Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

— : o : — CONSECRATION OF THE DUKE OF FIFE CHAPTER , No . 2345 .

fliHRLE years ago the Duke of Fife Lodge , No . 2315 , was con-~ L secrated at the Alexandra Hotel , Clapham Common , with Comp . Samuel Cochrane as first Worshipful Master , and Companion Charlie Woods as first Secretary . On Monday , 10 th inst ., the Duke of Fife Chapter was consecrat-d with thoso Companions as First Principal and Scribe E . respectively . The ceremony was very ably

performed by Comp . Letehwonh G . S . E ., who was assisted by Cora , ranions Major-General J . Crossland Hay , C . B ., G . A . Soj . as H ., Rev . J . Studholme Brownrigg G . Snperintendent Bucks as J ., Chas . E . Keyser G . Sword Bearer as S . N ., and F . Richardson P . G . A . S . as Dir . of Cers . All the Founders , wifch the exception of Comp . G . Everett P . G . T ., were present , and tbe following : —Comps . J . S . Tavener , J .

Bond P . Z . 619 , F . Hilto- " Z . 1275 1622 M . E . Z . 172 , H . N . Price PZ . 177 , John Read ? . '/ . ) 720 P . G . S . B . Herts ., C . J . Reed 1524 , H . Sadler G . Janitor , R . ., d . iwv P . Z . M . E . Z . 1226 , H . J . Lardner P . Z . 3 P . P . G . D . C . Surrey , Captain T . C . Walls P . Z . 3 Paat Provvincial Grand Principal Sojourner , C . Patrick P . Z . Janitor . Comp . Rev . J . Studholme Brownrigg delivered an oration on the

progress of Royal Arch Masonry and its lessons . He said—One of the most satisfactory indications of the reality and genuineness of the advance which our Order is making is that a new Lodge seldom fails in due course to apply for fche attachment of a Eoyal Arch Chaptor . Time was when a few Chapters in the Metropolitan district were sufficient to supply tbe wants of the few brethren who

oared sufficiently about our Craffc to seek any progress beyond the Master Mason ' s degree . Those days are fast passing away , and every new Lodge that succeeds requires and obtains its Royal Arch Chapter . And what when we reach the summit of this degree do we find is the lesson which runs like a golden thread through every lecture and ceremony ? Perfection is set before us . We are taught

thafc beyond and external of this transitory world there is a Divine Power which is Omnipresent , Omniscient , and Omnipotent . That absolute perfection is ever kept beforo the Royal Arch Mason as a living reality . No sceptic can honestly accept the teachings of this Order . The Central facts of Dogmatic Belief are so engraved in tho ritual of this degree that it would be dishonest to ignore their

existence . And as we stand reverently gazing at truths beyond our understanding , but nofc beyond our faith , wo recognize two greafc facts—man ' s littleness , and God's all gracious powor . Modern civilization is ever tending to make ns self-conceited and presumptuous . Tho more superficial our knowledge of any subject is , the more qualified we consider ourselves to give opinions as

experts . It is astounding to find how men pose as experts before they have ever begnn to learn the rudiments . Our ancient Craftsmen here give us a wholesome lesson . They learnt slowly , but they learnt thoroughly . They were Apprentices before they were Architects . In a book just published about one of onv old Oxford Colleges , it is noted as a very significant fact that tho Architect was

an nnknown man , and that he worked at the building himself . Ho was , in fact only tho Master Mason . He had to bear a share of carrying out with his hands what his bead had devised . The results produced by ouch a system were far moro thorough than those ofthe present day , and wero so , I think , as a consequence of man ' s humility in recognizing that education , whether of mind or body ,

was a life-long task . Thafc perfection , which he never could reach , must ever be before his eyes and towards that he must ever be striving , knowing that ho would never accomplish it , but that his imperfect work would be accepted if it was an endeavour to copy tho fine pattern , and that when his hand dropped feeblo to his side in death , the Great Master himself would add the finishing touches ,

which would alone give merit to the work . After the ceremony of consecration was completed the following were installed as Principals : —Comps . S . Cochrane M . E . Z ., J . Wyer P . Z . H ., J . VV . Folkard J . The election of Officers resulted as follows : —Compp . Geo . Everett Treasurer , C . Woods S . E ., A . Harvey S . N ., J . VV . Andrews P . Soj ., J . A . Randall A . Soj ., and 0 . Patrick P . Z . Janitor . The

Officers were appointed a Committee to frame Bye-Laws , for consideration afc the next meeting of tho Chapter . The consecrating Officers were elected Hon . Members , and it was resolved to record on the minntes a special vote of thanks to them for the excellent manner in whioh they had performed tho consecration and installation ceremonies . The following brethren were proposed

for exaltation , Brothers Boswell , C . Munslow , and Bonner . The Chapter was then closed according to ancient cnstom . After the banquet , which reflected great credit on the host , the M . E . Z . proposed the usual Loyal and Masonic toasts , and the same were received with enthusiasm by the Companions . Comp . Cochrane M . E . Z ., in proposing tho M . E . Pro G . Z . the Earl of Latboin , the t ? . H .

Earl of Mount Edgcumbe , the G . J . Comp . VV . VV . B . Beach , M . P ., and the rest of the Grand Officers Present and Past , referred to the good work they had done for the Order in general , and to tho particular work done so well that evening by the Grand Officers who had consecrated the Duke of Fife Chapter . Comp . Rev . J . Studholmo Brownrigg said that he was glad to reply on that occasion .

He pointed out that Grand Officers might be divided into two classes , those who gave long speeches and those who did not . He belonged to the latter class , and consequently said no more . Companion Cochrane , in proposing the Consecrating Principal Companion Edward Letchworth referred to tho great

kindness he had personally received from tho Grand Scribo E . in founding the Chapter . Ho also spoke of his zeal for tho Older . Comp . E . Letchworth pointed out thafc he had known Comp . Cochrane for years , both on tho Board of General Purposes and in other places , and was particularly pleased to be able to do his sharo in aiding the formation of tbe Chapter . He trusted that under the

able guidance of Comp . Cochrane , who would shortly he among the Grand Officers , the Duke of Fife Chapter would tlourish and become an ornament to tho Order . He concluded by proposing the toast of the M . E . Z . Companion S . Cochrane responded , and then proposed the Visitors . Comp . Captain T . C . Wa ' . ls , in responding , expressed hia pleasure at . seeing this now Chapter started . He

considered that Royal Arch Masonry would flourish far better if the '" twelve months" probation were abolished , and if other slight alterations were iutrodacad . Comp . If . J . Lardner likewise responded . lie had enjoyed what he had seen very mnch . Hia respect for the M . H Z . waa very great , and the work that Companion Cochrane had do : o on the Board of General Porposep , and for the

Charities , hacl made him greatly respected by the Craffc , who hnd elected him to hold a very high and honourable position . Comp . F . Hilton pointed out that tha success of Royal Arch Masonry depended largely npon whether the Officers could properly perform their dnties . He waa particularly gratified at being present , and trusted that the new Chapter would have a proud future . Comp . R . J ,

Voisey referred to the able work that had been done in South London to revive the proper renderinc * of the ritual by Companions Bumsto'id and Fred Hilton . Ho wished this new South London Chapter all success , and from what he knew of some of the Officers , believed it was ensured . Comp . S . Cochrane proposed the Second ancl Third Principals . Comp . J . Wyer P . Z . H . would do all he could

to render assistance in making tho Chapter flourish . Companion Folkard J . promised also that ho would work to make the Chapter a success . Comp . S . Cochrane proposed tho Officers . He said that they were all new to the duties , and bethought that probably Comp . Scribe E . was the best up in the work , but all would be ready by tho next meeting to properly curry out their tasks . Comp ? . Cbarlio

Woods S . E ., Alfred Harvey S . N ., J . Andrews Principal Sojourner , and J . A . Randall Assistant Sojourner responded . Tho Janitor ' s toast closed a most succosful meeting , tho pleasure , of which had been enhanced by sougs and recitations given by Comps . Captain Walle , R . J . Vois-y , Frost , II . J . Lardner , II . Sadler Grand Janitor , and Master Folkard . Tho musical arrangements were carried out under tho able direction of Comp . J . Read .

ST . THOMAS'S CHAPTER , No . 142 . r riHE ordinary meeting was held on Saturday , tbe 15 th instant , afc i- the City Terminus Hotel , Comps . F . VV . Levander P . Z . M . E . Z ., J . A . Gartley P . Z . IT ., nnd George Motion P . Z . J . presiding . Comps . A . V . Haines P . Z . Treasurer , C . F . Hogard P . Z . S . E ., W . J . Nicholl P . Z ., Rev . H . A . Hebb P . S ., Robert Martin P . Z ., J . Jacobs 1839 , and H . Massey P . Z . 619 and 192 S were also present . The election for the ensuing year resulted in the unanimous choice of Comps . J . A . Gartley

as M . L . Z ., George Motion as IL , Rev . H . A . Hebb as J ., A . V . Haines as Treasurer , 0 . F . Hogard ns S . E ., A . S . Tipson as S . N ., S . VV . Yoekuuy as P . S ., and Mor ' ov as Janitor , Comp . Walkley having died . Com . panions Hebb and VTockney were elected to servo on the Audit Comm \ tter , awl then . auuei * . very interesting ceremony—the presentation of a testimonial to Cump . ( j . F . Hogard P . Z . P . G . D . D . C . S . E . The

M . E . Z ., before making the presentation , introduced the subject by saying there was another little matter , which was not on the agenda paper , but on which he shonld like to say a lew words . Perhaps , as an introdnetion , ho might be allowed to give a short explanatory history of tho Chapter , and in stating it he might say that abont 15 years as * o a proposition wus brought forward in St . Thomas ' s Lodge

that a Chnpter should bo hold iu connection with it . St . Thomas ' s Lodgo hud celebrated its Centenary then , but up to that time . it hod not possessed a Chapter , although it WHS said at the commencement of tho Book of Constitutions that pare and ancient Free , masonry consists of three degrees , aud no more , including tho Royal Arch . One of the members of the Lodge was

very active in his i lforts to establish a Chapter , their late lamented Companion Lambert . After considerable exertions on bis part tho object wns accomplished , and on 5 th May 1 S 7 S a preliminary meeting was held , which was attended by 11 . members of the St . Thomas ' s Lodge . Of those 11 only five or six were then with them , nnd some had received their last summons .

Afc the preliminary meeting all tbe details were settled as to what should be done . The Officers were selected , and the Companion chosen for thc post of Scribe E . was the Companion whom they had that day unanimously re-elected to fill that post . It wai needless for him ( Companion Levander ) to say how troublesome wns tho work of tho formation of a Chapter , and what very great

efforts were required in going throngh all the preliminary matters for securing that tho Chapter should bo well launched . However , nil this was successfully accomplished , aud on tho 25 th of September of that year the Chapter was consecrated . During the whole of the time that had elapsed since that date and the present day Companion Hogard hacl virtually managed the finances of the Chnpter . Tho

Treasurer would correct him tf he was wrong , but bo believed ho was right in that respect . Not only so , but Comp . Hogard had acted as S . E . of the Chapter , and had done everything that possibly conld be done for the Ciinpter from the commencement to its present successful position . His efforts had been continued all the way iloMg , and they h-xd been crowned with BIJOUCS ? . ft was said that

virtue was its own reward , but it was a pleasure to thoso who practised it to receive something which showed the value which other . * put on services rendered . Therefore it was thought by tho members of St . Thomas ' s Chapter that as 15 years—a good slice oub of a man ' s life—had elapsed , the present vvas a proper

period anti a good opportunity to evince to Comp . Hogard in some tangible way the feelings towards him of the Companion . ' ' of thc Chapter . Jt was . therefore , with very great pleasure indeed that he ( Comp . Levander ) , ou behalf of tbe members of the St . Thomas ' s Chapter , aaked Comp . Hogard to accept a small token of thoir esteem and regard . The ConinaLioua had rather a diilicu ;* .