Royal Arch.

light from the temple of truth as we enter the portals of a Royal Arch Chapter , which bids ns acknowledge in the strongest sense the Triune Jehovah . We feel that we have entered into the root , the heart , the marrow of Freemasonry . It is more nngnst , sublime , and important than any degree which precedes it , and is tho summit and perfection , the ne plus ultra , of gennine Craft Masonry . It impresses , as I have

said , on all faithful sojourners and true Companions a belief in the being and existence of the Supremo Deity , three persons in one God , without beginning of days or end of years , and reminds us of the reverence due to His holy namo . And right heartily do we rejoice , Most Excellent , at your presence hero to-day to engraft another branch into the wide-spreading tree of Roval Arch Freemasonry—a

branch whicb , we trust , shall prove as vigorous as any that havo sprung from the ancient stock . It is a matter of congratulation also that so worthy and expert a Companion as Bro . Vowles has been selected to preside over this Chapter as its Founder . From a lengthened and varied experience , he is conversant with its ceremonials , and well acquainted with the high value and lasting

importance of the Royal Arch Degree , and this makes it needless for the orator to predict a successful and prosperour career for the Commercial Chapter at Nottingham . To all good Royal Arch Companions tho progress of their Order , wherever it be , must ever call up feelings of joy and satisfaction . It has been said that " on the empire of England the sun never sets , " an apt and forcible illustration of the

extent and power of the country to which we owe onr birth ; bnt great , noble , and dazzling as is the acquisition of territory , such victories are sometimes only obtained at cost of thousands of lives , with desolation , rain ; and widows and orphans following in their train . Bab with regard to Freemasonry , although her domain is even far more extended—although as regards her influence the sun is always

at its meridian—she brings no such pangs in her bright career , for hers is the mission of peace and goodwill to all mankind . She stands with a rock for her foundation ; honour , truth , and virtue for its superstructure ; whilst the three great pillars supporting ber noble temple are Faith , Hope , and Charity—thereby implying our faith in the Most High , a hope in salvation , and to be in charity with all men .

Onr Institntion , too , can boast of antiquity , forming the great link between the period when civilization just emerged from barbarism into an age in which it has expanded to such noble proportions . Even in the earliest periods the teachings of Freemasonry were full of veneration of the Deity , and the utmost regard for His supreme wisdom and power . The first tent or tabernacle erected by Moses in

the wilderness for the proper and decent celebration of Divine worship , by a singular coincidence , formed the great prototype and ground plan of the magnificent temple bnilt at Jerusalem by King Solomon , which for its extent and regal splendour was at that time considered one of the wonders of the world ; bnt true to the prophecy which , was pronounced when rich in its magnificence , the ploughshare of time

has passed over its site , and not one stone has beeu left on another . The glories of Solomon could not preserve this stately fabric from ruin , and the temple that was reared with such industry , skill , and care , has passed away , " like the baseless fabric of a vision , and left not a wreck behind . " But what shall we say of Freemasonry , the Order which King Solomon in all his glory delighted to honour . Has

that shared the fate of the temple to which I have just referred ? Has it , like the splendid structure of onr Royal Master , crumbled to the dust ? To these questions we can give an emphatic answer , and say that the great Order of Freemasonry not only still exists , but has gone on increasing in strength , adding every year to its vitality , and like the sapling oak it has grown to a noble and majestic treennder

, whose spreading branches the young find shelter and the old repose . And , with regard to Eoyal Arch Masonry in particular , it may be said that the exercise and management of this sublime D egree of Masonry has been so highly appreciated , and its good reputation so well established , that these considerations alone wonld have been sufficient to account for the foundation of this new Chapter . Bnt

when to these is added the pleasure which every philanthropical heart must feel in doing good , in promoting good order , in diffusing light and knowledge , in cultivating Masonic charity , which is one of the great objects of this sublime Institution , you have , I take it , reasons which cannot be gainsaid for attempting to spread tbo knowledge of this Degree through the wealthy town of Nottingham and its environs .

I will but add my good wishes , Companions , and bid the Chapter about to be consecrated , " God speed . " To use tho words of a Royal Arch lecture , " may your Chapter become beantiful as the Temple of Solomon , peaceful as the Ark , and sacred as its most holy placo ; may yonr oblations of piety and praise be grateful as the incense , your love warm as its flame , and your charity diffusive as its fragrance ; may yonr hearts be pnre as its altar , and your conduct

acceptable as its offering . May tho exercise of your charity bo constant as the returning wants of the distressed widow and the helpless orphan ; may the approbation of Heaven bo yow cnconragDmenfc , and the testimony of a good conscience your support ; may yon be endued with every good and perfect gift while travelling tho thorny path of life , nnd finally admitted within the Heavenl y Temple to full enjoyment of lifo eternal . "

At the last meeting of the Dundas Lodge , No . 12-55 , it was resolved that the sum of five guineas be given to the Huy she Memorial Fund . This was supplemented h y a donation from W . Bro . Charles GodtschalkP . M . P . P . G . D . of two guineas , aud two guineas from the W . Master Bro .

Admiral F . H . H . Glasso , C . B ., P . G . S . W . Subscri p tions from tho other members were not announced . Tho W . Bro . -T . B . Gover , P . M . 70 , called the attention of the hvethren to the Devon Masonic Educational Fund , and the W " . Master Bro . Admiral Gias . se , promised him an earl y evening to advocate the claims of this Charity .

The Season Why Ladies Have Never Been Made Freemasons.

THE SEASON WHY LADIES HAVE NEVER BEEN MADE FREEMASONS .

FROM THE KEYSTONE . A RDUOUS is tho task I am now entering upon , and very difficult - £ * - indeed is it to eradicate opinions which havo been so strongly impressed npon the people ' s mind ( and especially thoso of tho fair sex ) for ages past . However , tho reasons and arguments that I shall lay down I hope will removo thoso grounded opinions , and trust will prove highly satisfactory to my fair readers , as I am sure , when

they consider seriously npon Masonry , and but for a moment reflect that its institution is for tho improvement of tho mind and morals of mankind , they will allow them to be just . In the first instance , and it mnst be allowed a truth beyond tho power of contradiction , that no society , or body of men npon earth , can venerate , adore , and esteem tho fair sex more than Freemasons

do . We cannot bnt reckon it a very great misfortune that tho ladies should bo offended at their non-admission into our Craft ; and the more so , as they learn with what moderation Freemasons conduct themselves in their assemblies ; bnt without knowing the reasons why they are nofc admitted , some indeed censure us w t ' i all the severity their delicate minds are capable of ; others again are as

liberal and unrestrained in praise of the society . This , we most beg leave to say , is entirely owing to mistaken prejudice , because a little reflection wonld convince them , that their not being received into our institution is not in the least singular , as some allege , and whom I understand to have said , " they stand in tho same predicament with respect to the priesthood and many other societies , the solemn

assemblies of tho Ancients , the Senates of Pagan , and the Conclaves of Rome , all national Senates and Ecclesiastical Synods , universities , seminaries of learning , " & o ., & c , with which they might with equal propriety be offended . Others have asserted , that the reason why ladies were excluded our society was , to take away all occasion for calumny and reproach

which those shallow geniuses seem to think wonld have been unavoidable , had they been admitted . And again , that since woman had in general been always considered as not very well qualified to keep a secret , * because the woman of Tamnath , whom Samson took to wife , betrayed the secret of the riddle which he entrusted her with to the Philistines ; f likewise , because Delilah , after repeated strata .

gems and arts , persuaded Samson to inform her where his great strength lay ; which he had no sooner done but she betrayed him to the Philistines , who bound him * and pnt out both his eyes . f I think it exceedingly unjnst to exclude the fair sex from benefiting by onr societies on account of Delilah ' s behaviour , because it is not known whether she was one of the daughters of Israel or a woman of the

Philistines . Sacred history is silent on the subject , and according to Josephus , she was a mercenary woman , and would do anything for money . § My fair readers will please to recollect , that in the most early ages of antiquity , women ' s minds were not so enlightened as in tbe present age ; that they were onlv considered , in the days of King

Solomon , as handmaids , and not as companions and associates to men , employed in so learned , so useful , and so mysterious a society as Masonry , as there are many transactions in the Royal Art , which are far beyond that knowledge which women generally attain . || At the first institntion of Masonry , it was thought proper to exclude the fair sex , and as old customs are but too seldom laid aside , their

expulsion has been handed down to us . And as we are such strict observers of the ancient manners and enstoms , so transmitted to us by our forefathers , these , I hope , will be sufficient reasons why thafc most amiable part of the creation has hitherto been excluded . Many of the fair sex , I am truly sensible , would be the greatest ornaments to Masonry , did not onr laws and institutions exelndo

them . However , what I shall now advance will be allowed , especiallyamong those of my fair readers who are united in the sacred institntion of marriage with Freemasons , who , I flatter myself , are convinced of its truth . And as Freemasons , by the rules of the Craft , pay a far greater attention to the moral and social duties of life than the generality of mankind , they are inspired with a far

greater desire and reverence for the most sacred and happy of all institutions , marriage . They of all others best know how to love , to cherish , to value the dear companion of their fortunes , who , by her kind participation and affectionate regard , softens and alleviates every distress and wordly care , and adds sweetness and comfort to all the pleasures of lifo . Sho is the most pleasing companion in the gay and cheerful hour of prosperity , and his chief friend and adviser

in tho dark and dismal day of adversity . She is the tender and careful preserver of his health , and the ever anxious and soothing attendant ou his sickness . She is the watchfnl , cautious , and prudent manager of all his domestic concerns . We do declare thero is nothing which affords so pleasing a prospeo J of hnman nature , as the contemplation of wisdom , virtue and beauty ; tho latter is the peculiar gift of heaven to that sex we call fair ; but