The Royal Arch.

formed into various branches , and now stands forth with its banners unfurled and thrown to tho wind , bearing the old Egyptian symbols , to proclaim to tbe world its charities—its beneficionces . It has garnered under its mantle all that is valuable of the past , and is ever ready to accept that of the present which can conduce to the happi . ness and comfort of all who enlist under its banners .

Tho Royal Arch Mason can deduce from Avhafc I have said , that we hold the most useful and valuable of the past , and ignore that which is worthless . We believe in the Ono Ever Living and Eternal GOD ; we convey our lessons by those symbols which tend to His glory , without oppressing the minds or fears of our postulants , and wo hold sacred that Charity Avhich is neither sounding brass nor tinkling

cymbals . Tho fanatic may denounce us ; tho sore and disappointed may condomn us ; tbe ignorant may vilify and abuse us ; tho renegade expose our work ; our members may become careless ; but Gon Avho has been our guide and our strength will be our tower and support , and Royal Arch Masonry , in whatever form it is practised , will flourish , until

it gathers into its sanctums all who can understand and appreciate that that Great Name , in all its awful brevity , hath nought unholy breeding it , but both bless rather tho tongue that uses it . For me , I ask no higher office than to fling my spirit at His feet , and cry His name , GOD ! through all eternity , and bless the day wherein I first beheld tho Light of Masonry .

In conclusion , I Avould direct the kind attention of my dear Companions to tho fact that wo must not take the flattering unctiou to our souls that we are tho only repositories of Freemasonry , Holy Royal Arch Masonry , or any exclusive portion of Masonry . Royal Arch Masonry , as alleged by Laurence Dermott in 1754 , was not a new idea . He emasculated the Master Masons degree so as to form

tbe new degree , as up to that time the Master Mason received it as the completion to tho Third degree , Avhere it really lawfnll y belonged . ArchsBologists in Masonry assert that the " Arch degree" was brought from Palestine by the Crusaders , and was sed in Templar Masonry very long anterior to the new system under Dermott . And it seems to be well understood by those who have given the subject a

careful consideration that the Royal Arch degree has assumed four different epochs so far as its relation and connection with modern Masonry is concerned . Tho founders of these sublime systems had history both from tbe Egyptians and Jews for their guides and predicates . And it will possibly surprise my Companions who read this when I say , that ere another year rolls round new developments may reach their ears in connection therewith .

A student in Chinese is burning the midni ght taper and poring over Chinese chronicles of ancient date , which are disclosing the fact that the ancient Chinese , long anterior to Confncius , had " Masonrv , with the use of the very symbols we have in our rituals . They had tbe square , compass and level , it is said , even before the Egyptians , and for the same purposes as we as Speculative Masons use them ! and , to this day point with pride to the fact that they knew the father of the sun .

Most Eminent Grand High Priest Marvin , of Minnesota , impressed nSB ^ so forcibly in his remarks recently given to his Grand Chapter , that ^ I take pleasure in closing this article , in endorsing his sentiments , feeling that my dear Companions will bo pleased with them , aud probably be benefited thereby . He paid , " Many societies and orders have been formed in all ages Avhich have had a precarious

and ephemeral existence , Avhose names are even scarcely known and have passed into oblivion because they were founded on selfish and corrupt principles . But such societies as the Ancient Craft and Capitular Brotherhood can never perish so long as they recognize the Divine Master and human brother in all they do and teach admitting all within the fold , of whatever nation or people under the

sun , Avho will sincerely yield assent to these two great truths ; but to guard well the portals of our Lodge-rooms against the introduction of the selfish , the vile and the base , to insure a permanency that shall last as long as any institntion Avhich man may create . " This , my dear Companions , is but the echo of the sentiment I have always expressed , and naught is left for Capitular Masons to do but

to at all times reflect that GOD is with us always , blessing Masonry , because it is based on His Holy Name , and many who will long survive me , will in their heart of hearts rejoice that they are numbered among the votaries who , in our sacred temples , are permitted to whisper His Most Holy Name , and bend their knees to Him in prayer , May peace be with you all . AMEN .

G.L. Of F. And A. Masons Of Ireland.

G . L . OF F . AND A . MASONS OF IRELAND .

AT the Stated Communication of Grand Lodge , held at Freemasons ' Hall , Dublin , on Thursday , 1 st inst ., tho R . W . Robert William Shekleton , Q . C ., Deputy Grand Master in the chair , the following brethren were unanimously elected as the Grand Officers for 1882 : — Bro . His Grace the Most Noble tho Duke of Abercorn , K . G . - M . W . Grand Master Host Hon . tbe Marquess of

Headfort - - - R . W . „ Senior Warden Lord Arthur Hill , M . P . - „ „ Junior Warden Robert Warren , D . L . „ „ Treasurer Right Hon . Earl of Bandon „ „ Secretary Rev . John J . Macsorley - „ „ Chaplain Rt . Hon . and Most Rev . Lord

Plunket Bishop of Mcath ,, „ ,, Theophilus E . St . George - W . „ Senior Deacon Geo . Moyers , LL . D ., J . P . - „ „ Junior Deacon George A . Stephens , J . P . - „ „ Supt . of Works Harry Hodges - - - „ „ Dir . of Ceremonies

John Thomas Banks , M . D . - ,, „ Steward Jas . Creed Meredith , LL . D . " ,, ,, Sword Bearer Charles Frederick Phillips- ,, „ Organist W . J . C . Crawley , LL . D . - „ „ Inner Gtiaid Samuel B . Oldham ,, ,, Dep . Sec . and Treas .

Correspondence.

CORRESPONDENCE .

All Letters must hear the name and address of the Writer , not necessarily for publication , hut as a , guarantee of good faith . We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinions of our Cor . respondents . We cannot undertake to return rejected communications .

GRAND LODGE . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —Bro . Perceval ' s motion at Grand Lodge , Avill , no doubt , lead lo some amendment of tbe very clumsy way in which divisions are taken , but there is another reform in tho arrangements for G . L . which I had hoped some more powerful pen than mine Avould have advocated in your last , viz . —that for the admission of

Provincial Brethren . At the meeting on the 7 th instant , there was undoubtedly an unusual number of brethren in attendance , and the result was that , in their anxiety to ensure a sitting , it was quite a struggle to get to the Scrutineers' table , and , as is usual in such cases , tho weakest , or I might add , the most modest , Avent to tho wall . For myself I may say , that being of a somewhat retiring disposition , and moreover of only moderate physique , I found I could not , without

what appeared to mo unseemly violence , get a chance of being passed , and though I reached the clothing room at 6 . 25 , I was unable to leave it till 6 . 55 , while others Avho came much later , were able , by vigorously elbowing their way to the table , to get their pass and be admitted within a few minutes . It would bo presumptuous on my part to suggest a remedy for this state of things , but I have no doubt now that attention has been drawn to it , something will bo done .

I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Yours faith fully and fraternally , P . M .

R . M . B . I . AND OUR SCHOOLS . To the Editor of the FREEMASON ' S CHRONICLE . DEAR SIR AND BROTHER , —I agree with every point in your article of last week , in which you advocate the motion of Bro . Raynham Stewart for doubling the grants to the Male and Female Funds of the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution . Grand Lodge is slow to do anything of its own motion , but it very readily and

gracefully adopts a good idea or suggestion when it is brought under its notice . If not at all times an adventurous leader , it is invariably a bold and willing follower . I am not at all surprised , therefore , at the fact of its having unanimously accepted Bro . Stewart ' s motion . The question now arises—Are tho Schools to remain , as they will undoubtedly , at a still greater disadvantage , and be left put in the

cold , with a small £ 300 between them , or the half of Avhat is now to be paid annually to the Female Fund of their sister Institution ? The permanent income of the R . M . B . I . has jumped at once from some £ 3 , 670 to £ 4 , 470 , but that of the Girls' School is under £ 2 , 000 , while the Boys' School is in the worst plight of all , the resources it has to look to for certain not bein « more than £ 800 at tho outside . It is

42 years since Grand Lodge arranged to commute its capitation grant of half-a-crown per initiateinto a fixed annual payment of £ 150 to each School , and , having regard to the fact that between them , some 450 children are maintained , clothed , and educated , I think it is very nearly time it took upon itself to reconsider that amount . At the time the sum of £ 4 , 000 was voted by Grand Lodge to the Royal National

Life-boat Association , in commemoration of tbe safe return of tbe Prince of Wales from India , the Earl of Carnarvon said they had adopted this form of memorial in preference to making one special grant to our Institutions , because the latter would never appeal in vain for support . Well , the necessities of all the

Institutions are equally urgent , if not equally great . And now the Benevolent is in receipt of £ 1 , 600 per annum , tbe Schools should have something more than £ 150 apiece , more especially if it is borne in mind that had the capitation grant been continued , each of them would have been in receipt of a round £ 1 , 200

per annum . I am , Dear Sir and Brother , Faithfully and fraternally yours , JUSTICE . Oth December 1881 .

The annual meeting of the York Lodge , No . 236 , Avill be held on Monday next , at the Masonic Hall , Duncombcplace , in that city . Bro . J . Sykes Rymer is tbe W . M . cleat , and Bro . J . Todd P . M . P . P . G . R . the installing officer . We bope to give a report of tbe meeting in owr next issue .

the Robert Barns Lodge of Instruction , No . 2 o , has removed from the Union Tavern , Air-street , Regent-street , lo the North Pole , 387 Oxford-street , six doors from Warclour-strect , where the brethren meet every Friday evening , at 8 o ' clock . Bro . Baker P . M . is tbe Preceptor .