The Quarterly Courts.

for a Special General Court to bo called , to confirm the above resolution , for Thursday , the 12 th inst ., at four p . m ., so that the next Qnartorly Court maybe held in conformity with the resolution . The Court subsequently considered and adopted tho following recommendation of the General Committee : —

" That the 15 candidates remaining from the last election , together with the 10 whose petitions havo been since approved , bo placed on tho list of candidates for tho April ilociion , and that l !) vacancies caused by tho girls leaving bo declared . " A voto of thanks to the Chairman closed tho proceedings .

Supreme Grand Chapter.

SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER .

THB Quarterly Convocation was held on Wednesday last , at Freemasons' Hall . Comp . W . W . Beach , M . P .,

presided , and was supported by Comp . F . A . Philbrick , Q . C , and Col . Robert Townley as G . H . and G . J . respectively . Comp . Beach , in bringing the recommendation to the notice of those present , said : —Companions , the first

business on the agenda paper is for me to make a motion on behalf of the First Grand Principal , which I am quite sure will be most acceptable to Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons . It will be in the remembrance of the Companions that at the last meeting of Grand Lodge the rank of Past Grand Master was conferred on the

Duke of Connaught and Strathearn . It is now proposed to confer the rank of Past First Grand Principal on his Royal Highness , and I am certain thafc is a

compliment that will be merited and that it will be conferred in the most hearty manner by Royal Arch Masons . Since his first entrance into Freemasonry the Duke of Connaught has taken the most active interest in the welfare of

the Craft . At the installation of the Prince of Wales as Grand Master the Duke of Connaught was a simple Master Mason , but he has by great exertion since ascended to high position in our Order . He has attended many meetings , he has taken an active interest in all that

is going on in Masonry , and ho has served the offices which entitle him to tbe highest rank in the Craft . I can testify from my own knowledge that the Duke of Connaught has been some time resident in tbe Province of Hampshire , and there in two parts of that Province he has

attended Masonic gatherings , and has taken an active interest in Freemasonry . It is well knowu that whatever tho Duke of Connaught sets himself to he follows up with energy and ability , and fortunately for us we may say that the Order is one to which he has devoted himself .

Ho has become a most able and zealous brother among ns . After taking great interest in Freemasonry in England , he was appointed to the rank of Provincial Grand Master of Sussex . His duties then called him away to a distant part of the world , and in India he

did not relax his interest in Freemasonry . Ho was appointed to high , position there , and as Firsfc Grand Principal of Bombay he displayed the greatest ability , and took the greatest interest in the welfare of tbe Craft . Since his return to this country he has already shown the

deepest interest in our Craffc , and I feel certain that when this motion is carried , and I am sure it will be , it will be cheerfully accepted by you , the representatives of Royal Arch Masonry throughout the conntry . It is well

deserved and well merited . I have great pleasure in moving that the rank of Pasfc Firsfc Grand Principal be conferred on H . R . H . the Duke of Connaught and Strathearn , K . G .

Comp . Philbrick seconded the proposition , and ifc was carried unanimously , and amidst cheers , and it was agreed that the insignia of the office be presented to His Royal Highness .

The report of the Committee of General Purposes , as printed by us last week , was then taken as read , received and ordered to be entered on the minutes . This completed tho business , and Grand Chapter was closed .

Temperance Lodges.

TEMPERANCE LODGES .

IN a recent issue we reported the opening of the Henry B . Loch Lodge at Beaconsfield , a Masonic event which we regard as being one of the greatest importance to South African Masonry . Not only is the Lodge in

question established on temperance principles , and the first of its kind in this part of tbe world , but it is likewise the firsfc class Lodge of any kind established among us . South

Temperance Lodges.

Africa boing a land of small communities , room has , not yet beon found for the formation of Lodges representing ' special professions , classes , or forms of amusement . And yet the formation of snch Lodges has proceeded apace in England . Nofc only has almost every profession or calling erected its

own Lodge , bufc Masonic bodies have been largely formed amongst brethren holding temperance views , and oven such pursuits as rowing , music , and cycling , have launched their own separate Masonic barques , whilst the number of Lodges hailing from special colleges , schools , and

Volunteer regiments , is legion . Opinion in the Old Country is somewhat divided as to whether tho extraordinary multiplication of class Lodges is a blessing or tho reverse . Some think that it is valuable as reinforcing Masonic ties by links which are already tolerably strong in themselves , and

that it thus brings into the Craft many mon of the right sort , who feeling thoroughly afc homo inside with those who are their fellows without , may be relied upon to do thorough Masomc work . Many , on the ofcher hand , urge that class Lodges are apt to become narrow professional

cliques or to sink to the level of social clubs , and that the broad mingling of men with men , which is one of the great objects of Freemasonry , thereby fails of attainment . Much may be said on both sides , but at any rate the class Lodge is un fait accompli in English Masonic polity , and has in

the expressive American vernacular , " como to stay . And further , even if we grant that the Lodge founded on similarity of professional pursuits or the membership of some particular Alma Mater is apt to become very narrow , and perhaps merely social exclusiveness nnder another

name , the temperance Lodge stands on a different footing altogether , and hardly one of the arguments urged against the ordinary class Lodge can be fairly brought up where it is concerned . Total abstinence men are drawn from every class of society , high and low , and from every possible

professional calling . They represent neither social class , religious creed , nor political faction , and Lodges composed of such men have surely no tendency whatever to become in any sense narrow or exclusive . The difference of opinion as to the use or non-use of alcoholic liquors , is one affecting

a practice permeating every detail of social and domestic life , and Freemasonry , as a social institution , cannot altogether ignore it . This section includes thousands of mosfc valuable actual and potential Craftsmen , and their views must be respected . We cannot ignore the fact that

total abstainers do very often find themselves just a little de trop at an ordinary Masonic banquet , and thafc they are sometimes led thereby to discountenance Masonic festivities , a result altogether regrettable , because Masonio refreshment is in it way , just as useful as Masonic labour . Ifc is

but reasonable to suppose that such brethren would , if the social board were deprived of what they , rightly or wrongly , regard as a dangerous element , support festive gatherings much more than they do—in fact , we are told thafc temperance Lodges in England go in very largely for

enjoying themselves . And there is another consideration in favour of the temperance Lodges , and that is that they give a disclaimer , which he who runs may read , to the utterly unjust but still largely current idea that Masonic Lodges are drinking organisations . We know perfectly

well that there is less intemperance at Masonic dinners than afc any other similar gatherings , but outside people very often will persist in thinking otherwise , and the temperance Lodge will emphatically convict them of error , and will , wo feel certain , attract to our ranks many men who are still

dubiously halting on the threshold . We had an instance of this only a few days ago . In casual conversation with a well known and highly popular gentleman belonging to the town in which these lines are written , we happened to mention that the first Temperance Masonic Lodge in South

Africa had just been formed . He at once said , " Really , if ever such a Lodgo is formed within reach of me , I shall become a Freemason . " Now this gentleman has again and again been mentioned amongst local Masons as one whom we shonld all like to call one of us . His remarks point out

the utility of providing a Masonic abode for those who hold absolute views on the alcohol question . Bufc temperance Lodges should be formed with care . As a rule their only proper place is alongside some general Lodge . They should not try to monopolise the Masonic field . And

no true brother will ever allow them to degenerate into mere proselytising agencies , such work , albeit praiseworthy enough , being outside the scope of Freemasonry . But wifch snitable restrictions , we cordially advocate tho formation of temperance Lodges . —South African Freemason .