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ROYAL ARCH .

— : o : — CONSECRATION : VICTORIAN CHAPTER .

THE little , quaint , old-fashioned village of Eainham , in Essex , was the scene of an important Masonic ceremony on Monday , when Comp . F . A . Philbrick Grand Superintendent of the Province and several other Provincial Officers and Companions journeyed thither , to consecrate the latest additiou to the roll of Essex Chapters .

Comp . Philbrick was assisted by Comps . A . G . Hayman Prov . G \ H ., W . Ernest Dring Past Provincial H ., T . J . Balling Past G . Sw . B . Prov . G . S . E ., A . Lucking P . A . G . D . C . Prov . G . D . C . and E . S . Gushing . Among others present were Comps . William Shurmur P . P . G . J ., F . H . Meggy P . P . G . A . S ., H . C . Jones , John

Knight Prov . G . R ., H . Dehane Prov . G . P . S ., A . Vanderword Prov . G . A-D . C ., C . H . Canning P . Z . 1472 , J . J . Harvey P . P . G . J ., E . Clowes P . G . St . B . P . P . G . H ., Francis A . White P . P . G . J ., John J . C . Turner P . P . G . J ., J . Savage P . Z . 1472 , N . Goodchild P . Z . 704 , George Gowell P . P . G . S . N ., F . J . Eedle P . Z . 141 , H .

Jenkins P . Z . 860 , H . Ffrench Bromhead Z . 2501 , J . E . Carter S . E . 2501 , W . M . Butcher P . Z . 174 , James Pinder Prov . G . A . S ., F . Spencer Guy Prov . Asst . S . E ., Eichard Poore P . P . G . D . C , C . W . Eaymond 1716 , Orlton Cooper 1928 , C . Dearing P . Z . 813 , C . Weeden P . Z . 813 , George Wyatt 1275 , and many others .

The Chapter having been opened by the Grand Principals the Companions were admitted , when the Grand J . gave the introductory prayer . The Grand Superintendent then addressed the Companions . He said : our meeting to-day is a mark of the progress of the

Lodge with which the new Chapter is to be connected , and of the attachment of its members to their Masonic obligations , for if you refer to the first pages of the Book of Constitutions you will see that pure Ancient Masonry consists of three degrees and no more , the Entered Apprentice , the Fellow Craft , and the

Master Mason , including the Supreme Order of the Holy Eoyal Arch . Eight years have elapsed since the Royal Victorian Jubilee Lodge was consecrated , and when the petition for this Chapter came before me I was glad to recommend it for favourable consideration . I could not fail to observe how well the Lodge

had worked since its establishment , and had come , after due deliberation , to the opinion that the Companions were well entitled to their Charter , which has now been granted by the Supreme Grand Chapter . These occasions are always interesting , and the present suggests two matters to my mind . We are

met in the year of Grace 1895 ; a hundred years ago , in 1795 , Brother Dnnckerley , a reputed son of George II ., was Provincial Grand Master of Essex , and had he been privileged to witness the meeting to-day , his heart would be glad to see how the cause he had loved so much had increased and multiplied . Bro .

Dunckerley was Master of thirteen Lodges . The Victorian Chapter waa the thirteenth on the Roll of the Province . That number is usually considered unlucky , but I can assure you it

is a singularly lucky number in the Craft and Arch . I do not yield to any other Province for good working of the ritual , and I feel that the new Chapter will prove a strong and faithful exponent of Eoyal Arch Masonry .

The Companions then signified their approval of the Principals mentioned in the Charter , after which Companion Hayman delivered the following Oration : It is not without much misgiving that I find myself called upon to deliver the customary Oration at the formation of this

Eoyal Arch Chapter . The fact that I am dealing with a subject BO rich in interest and material , and so pure and elevated in tone , as Freemasonry , would feign lead me to ask your most indulgent reception of the necessarily scant and brief remarks I shall venture to offer .

The interesting and solemn occasion in which we participate to-day , naturally leads us reverently to contemplate the sublime basis upon which our stupendous Order rests , to consider the influences and golden attributes which contribute to its stability ,

and demonstrate its usefulness , and the obligations—the qualities of mind and heart—which are incumbent upon all those who , being Master Masons , are seeking to complete their Masonic edifice by proceeding to the higher degree of the Eoyal Arch .

However beautiful and graceful other degrees may be , the Boyal Arch must ever be the very climax and cap-stone of the Order , for it deals with , a theme which is before all other themes , the contemplation of Him who was , and is , and shall be , the same from everlasting to everlasting—all creation being dependent on His Almighty will . The religious principles on which the mighty Order rests are doubtless in the first instance common with that universal

craving for a knowledge of God which has affected devout men in every age and every sphere ; and it is this humble recognition of the Most High in the working of His Divine purposes which constitutes us members of the same mystic fold , by acknowledging

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the one supreme Creator and God whose triune attributes are infinite , omnipotent and omnipresent . Freemasonry has had many subtle enemies within and

without , alike among the cultured and the ignorant ; her ceremonies have been denounced as trifling and profane , and her organisation as dangerous . Yet because of her sublime original , in face of all opposition , the sun of Masonry shines with unabated

vigour . The virtues which we profess , and which so materially contribute to the stability of our Order— morality , benevolence , charity , justice , truth and loyalty—are the natural outcome of these religious principles , so closely allied the one to the other

as to be beyond our power of divorce . I cannot here dwell on the cosmopolitan character of our principles in teaching , but we cannot forget that it is deep enough to furnish fields of research for the studious , and broad enough to admit a membership of nearly two millions of our fellow creatures , speaking every

language known to the civilised world . Men of the first rank of intellect and ability have directed their researches to the history of our mysteries and to the various studies of astronomical , chemical , and moral science which are elucidated and enunciated in our ceremonies and teaching—whilst the humblest

who may enter the sacred portals of this august degree , with fitting reverence , and ponder its meanings and mysteries , cannot but find an incentive to cultivate his intellectual faculties , as well as to model his life by the sacred dictates of morality and religion . To those who follow her teachings , and who seek for

true knowledge , she offers ever new results , and incentives to the praise and adoration of the Great Architect of the Universe . Not opposed to Christianity , as some would think , but rather as

the handmaid of religion , she pursues the even tenor of her way content with doing good , deriving the lessons she expounds in morality , wisdom , ancl charity , from a source which can utter no uncertain sound—the Volume of the Sacred Law .

Thus , by a proper study of Masonry , we may learn our duty to God and man . And lastly , will you permit me to refer to our obligations as Masons and their special bearing upon us on such an auspicious occasion as the present . The occasion of our convocation is a

matter of congratulation to you , Most Excellent , as the Grand Superintendent of the Province , as well as for the Founders of the Chapter . Let us make the Victorian Chapter worthy of our ancient Institution , worthy of the Province , and of each other .

It is feared by some ( speaking of Masons generally ) that there is a tendency to endanger the dignity—and thereby the stability and usefulness—of our Order , by opening her sacred portals too widely , or without a due discrimination and searching enquiry . Alas that this should ever be so . As to

those whose object is to seek their own selfish advantage—by whom our sacred mysteries are but lightly esteemed , their solemn obligations but faintly realised , or those who by any excess , or want of self-restraint in word or act , are apt to encourage a flippant criticism of our sacred mysteries , or to

bring discredit on our social recreations—of such Masonry can well afford to be without . Our strength does not consist in numbers ; and our responsibilities to our solemn obligations , and to each other , are alike individual and collective . As has been

truly said , " The strength of a noble edifice is estimated not by the size of its buttresses , or the number of its towers and arches , but by the solidity of its foundations , the quality of its material , and the workmanship bestowed upon it .

Let us not forget that in assisting in the inauguration of this Chapter we are adding another to our obligations to exemplify the tenets of our sublime teaching . It enjoins us by diligence and fidelity in the duties of our respective stations , by constancy and sincerity in our friendships , by a liberal and

diffusive charity , and by a blameless life , to show what happy and beneficial effects flow from our ancient and honourable Institution . I cannot find more fitting words to close this

address than in the charge so familiar . to you : — " be all of one mind , and live in peace with each other , and may the most High God delight to dwell among you and bless you for evermore . "

The Anthem , taken from Psalm cxxxni , was then sung by the vocalists , and the Dedication Prayer was delivered , Comp . Philbrick following with the beautiful Invocation . The altar

was uncovered and the candles lighted , and the ceremony ol consecration took place . The Grand Superintendent then dedicated the Chapter to the service of the Almighty , and the pious memory of the three Grand Originals .

The Chapter being constituted , Companions Charles Joliyj Thomas Eingrose , and John George Hammond were installed as Z ., H . and J . respectively . The following Officers were also

invested ;—F . J . Eedle Treasurer , William Harvey S . E ., Edward 0 . Talbot P . S ., Joseph Cohen and J . Block A . S ., H . Dow White D . C , G . Brown S ., and Ives Janitor . In addition to those mentioned the following are the Founders of the Chapter : —Wm . 0 . Pritchard , G . J . Garland , M ., A . Blest ,