Royal Arch Freemasonry In Victoria.

Then how is it possible for the First Principal of a Chapter perhaps ioo miles away , totally unacquainted with any of the Brethren signing the Petition , or with the locality , to certify as to the character of the petitioners or the suitability of the building ? If he can certify on the assurance of some

mutual friend , why could not the Grand Chapter accept that assurance from any member of Grand Chapter ( in whom it had confidence ) , who could give it from his personal knowledge ? lhen delays should be avoided if a petition is sent in seven weeks before the meeting

of Grand Chapter ( twenty-eight days is required by the regulations ) . It should be compulsory that it be put before the next meeting , and if postponement is necessary , it should be done by Grand Chapter itself . There are many

other points m which alteration would be desirable for the sake of encouraging the progress of R . A . Freemasonry , but the above are sufficient to consider for the present . Over legislation is worse than none at all , and Grand Chapter legislation is much overdone . — " Masonry . "

Restoration Of Brechin Cathedral.

RESTORATION OF BRECHIN CATHEDRAL .

THE Grand Master Mason of Scotland , supported by a large number of Brethren , and in the presence of the Executive Committee and a full and varied representation of the citizens of Brechin , laid the memorial stone in connection with the restoration of Brechin Cathedral , on Saturday afternoon .

About two o ' clock the Grand Master and the deputation from Grand Lodge were , on the invitation of the Executive Committee , entertained at luncheon in the large hall of the Mechanics' Institute . There was a large company of

Freemasons and others . The chair was occupied by the Right Hon . James A . Campbell of Stracathro , M . P ., the Chairman of the Restoration Executive Committee , and he was supported on the right by the Hon . James Hozier , M . P ., Grand Master Mason of Scotland .

After luncheon , the Chairman gaye the toast of the Queen , after which Mr . H . Johnston , Q . C ., Sheriff of Forfarshire , proposed that of the " Church of Scotland , " to which Rev . T 3 r . Scott replied .

The Chairman gave the toast of the Grand Lodge of Scotland , and said that outsiders such as he had the opinion that , whatever Freemasonry was , its objects were Brotherhood and Benevolence .

The Grand Master , in acknowledging the toast , said Freemasons not only took an interest in the building of schools , but a special interest in religion altogether . He

had attended many a Masonic function , but did not remember one , away from headquarters or Glasgow , where he had seen so many distinguished Masons gathered together . He concluded by proposing the health of the Chairman .

This was heartily received , and was suitably acknowledged , and then the company separated . The Masons mustered at the City Hall . The Provincial Grand Master welcomed the Grand Master , thanked him for the honour conferred on the Province , and made a short statement as to its position .

The Grand Master , in replying , congratulated the Provincial Grand Master on having a large and influential deputation there to honour him , for their attendance was a compliment to him . In signing the minute of this Grand

Visitation , the Grand Master gave his congratulations on the excellent condition in which the minutes and books of the Province had been kept , and the manner in which the work was conducted .

The members of the Daughter Lodges meantime formed into processional order and marched past the Hall ; and the members of Provincial Grand Lodge , and the Grand Master and his deputation then joined in . All the Brethren were in Masonic costume . The Grand Master and the Provincial

Grand Master were specially laden with their emblems of position . The former was preceded by the Acting Sword-Bearer , who carried a beautiful Damascus blade , but found no cause in Brechin for bringing it into a condition of activity . Preceded by a band , the Masons formed a

longline of procession . There were deputations , headed generally by the R . W . M . of each Lodge , from twenty-eight Daughter Lodges . There were between 300 and 400 Masons in the procession , but it would be difficult to estimate how many spectators witnessed the proceedings , for the holiday ordinance was in force at the time , and all the town seemed

Restoration Of Brechin Cathedral.

to be eager to see what was to be seen . The line of procession was crowded , windows and other good places were filled , and the precincts of the Cathedral were crammed with old and young . On arriving near the Cathedral they halted , and the members of the Lodges opened up to right and left so as to leave room for the Grand Master and the

Officebearers of the Grand Lodge to pass up the centre to their places near the memorial stone . Daughter Lodges followed , and took places in the nave .

The proceedings were commenced by the band playing the National Anthem , then " O God of Bethel" was sung , and the Rev . Dr . Colin Campbell , Dundee , Grand Chaplain , offered up prayer very appropriate to the occasion .

At this stage Mr . J . Ii . White , of Messrs J . H . White and Sons , Glasgow , the contractors for the work , stepped forward and presented to the Grand Master the trowel and mallet to be used in the ceremony . The trowel was of

massive silver , with a handsomely carved black handle , and on the back had a beautiful engraving of the coat of arms of the old Chapter of Brechin Cathedral , and bore the following inscription on the front : —

Presented by J . H . White , builder , to the HON . J AMES HOZIER , M . P ., Most Worshipful Grand Master Mason of Scotland , on the occasion of his laying the memorial-stone in connection

with the restoration of Brechin Cathedral . 22 nd September 1900 . The Grand Master suitably acknowledged the present , and afterwards said that he would leave the trowel and mallet in Brechin for some time , to allow the people of the town an opportunity of seeing them .

The Grand Officers then proceeded with the function . In a cavity of the memorial stone were placed a jar containing papers relative to the restoration , a copy of the " Dundee Advertiser , " and of the Cathedral Parochial Magazine and other papers . Then the 100 th Psaki was

sung , the stone was " laid m its bed according to the rules of Masonry , " the Grand Master gave three knocks , and said" May the Almighty Architect of the Universe look down with benignity upon our present undertaking and crown it

with every success . Corn—the emblem of plenty and abundance of God ' s good gifts— -was then thrown on the stone , wine and oil were poured upon it , and then the ceremonial was closed .

The Grand Master thanked the Executive for the privilege granted the Masons of taking part in the ceremony . It was interesting because of the antiquity of the building now being restored , because the genius of the architect was bringing back much of the beauty of the Cathedral as it

stood m old days , and because the restoration was really and truly a national restoration . All denominations had contributed to make the scheme a success , and everybody had given according to his means , from princely donations—one bv Mr . Campbell and another bv one who had determined

to remain anonymous—down to the more humble offerings of goodwill . Most cordially did he congratulate all concerned , and , above all , the ministers of the church upon the

splendid success that had attended their glorious efforts ; and most earnestly did he trust and pray that in the future , as in the past , this Brechin Cathedral might be the centre of Christian life and thought for many and many a year to come .

The Right Hon . J . A . Campbell , M . P ., thanked the Masons for their assistance . They had had a most impressive ceremonial in connection with the restoration of perhaps not one of the greatest Cathedrals , but certainly one of the most beautiful in Scotland . He gave a review of

the steps taken to secure this , and stated that the subscriptions had now reached the sum of £ 10 , 130 , leaving £ 1 , 900 yet to collect . The congregation had done its best , and the Committee had had sympathy and encouragement from the people in Brechin and connected with it and with

the district , belonging to all classes and to all denominations . It had been taken up as an object of national concern and of general interest . Many had replied to the Committee ' s appeals that they were fully occupied with the war funds , but

he hoped that was only postponed , and that now , when the raising of war funds was at an end , or nearly so , their friends would bethink themselves of the claims of the Brechin Cathedral restoration , and give them the £ 1 , 900 as soon as possible .