Royal Arch.

afterwards arose , initiated by Comp . Beach , with reference to the exclusion of Companions from Chapters dnring tbe opening ceremony . This led to a suggestion that the ritual of the Royal Arch should be revised , which was objected to by

Comp . Thomas Fenn , who upheld the present system of opening Chapters as carrying oub the object for which it was designed—the greater dignity of the Installed Principals . The subject , Lowover , dropped , aud the Grand Chapter was closed .

Royal Ark Masonry.

ROYAL ARK MASONRY .

. u . LECHMERE LODGE , No . 59 .

AGAIN ifc ia onr pleasing duty to record a most successfnL-nieeting of Boyal Ark Masons , attached to the Lechmere Lodge of Mark Maater Mason ? , No . 59 , at Worcester . Only four months ngo we reported a meeting of fche same Lodge , when abont twenty M . M . M . hailing from Dudley were elevated to thia Chapter . Now a similar number , hailing from Birmingham , anxious to take the degree journeyed to Worcester on Friday , the 27 th nit ., when a Eoyal Ark

Mariners Lodge was opened . Among fche brethren of the Worcester Lodge fco greet the visitors on their arrival were the Right Worshipful Brother A . F . Godson , M . P . ( the Provincial Grand Mark Master ) , and fche following Pasfc Commanders : —Brothers Major W . B . Williamson , T . Lamb Smith , E . 0 . Smith Caringfcoo , Henry Rowe , and Murray Haynes ( representative of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICX ** :

besides several brethren from Dudley . The candidates in attendance were as follows : —Brothers Kev . Trevor Parkins , B . A ., Pasfc Grand Chaplain , Deputy Provincial Grand Muster Warwickshire ; Felix Jones P . M . 174 P . P . G . W ., William P . Hoskins Senior Deacon 174 , Samuel Jenkins Worshipful Master 318 P . P . G . D . Staffordshire , Lloyd Owen W . M . Howe Lodge , T . I ., Grand Steward Provincial

Grand Treasnrer , Robert Barton Morgan P . M . 115 P . P . G . S . W . Chaplain 115 , Thomaa Eowbotham W . M . 430 S . O . 115 P . P . G . Snpfc . Works , Edward Mallard P . M . 430 W . M . 115 P . G . Regr . of Marks , William Hillman P . M . 115 P . P . G . M . O ., Walter Glover 430 J . W . 115 P . G . J . O ., Howard Jennings Registrar of Marks 115 P . G . Steward , Frederick Edward "VTottis Secretary 115 D . C . 430 Birmingham , John

Alfred Dexter S . O . 430 S . D . 174 P . G . I . G ., Thomas Henry Pearce S . D . 430 , Walter Herbert Rollason Steward 115 , Jabez Attwood M . O . 115 P . G . Standard Bearer , Arthnr George Boys 430 , William George Smith J . D . 174 , Joseph Candelent P . M . 318 . The above named brethren will be the foanders of a new Lodge at Birmingham . The Lodge room presented a very animated appearance . It is

handsomely furnished , and many banners are displayed round the room . The Lodge waa duly opened by Bro . Abraham Green the W . C , and after the confirmation of fche minntes and other routine bnsiness , the candidates were prepared and admitted . The ceremony of elevation was performed by Bro . Murray Haynes P . C . N . Afterwarda Brother Abraham Green resumed the chair , and a Board nf six installed

Commanders waa formed . Thereupon Bro . Thomas Frederick Bland fche W . C . N , elect was presented to be enthroned , and a dispensation for that purpose from Grand Lodge having been read by the Scribe and ordered to be entered on the minutes , the ceremony of enthrone , ment was performed by Bro . Abraham Green in a very able manner . Upoi the re-admission of the brethren fche W . C . N , waa sainted in

ancient form , and a procession formed . The W . C . N , then appointed and invested his new Officers for the year , and after the transaction of other bnsiness tbo Lodge was closed in harmony . The brethren then adjourned to banqnet , where tbe usual Loyal and Masonio toasts were given . The Prov . G . M . M . M . Bro . A . F . Godson , M . P ., in responding for the present and past members of the Royal Ark

Council , expressed hia pleasure in witnessing the ' eontinual increase of members taking this degree , and heartily welcomed the brethren from Warwickshire and Staffordshire who had attended an Worcester in order fco qualify themselves to petition for a Royal Ark Lodge to beheld afc Birmingham . Bro . Edward Mallard responded for the

newly-elevated brethren , and explained the earnest desire of the Mark Masons in his Province of Warwickshire to extend the working of this beautiful degree . A most enjoyable evening was spont , the banqnet waa snperb , the wines unequalled , and every one present ; had a happy time . We shall look forward with pleasure to the consecration of tho now Lodge in Birmingham early in the spring .

The West Lancashire Masonic Educational Institution.

THE WEST LANCASHIRE MASONIC EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION .

THE financial statement of this Charity which will be presented to the meeting of the Courfc of Governors at an early d--i . shows that the balance last year was £ 6118 . The receipts from the ball -were £ 452 ; and from donations and subscriptions from Lodges , Chapters , & c , £ 1065 , which , with lessor items , gave a total of £ 1633 , while the income from interest account waa £ 767 . The

sum of £ 300 had been paid on account of mortgage on the Masonio Half , the gross total income for the year reaching £ 3339 . A sum of £ 1572 had been paid during 1802 for the

edncacation , clothing , maintenance , nnd advancement of children on the foundation , and £ 211 as one year ' s proportion of the cost of nine presentations to certain institutions where the children are fully maintained , clothed , and educated .

Devon And Cornwall Freemasons' Club.

DEVON AND CORNWALL FREEMASONS' CLUB .

THE fifth annual meeting of shareholders in the Devon and Corn - wall Freemasons' Hall and Club Company was held on Monday , 30 th ult ., at the club . Brother J . R . Lord , Chairman of Directors , presided , and the other Directors present were Bros . J . B . Gover , W . Allsford , D . Cross , J . W . Cornish , C . H . Cooper , J . Wallis , J . Leonard , B . H . Littleton , and A . Roberts . There was also a large

attendance of shareholders . The directors reported a steady increase for the year and a larger income than heretofore . They had been ablo to spend a considerable sum in decorating the Lodge-rooms , whioh had g iven satisfaction to the brethren ; had paid a dividend of 3 per cent , on the preference shares , and recommended a dividend of 3 per cent , on the ordinary shares , carrying forward a substantial balance .

They were perfectly satisfied wifch the admirable management of Bro . S . Harvey , Mrs . Harvey , and their staff , and also with Brother Phillips' arrangements for the Lodges and entertainments . Tho directors who retired by rotation were Bros . R . Cawsey , C . H . Cooper , J . W . Cornish , and C . S . Stebbiog . Brother Cawsey did nofc seek re-election , and the directors nominated for fche vacancy in

fche directorate Bro . John Goad S . W . 70 . The only amendment on the report came from Bro . Gibbons , who nt first thought thafc a dividend of 5 per cent ; , on fche ordinary shares might be recommended . He pointed onfc thafc thero was sufficient money iu hand to pay thafc dividend , and still leave a substantial balance . Bro . Harvey sapported the amendment , believing that a 5 per cent , dividend would

result in a large number of tbe unallotted shares being taken np . The Chairman explained thafc fche matter bad been fully considered by the directors , and although the olub and hall were both doing admirably well , they thought it more prudent to divide three per cent , than to give a larger dividend . This view was taken by several , shareholders , and Bro . Gibbona eventually withdrew hia amendment

and the report was adopted . Bro . Gibbons was re-elected auditor . On the motion of Bro . J . Kinton Bond , seconded by Bro . fche Rev . Dr . Lemon , Bros . Cooper , Cornish , aud Stabbing were re-elected directors , and on the nomination of the Chairman , Bro . J . Goad was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Bro . Cawsey . Bro . J . Kinton Bond , in proposing a vote of thanks to the directors , heartily

congratulated them on tho success of their efforts during the past ; year , and on the excellent position into which they had brought the company . It seemed to be prospering in all its departments . Tht comfort and the convenience of Lodges , as well as of individual members , wera always consulted , and the result was thafc fche brethren generally took a warm personal interest in the club . Brother S . Jew seconded the motion , which was carried unanimously .

Tho auditors were thanked for their services , on the motion of Brother Harvey , seconded by Brother P . Clemens . A similar compliment was paid to the Secretary , Brother W . H . Dillon , on fche motion of Brother C . Mufcten , seconded by Brother Captain Reynolds , both of whom bore toatimony to the zeal and energy which Brother Dillon always displayed in tho discharge of duties whioh required both tact and discretion . Brother D . Cross moved a cordial vote of

thanks to the clnb Steward , Brother S . Harvey , and also to Mrs . Harvey , for the thoroughly excellent manner in which they discharged their responsible duties . It was , he said , impossible to thank them too highly for the personal interest they took in the olub . They devoted their whole time to ifc , and he knew thafc the members generally had a very high appreciation of their courtesy

and attention afc all times . Tho shareholders , he knew , would agree with bim that a great deal of the success of the club was dne fco Brother and Mrs . Harvey for their excellent management . Tbey enj iyed tho full confidence of fche directors , and he was sure , also , that they enjoyed the confidence of the shareholders and members afc large . Brother Stanbury seconded

fche motion , which was carried unnnimonsly , and Brother S . Harvey briefly returned thanks . On tho motion of Bro . J . Rendle , seconded by Brother Maitland , the Chairman was tbaaked for presiding . Before the meeting separated , Brother Dr . Lemon asked the Chairman's acceptance of a very handsome aneroid barometer and thermometer , to bo hung in the hall of the olub , Tbo Chairman , on

behalf of tbo members generally , thanked Dr . Lemon for this further manifestation of his great interest in Freemasonry , and assured him thafc the gift wonld be highly valued by the members afc large . The barometer bears two silver gilt plates , upon one of which is the inscription : — " Plymouth Freemasons' Club , " and on the other , * " Presented by W . Bro . the Rev , Dr . Lemon P . P . G . J . W ., & c , 1893 . "

Liverpool Masonic Hall Committee.

LIVERPOOL MASONIC HALL COMMITTEE .

THE annual meeting of this committee was held on fche 27 th ulfc ., afc tbe Mnsonic Hall , Hope Street , Liverpool , the chairman ( Bro . Beesloy P . M . 823 ) pro-riding over a numerous gathering . The annual report presented by Bro . J . H . Tyson P . M . 1182 , Honorary Treasnrer , stated that the iiccoants of the past year showed total receipts of £ 803 2 a 2 d , and payments £ 895 16 s 6 d , or £ 92 14 a 4 d

more than the receipts . T ^ o mortgage on the hall had been reduced to £ 2200 , and the interest paid out in the year reduced to £ 90 . Tho amount for repoiis and alterations was £ 143 15 s lid , against £ 38 10 s 5 d in the previous yoar , much having in this respect beeu done that ifc was expected will avoid outlay again , and attention thns

given fco other nrgo it matt' rs . Pho changes made by instructions of the hall committee indicate that considerable saving will result , there being so far a saving of abont £ 27 in wages aud a few pounds in gas . Tbe anwnnr , of tho honse account was increased , but £ 10 of the increase was for telephone rent , towards which £ 5 had been

recoivwi from tbo cl . ib . Th-j report wns adopted . Bro . D . Jackson P . M . 673 was unanimously olt-cted Chairman of the Honse Committee , Bros . W . B . Swcefcman P . M . 1505 Vice-Chairman , J . II . Tyson was re-elected Hon . Treasurer , and T . J . Jarman P . M . 1325 Hon . Secreta-y . A . Committee of 21 membera was subsequentl y elected , and tho proceedings closed with the usual vote of thanks .