Supreme Grand Chapter.

to bring it before Grand Chapter with the view of making tho alteration which was named in tho recommendation , viz ., that rule 73 should be altered , and rule 74 expunged , and he moved accordingly . Comp . Henry Garrod seconded . This was a matter ho

had for many years thought of . The time that a Master Mason had to wait before he was entitled to take tho Royal Arch degree had been too long , and the many Companions ho had spoken to all agreed that the time should be shortened , and if it wero it would be for the benefit of the Royal Arch .

Comp . Richard Eve P . G . T . agreed thafc fcho alteration would bo desirable , and would conduce to the bsnefifc of tho Royal Arch . Comp . Geo . J . McKay felt that tho proposition had been

sprung upon the Companions , and that it was premature . He could not say as the President had said that it would he approved by Companions throughout all England . He had been in communication with several Provinces and

there had not been a word spoken about it . He thought the Provinces ought to have an ^ opportunity of expressing an opinion . With respect to his own feelings in tho matter , he was disposed fo take a middle course , and make it threo months . He thought this would be more dignified ,

and would act eqnilly woll with regard to tho welfare and prosperity of this degree , which they all had afc heart . Comp . C . N . Mclntyre North M . E . Z . 1725 thought it would be a most undesirable thing to alter the rule as

proposed . Rule 74 provided sufficient opportunity in caso an emergency arose , and some brother who had distinguished himself by his zeal for the Craffc desired to be exalted to the degree of Royal Arch Mason .

Comp . E . Letchworth G . S . E . : No , that is abroad , in tbe Colonies only . Comp . C . N . Mclntyre North said with regard to this country , he thought it was undesirable . By the innovation a man could be made a Royal Arch Mason in three months ,

when he had not had time or opportunity to make himself acquainted with the ritual of the Craft ; therefore ho was not a fit man to be exalted into the Royal Arch . Imagine a man being present as having exercised himself in the capacity of a Master Mason for four weeks and upwards

and being entrusted with a pass word leading to the degree . He was convinced they were proposing to make an alteration which at last Convocation they said should not be , and thoy placed themselves in this position of admitting an undisciplined lot of brethren to an equality with enthusiastic members . It would not add to tbe

dignity of the Order . He believed the M . E . Z . in this country had the power to grant his dispensation for any thing . All thafc was necessary was to make the Rule 74-,

which at present applies to the Colonies , apply to this country . If a brother had not the patience to wait 12 months for the degree , he was not fit to belong to . the Royal Arch .

Comp . tho Rev . J . S . Brownrigg objected to its being said that this recommendation had been sprung upon Grand Chapter . Every Grand Officer had had a copy of tho agenda paper . Comp . G . J . McKay said ifc was sent to tho Prov . Grand Scribes E .

Comp . the Rev . J . S . Brownrigg said every one who was entitled had it on tho Thursday previously . It reached all of them in time , and it could not have been said to be sprung upon them . They had to deal not with an ideal state of affairs , bat with the real . His experiences in the

provinces was that Royal Arch Masonry was not flourishing . If fchey wanted proof , lefc them look around them . He would ask whether thc assembly in Grand Chapter that night represented Royal Arch Masonry in England . He was quite certain there would be a great revival of thc

Order if fche time were shortened to four weeks , He did not think they were better Masons at tho end of 12 months than three months . They musfc nofc judge of things as they

wished them to be but as they were . From what ho sawin the provinces the Order was languishing , because men could not take the degree when the fervour was on them , and they regretted they could not take it earlier .

Comp . the Rov . C . > V . Spencer Stanhope said the matter had come upon hira suddenly . If he had not seen Grand Scribe E . he would nofc have heard of ifc . No matter what

the feeling of all tlie different provinces was , he thought the matter should be adjourned for three months , and that a Committee should bo appointed to draw up a report upon it , and he would move accordingly . i

Supreme Grand Chapter.

Comp . Major Richardson M . E . Z 2029 and 1929 P . Z . 141 seconded . He did nofc think there would be any gain to Royal Arch Masonry by the proposition of the Committee . Thero ivere things which might b 3 to fcho ndvantage of it , but his experience was that young Masons wanted

to rush on , and wished to get into the chair by baing Masters of Lodges . Ho thought it would ba a great advantage if tho H . and J . chairs were permissible toba filled by Wardens . The proposition before Grand Chapter was calculated to mike tho Roy . il Arch too cheap . He had

seen Fomething of this in other Orders to which he belonged . It was not a gain , but quite the other way ; ifc made the thing toi common , and he thought ; that would be the result in this Order . Ho was inclined to oppose fche proposal ou theso grounds .

Comp . W . A . Scurrah Z . 22 t 9 said ho had some little experience of Royal Arch Masonry , as he belonged to three Chapters , two iti London and one in the Provinces . In two of those Chapters he know how difficult it was to get candidates . When Royal Arch Masonry was spoken

of to Masons they said , " Well , about a mouth after I was mado a Master Mason I took the Mark Degree , ani then the Allied Degrees and other Degrees , and I havo been at some considerable expense in Masonry , and now at twelve months I do nofc feel I can afford to go further into tho

Order . " Whereas if the rule was thafc they could be made Royal Arch Masons in four weeks sifter they were made Master Masons there would be a large number of candidates , and why shonld they be kept twelve months ? They were told when they took the Royal Arch degree

that perhaps they imagined they had taken a fourth degree in Freemasonry , but such was not the case , it was only tho M . M . degree completed ; and why , he would again ask , should the Master Mason wait twelve months to

have his degree completed ? He bad only fco wait four weeks after taking the first degree before he took the second , and four weeks before he took the Master Mason ' s dep-ree . He was convinced if this alteration was made

thoy would have a large number of candidates for Royal Arch Masonry and the Royal Arch would then be what it should be . He was sure all the Companions if they seriously considered the matter would think this proposal was a wise one and should be carried oufc .

Comp . Robert Grey said he wished Grand Chapter distinctly to understand after what had fallen from the Companions as to this notice boing sprung upon Grand Chapter that such an idea was furthest from tho thoughts of the Committee . They were perfectly indifferent whether tbat

recommendation was carried that day or that day three months . Himself and his colleagues recommenced it , and notice of the meeting of tho Supreme Grand Chapter was given to every ono , wifch tho exception of tho Companion from Cheshire ( the Rev . 0 . W . Spencer Stanhope ) , who

said he had not had it . Bufc ifc was , notwithstanding , given with fche view of eliciting opinions , and they thought ifc ojuld have bronght them there to give vent to their feelings ; but , distinctly , tho Committee had no feeling in the matier except what they considered would be tor the good of Royal Arch Masonrv .

Comp . Clement Godson , M . D ., Graud Sword Bearer wished merely to say tbat if Grand Chapter adopted the principle proposed they would be following tho working of Scotland . Ho was made a Master Mason in Aberdaon

some years ago with several others , and they all procee led to take the Royal Arch Degree . Every one did , naturally , and they found ifc worked admirably .

Comp . George J . McKay said' ifc was with profound regret ho remembered he used the words " sprung upon them . " What he wished to say was thafc they had nofc had sufficient notico .

Comp . Col . Tow nicy Caldwell then read tbe motion and the amendment , aud on putting the amendment , 19 Cornpinions voted for it ; thoso against ifc wore much more numerous . The original motion was then put and carried , and Grand Chapter was closed .

A great chrysanthemum fete is to be held at tho Royal Aquarium ¦ on tho 7 th , 8 th , nnd O . h inst ., under the auspices of the National Chrysanthemum Society .

Ar00602

DEATH . STEVENS . —On the 31 st ultimo , at tho residence of hor son , Evelyn , Catfovcl , S . K ., UAHBIKTM . VUI . S , widow of the late Mr . JAMES STEVEIM , formerly o £ 1 'lymoath , nad mother o : ' Uro . JAES HIX