal Benevolent Institution For Aged Freemasons And Their Widows.

annuitants on the books , receiving among them 1 , 850 Z . annually . The annual income of the males at that date was—From Grand Lodge , 5001 . ; Grand Chapter , 100 Z . ; dividends on funded property , l , l 7 l _ . 10 s . ; leaving 678 Z . 10 A endowment to the Institution for aged Freemasons . The residue of the income of this branch of the Institution is made up from annual subscriptions . There are at present thirty-one approved candidates on the list for election . The Freemasons Widows Fund was established in 1850 , since which period ninety-one widows of

our deceased Brethren have been recipients , to whom have been paid 8 , 282 ? . 18 s . 6 d . After the election in May last there were fifty-nine female annuitants , receiving from the fund per annum l , V 70 l . The annual income of the Widows Fund consists of—Grand Lodge , 300 Z . ; Grand Chapter , 501 . ; dividends on funded property , 306 Z . ; together , 656 ? . The whole income from the votes of Grand Lodge amounts to 514 Z . The residue of the income of this branch of the Institution is made up from annual subscriptions . There are at present

twentyone approved female candidates on the list for election . There is an Asylum at Croydon , attached to the Institution , capable of affording accommodation for thirty-four inmates , each of whom has two rooms ; and at the present time there are twenty-seven occupants . The whole of the building has been paid for , and there is a Sustentation Fund of 1 , 000 ^ . stock , the interest of which is employed to keep the edifice in good order ; so that the subscription for annuities arc not employed for maintaining the building . That , Brethren , is the

substance of your Secretary ' s statement , and I think it affords a very satisfactory account of this Institution ' s working , so far as the subscriptions are concerned ; but you will at the same time see that much more than the present annual income is required to pay the annuities to our aged and decayed Brethren and sisters , and the Institution depends on your generosity to supply what is required . It is your urgent and bouudon duty to come forward and do what you can to assist it in the hour of its need . It has been said before that this is the most interesting of our charitable institutions . Certainly , I should not attempt to bring before you that most touching and interesting scene which

you have often behold in this Hall , when the children , I may say , of your adoption—whom you are gloriously initiating into their education , and into their means of entering upon and fighting the great battle of life—have been brought before you on this platform . I have seen that touching display draw tears from the eyes of old and disciplined Masons , and , though I cannot bring that scene before you in the case of this Institution , it is equally deserving your support . ( Hear , hear . ) I may bring before you , indeed , the case of our Aged Brethren , who ,

though now reduced , we may believe with light aspirations and light hopes once entered into that great battle of life , and who , though they may have fought unsuccessfully , have , perhaps , fought faithfully , and now appeal to you in the helplessness of old age to bring solace and comfort to them in thennecessities . ( Cheers . ) I would most urgently advocate the cause of these Aged and Distressed Freemasons , who now look to you with trust and hope to relieve them in their misfortunes , and I would ask you to reflect what a happy

conviction it must prove to you in your joys and in your sorrows that you have relieved those poor and distressed Brethren , and that they in their gratitude raise their fervent supplications to the great Architect of the Universe for the happiness and prosperity of those who have shed the last ray of hope and comfort upon their declining days , and on that existence which would otherwise be so dark and dismal . ( Applause . ) I thank you sincerely for the patience with which you have heard me . I leave in your handsmost confidentlthe

, y , cause of our aged and distressed Brothers and Sisters , in whom I know each and all of you feel the same warmth of interest as I do myself , and I am sure that on this occasion , as on all occasions when you are asked , you will come forward generously to smooth their last steps ere they descend into the grave . Brethren , I give you most cordially and heartily , " Success to the Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and their Widows . " ( Great cheering . )

The toast was drunk enthusiastically . Bro . Farnfield , Assistant Grand Secretary , and . Secretary to the Royal Benevolent Institution for Aged Freemasons and their Widows , read the list of