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above the universal religion he is to keep to himself while in the Lodgo , or , in other words , tho peculiar beliefs of tho Jew as well as of the Christian which aro offensive to either should not bo mooted in the Lodge . The promise given to a candidate at initiation is no less pointed and clear ; he is assured of enjoying certain important privileges , and the O . B . does not conflict with his moral and

religions duties . " Wo are also taught that truth is a divine attribute aud tho foundation of every virtue . Influenced by that principle , hypocrisy and deceit are unknown amongst us , sincerity and plain dealing are our distinguishing characteristics , " & c . Now let ns see whether tho English ritual is in conformity with these grand principles . In 1814 the ritual was improved , inasmuch that all allusions to

the Saints John were erased from it . In that respect as well as in other matters the English ritual is less sectarian than onr American rituals , but a passage was then introduced into tho English ritual whioh is unknown even in American Lodges , viz .: " And lift your eyes to that bright morning star whoso rising brings peace and salvation to the faithful and obedient of the human race . "

Now let me ask , what connection is there between the morning star and the salvation of the human race ? The sun does indeed conduce to tho salvation of all life upon the earth , in a physical sense . Indeed , without tho existence of tho sun , either animal or vegetable life would be au impossibility , but what has any special star to do with human salvation in any way or manner ? Besides , there is really

« o morning star in tho strict sense of the phrase . Venus is as often a morning star as ifc is an evening star ; w hen she is seen west of the sun she is a morning star , and when she appears on the east sido of the sun she is an evening star . The phrase or passage in question is unphilosophical in every sense . And to tho Jew ifc is meaningless and mere gibberish .

To the Christian , however , the phrase has a significance ; thus the last chapter of the book of Revelation ( verse 16 ) makes Jesus say , " I am the root and offspring of David , and the bright morning star ;" and the allusion to this passage was jesuitically lugged into the ritual in 1814 , in order to make the unreflecting Jew acknowledge salvation of tho human race through Jesua Christ . I acknowledge , aside from the

moral question , that it was a capital trick ; and I can almost imagine hearing tho Jesuitical trickster exclaiming , when a Jewish Master of a Lodge was uttering that phrase , " Oh ! you fool t Masonry makes you acknowledge salvation through Christ though you don't know it . " I say that ifc is a capital joke , and I have no doubt thafc more than one unscrupulous Christian has chuckled afc the seriousness of W . M . Bro .

Moses while reciting with the usual solemnity , " And lift your eyes to that bright morning star whose rising brings peace and salvation to the human race . " Thank God , however , that class of tricksters are nofc as numerous among Christians as they nsed to be ; very few , even among the clergy , would now sanction the doctrine of deceiving and lying , even when

it might be of benefit to their church . I ask therefore that class of Christian brethren whether either of them conld look in my face and say seriously he believed that hypocrisy and deceit is unknown amongst Masons , and that sincerity and plain dealing are their distinguishing characteristics , while snch deceptive and doubling phrases continue to abound more or less in Masonic rituals ? Of what nse is it

to preach " truth is a divine attribute and tho foundation of every virtue , " while you are knowingly practising such deception ? and what do yon accomplish by that deception ? Conscious of tho ridiculous inconsistency of the Masonic ritual , both in America as well as in England , I have repeatedly called attention thereto in the G . L . of Massachusetts , as well as in tho Masonic press ,

and learning that Bro . Stevens afc last induced the G . L . of England to tako tho Ritual question into consideration , I availed myself of the opportunity of making known tho origin and history of the ritual . I have demonstrated that even the contemptible plea of the " antiquity of the ritual , " could not be urged in its behalf . And I now repeat what I have said before , that the Masonic ritual is alike disgraceful

to Masonry as well as Christianity , and to remove that blot from the Masonic escutcheon yon must either frankly acknowledge that Masonry is merely a Christian , and not a universal institntion , or the ritual will have to be thoroughly denuded of all sectarian allusions , be they Hebrew , Christian , & c , which are offensive to good and true men of all other creeds and beliefs .

Respectfully and fraternally yours , JACOB NORTON . Boston , U . S ., 26 th March 1880 .

A PLEA FOR THE CANDIDATES TO THE ROYAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON s CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —In examining the Proxy Papers for the next election , is it not a pitiable thing to see the nnmber of Petitioners who have appealed moro than once ? In one case ( that of a widow ) being a seventh application , I should ask , Bro . Terry and the governing body of the Institution to think of the hone deferred which in

this and numerous other cases has been undergone , and then for them to see if they can give effect to what I am about to suggest . " Afc all elections to the above Institution , there are a number of vacancies caused by death after tbe ballot papers are issued , which have usually been filled by those unsuccessful candidates highest on the poll . " Now why not fill up the aforesaid vacancies by those who have been longest on the list . They have most likely outlived their Masonic

friends who knew them in their prosperity , and as in the course of nature they cannot expect to live many more years , it would bo a true kindness to help those who cannot help themselves , and it wonld bo no injustice to the unsuccessful candidates , as they havo friends who will come forward again at the next election . How often at the election we find that the " Aged Mason or Widow " that wo are prepared to support has died before the polling day , very often after four or

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five applications . My scheme would prevent this , and at the same timo improve tho appearance of the Proxy papers and prove that Masonic Charity is something moro than a name . Hoping for your support , I remain , yours fraternally , W . C . PARSONS P . M . P . Z . 180 .

BALLOT OF LIFE SUBSCRIBERSHIPS FOR THE R . M . I . G .

To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —As the Festival was held somewhat earlier than was at first announced , and as tho tickets admit to the Bazaar to be held in aid of the Royal Masonio Pupils' Assistance Fund , 29 th and 30 th June , and 1 st and 2 nd July , it has been thought

expedient to postpone the ballot to 5 th July , and successful numbers will bo announced on the 10 th . As many of your readers no doubt hold tickets , I shall esteem it a favour yonr giving publicity to this arrangement .

Brethren holding books will oblige by effecting sales as soon as possible . Each ticket admits to tho Bazaar , although the whole proceeds of sale of tickets are handed over to the Royal Masonio Institution for Girls . Ifc will assist the Bazaar by making this known . Yours fraternally , 24 th April 1880 . DICK RADCLYFFE .

Province Of Berks And Bucks.

PROVINCE OF BERKS AND BUCKS .

The following circular has been issued : — 22 Market Place , Reading , 20 fch April 1880 . The Very Rev . Dean Purey-Cnst having left tho Province , and resigned the office of Deputy Prov . Grand Master , I am commanded by

the Right Worshipful Prov . Grand Master , Sir Daniel Gooch , Bart ., M . P ., to inform yon that he has appointed the V . W . the Eev . J . Studholme Brownrigg to be Deputy Prov . Grand Master , in the room of Dean Purey-Cusfc resigned . ROBERT BRADLEY , Prov . Grand Secretary .

Supreme Grand Chapter Of Royal Arch Masons Of England.

SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER OF ROYAL ARCH MASONS OF ENGLAND .

A QUARTERLY Convocation of the Supreme Grand Chapter will be held at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday , 5 th May , at seven o ' clock in the evening , punctually . The business is as follows : — Tho Regulations for the Government of tha Supreme Grand Chapter during the time of public business to be read .

The minutes of the last Quarterly Convocation to be read for confirmation . Installation of Principals , and Appointment and Investiture of

Officers for the ousuing year . The Committee of General Purposes bog to report that they have examined the accounts from the 21 sfc January to the 20 th April 1880 , both inclusive , which they find to be as follows : —

£ s d £ a d Balance G . Chapter -1328 6 11 Disbursementsduring „ Unappropriated the quarter - 190 17 7 Account - 164 0 1 Balance .... 1493 14 8 Subsequent Receipts 368 6 4 „ in unappropriated account . - . 176 1 1

£ 1860 13 4 £ 1860 13 4 which Balances are in the Bank of England , Western Branch . The Committee havo likewise to report that they have received the following petitions : — 1 st . From Companions Charles Braine Finlayson as Z , Thomas Kennedy as H , William Little as J , and seven others for a Chapter to bo attached to the Yarroweo Lodge , No . 713 , Ballarat , to be called

tho " Yarrowee Chapter , and to meet at Ballarat , Victoria . 2 nd . From Companions Sir Walter Wyndham Burrell , Bart ., M . P ., as Z , Charles John Smith as H , Captain James Campbell Herbert Stratford as J , and seven others for a Chapter to be attached to the Hova Ecclesia Lodge , No . 1406 , Brighton , to be called tho " Hova Villa Chapter , " and to meet at the Old Ship Hotel , Brighton , in the

county of Sussex . 3 rd . From Companions Roberfc Beales , M . D ., as Z , Samuel Franceys Gosling as H , Andreas Edward Cokayne as J , and seven others for a Chapter to be attached to the Eaton Lodge , No . 533 , Congleton , to be called the " Warren Chapter , " and to meefc afc the Freemasons ' Hall , Congleton , Cheshire .

4 th . From Companions Charles Pulman as Z , Samuel Pownceby as H , Henry Charles Soper as J , and six others for a Chapter to be attached to tho Bedford Lodge , No . 157 , London , to be called the " Bedford Chapter , " and to meet at tho Freemasons' Hall , London . 5 th . From Companions Georgo Tidcombe as Z , William Stephens as H , Henry Lovegrove as J , and six others for a Chapter to be

attached to the Abereorn Lodge , No . 1549 , Great Stanmore , to be called the " Stanmore Chapter , " and to meet afc tho Abereorn Arms , Great Stanmore , in the County of Middlesex . Theso Petitions being in all respects regular , the Committee recommend that the prayers thereof be respectively granted .

( Signed ) JOHN CREATON , Treasurer , President . Freemasons' Hall , London , W . C . 21 st April 1880 ,, Election of the Committee of General Purposes for the ensuing twelve months .