Royal Arch Masonry.

ROYAL ARCH MASONRY .

( To the Editor of The Freemason . ) MR . EDITOR , —Is not uniformity in the ritual of the Royal Arch equally as desirable as in Craft Masonry , and should not both when speaking of matters of history render them correct ? The writer attends a Chapter of Instruction , which

he believes to be the longest established of any one now meeting in London , ancl where two of the most esteemed and popular Royal Arch Preceptors , of great ability and kindness , deviate from each other in the ritual , which has caused most ofthe oldest and most accomplished members to discontinue their

attendance , and I feel sure it must be a matter of regret to every well-disposed Mason , and furnish good argument for " Uniformity in the Ritual . " And as the entire ritual of Masonry is founded on Biblical history , I humbly submit thc task is by no means difficult , if we only bring unprejudiced minds ,

and a little logic" to our aid , and refer to the bible for ourselves . For instance , if we are told , the first , or Holy Lodge was holden A . L . 2515 , two years after the Exodus of the children of Israel from their Egyptian bondage , and we find ( Exodus , chap . 12 , ver . 3 , that they left Egypt on the 15 th day

ofthe ist month , A . L . 2513 ) , and ( Exodus , chap . 40 , ver . 17 , the Tabernacle was consecrated in the ist day in the 1 st month . A . L . 2514 . ) , then it must be fourteen days less than twelve months , and not two years after the Exodus , and Bishop Patrick in his commentary holds this view , and he is held

to be correct by other commentators . Again , one Preceptor says , the ribbon worn by the companions * ' is composed of the principal colours with which the vails of the Temple and Tabernacle were interwoven , and another says " they were composed of two of the

principal colours , and we find ( Exodus chap . 3 6 , ver . 35— " And be made a vail of blue and purple and scarlet" ) ( 2 Chron ., chap . 3 , ver . 14 , He made the vail of blue and purple and crimson ) so it appears correct to say they were composed of two of the principal colours , and we invest the three principals in blue , purple , and

scarlet , and the jewel of office worn by principals and officers and also by past principals is suspended to a crimson collar . It would not be much trouble to read the last verse 2 book Chron . to enable us to render the proclamation of Cyrus , King of Persia , correct .

Again , one party will not speak of Hiram at all times as Hiram Abif , because the name does not appear in the Bible . This is an instance in the writer ' s opinion where to be half right is to be altogether wrong , for we read ( 2 Chron ., chap . 4 , verse 16)— "The pots also and thc shovels and the fleshhooks , and all the instruments did Huram

his father make to King Solomon for the House of the Lord of bright brass . " Now as Solomon was the son of David , how could Huram be his father ? Huram is called father by thc King of Tyre ( 2 Chron ., chap . 2 , verse 13 ) , but according to the common acceptation of the word , Huram was neither father of the one nor of the other .

Here , then , we require a biblical dictionary , and referring to Calmit's , we find the word " Huram " signifies high intelligence , and referring to the word " Father" we find AB is the Hebrew root ofthe word father , and that the termination of the word alters its ^ meaning from natural father to father or head , or chief of a people , a place , a profession , a

society , & c . " Hiram was called father by the King of Tyre and even by King Solomon , because he was thc principal of his workmen , and the chief director of their undertakings . " But if we say Hiram the widow ' s son , we deprive thc words of their symbolic meaning , and of all logical connection with our

" system of morality veiled in allegory , illustrated by symbols . " But the expressions , Hiram Abif , and Hiram his father , have the same symbolic meaning in this instance . But worse than all , we are told , " Jehovah" is the " incomprehensible " name of God , it signifies

. I , am that I am , " & c , but I ask how we know ) t is the name of God , or what it " signifies" if it is incomprehensible ? The very language wc use in connection with the word is taken from our most eminent divines and commentators , to showit is the most "comprehensible name of God

( see Calmit ' s Dictionary ) , " Patrick ' s Commentary " or D'Oyly and Mant ' s Bible with practical notes . I could adduce many other instances that require correcting , but I prefer to ask our acknowledged leaders , to " meet and agree " of their own accord , and not continue to lay themselves or their workings open to reasonable objection . S . G . F .

Franklin was an observing and sensible ' man , ana his conclusions were seldom incorrect . He said , "A newspaper and a Bible in every house , a good school in every district , all studied and appreciated as they merit , are the principal support of virtue , morality , and civil liberty . "

Red Cross Of Rome And Constantine.

RED CROSS OF ROME AND CONSTANTINE .

INAUGURATION OF SAINT ANDREW'S CONCLAVE , No . 15 .

The interesting ceremony of adding another branch to the ancient tree of chivalry , as represented by the Red Cross Order , took place on Thursday , the 23 rd ult ., when the St . Andrew ' s Conclave ,

was formally inaugurated at the Terminus Hotel , Cannon-street , under peculiarly favorable auspices . It may be mentioned that some time ago , about a dozen brethren in Edinburgh , were received into the Order by an English Inspector General , but owing

to unfortunate differences amongst themselves to which it is unnecessary to allude at greater length , the projected formation ofthe St . Andrew ' s Conclave in the Scottish metropolis , was suspended by the Illustrious Chief of the Order , Lord Kenlis , who finally determined to issue the charter to several

distinguished brethren in London , who were desirous of establishing a new conclave , under the leadership of Bro . Raynham W . Stewart who is ever foremost in every good work . After two preliminary meetings , tbe inauguration was fixed for the 23 rd ult ., when thc following

Knights assembled to do honour to the occasion V . E . Sir Knt . Raynham W . Stewart , 18 ° , G . A . Herald , M . P . S . Des . ; R . Kenyon , V . E . Des . ; F . Binckes , 30 ° , Captain Clifford Henry * , 18 ° , W . H . Hubbard , G . Treas . ; W . Jones , Sig . Rosenthal , 33 , and j . C . Dawson , founders ; Col . F . Burdett , 0

32 , G . S . Gen ., Ins . Gen . Middlesex ; R . Wentworth Little , 18 ° , G . R . Ins . Gen ., Surrey ; J . G . Marsh , G . A . Ins . Gen ., Essex ; H . Parker , G . O . ; G . Kenning , P . Sov ., Premier Conclave ; S . G . Foxall , P . Sov . ( 6 ); D . R . Still , V . E . ( 2 ) ,- 111 . Sir Knt . John Hervey , G . H . Chancellor ; and several other

eminent members of the Order were unable to attend owing to prior engagements . The conclave was opened by Sir Knt . Little , and thc minutes of the preliminary meetings having been confirmed , Sir Knts . Stewart and Kenyon were inducted into their respective chairs as M . P . S .,

and V . E . Ballots were then taken for seven candidates named on the agenda paper , when the following six being in attendance , were most efficiently installed by the M . P . S ., who upon this the firstoccasion of his presidency , showed clearly that he had studied the ritual , and was determined to render

it with due solemnity . Bro . Frederick Adolphns Philbrick , Q . C , of the Old Dundee Lodge , No . 18 . " Bro . Simeon C . Hadlcy , W . M ., Constitutional Lodge , No . 55 . Bro . Donald Dewar , 18 , of the Lodge of

Antiquity , No . 20 . Bro . William Roebuck of the East Surrey Lodge of Concord , No . 463 . Bro . George Lambert 30 ° , P . G . W ., Herts , P . M ., Percy Lodge , No . 198 . Bro . Jas . Percy Leith 18 , P . G . C . Bombay , P . S . W .

Lodge of Antiquity , No . 1 , ancl Treas . St . George's Lodge , No . 549 , Bombay . Upon the conclusion ot the ceremony of installation the Knights filed out of the chamber , and re-entered in procession , preceded by Sir Knt . Binckes , as G . Marshal , for

THE INAUGURATION . Sir Knt . LITTLE tilen t 00 j _ t j ie c *_ * ) and was admirably assisted during the impressive ceremonial which followed , by Sir Knt . Marsh , as Prelate , and Sir Knt . Parker , as Organist . This important rite of dedication was concluded with the mystic libation

as an emphatic pledge of adherence to those principles which are the strength and glory of thc Order . The following officers for the ensuing year were then appointed by the M . P . S ., E . Sir Knt . Kenyon , V . E ., named in the charter : F . Binckes , S . G . : W .

Jones , J . G . ; S . Rosenthal , H . P . ; R . Kenyon , Treas . ; W . H . Hubbard , Recorder ; Capt . C . Henry , Prefect ; J . C . Dawson , Herald ; J . Gilbert , Sentinel . The conclave was closed , and thc chevaliers adjourned to the banquet hall , where a sumptuous dinner was provided . Anions , other

toasts that of " The newly-installed companions-inarms" elicited great applause , and splendid speeches from Sir Knts . Philbrick and Leith , the last named gentleman who is a nephew of the esteemed Grand Treasurer of Grand Lodge , Bro . S . Tomkins , especially announcing his determination to form a conclave in Bombay .

Col . BURDETT responded for the visitors , and the health ofthe M . P . S . was enthusiastically drunk , upon the proposition of Sir Knt . Binckes , who expatiated in warm terms upon tbe many kindly qualities of Sir . Knt . Stewart . After a most pleasant evening , enlivened by thc musical and vocal abilities of Sir Kilts , Parker , Marsh , & c , the Knights separated .

Opening Of A New Mark Masters Lodge At Stowmarket.

OPENING of a NEW MARK MASTERS LODGE AT STOWMARKET .

On Wednesday the 15 th inst ., the opening and consecration of a new Lodge , No . 105 , The " Freeman , " took place at the Town Hall , Stowmarket . There was a large assembly of brethren from Ipswich , Norwich and other places . The lodge was opened at three o ' clock by Bro . F . Binckes ,

Grand Secretary , G . L . M . M ., assisted by Bro . Rev . R . N . Sanderson , P . M ., 70 , Grand Chaplain , G . L , M . M ., as S . W ., and Bro . Rev . J . J . Farnham , P . M . 90 , as J . W ., after advancing Bro . Spencer Freeman , ( after whom the lodge is named ) the consecration was commenced : Bro . A . J . Barber , 70 , Provincial

Grand Organist , Suffolk , presiding at the harmonium and leading the music . Bro . F . Binckes then beautifully conducted the ceremonies . Bro . Sanderson delivered a special oration for the occasion and also the consecration prayer . The three P . M . ' s carrying the consecrating vessels were Bros . Binckes ,

Farnham and Townsend , and the censer with incense , in the after part of the ceremony , bv Bro . Sanderson . The consecration having been completed the installation of Worshipful Master took place , when Bro . Fredk . Long , was duly installed into the chaii ; as first Master of the lodge , He

appointed his officers amongst whom were Bros . Geo . S . Golding , S . W . ; F . BettsJ . W . ; E . Warner , M . O . ; C . H . W oods , S . O . ; Spencer Freeman , Treasurer . After several brethren hacl been proposed as candidates for advancement and joining members

the lodge was closed in due form and the brethren adjourned to the Fox Hotel , where a sumptuous banquet had been prepared . After the cloth was removed the Chairman gave the following toasts , which were duly honoured : — " The Queen and Mark Masonry . " " Bro . H . R . H .

the Prince of Wales and Royal Family . " "The M . W . the Grand Master and R . W . the ' D . G . M . of Mark Masons of England . " " The Grand Chaplain of England , M . M ., " responded to by thc V . W . Bro . R . N . Sanderson in a very eloquent speech . " The Grand Secretary of England , M . M ., " was most ablv

ancl at some length responded to by Bro . F . Binckes . "The Past and Present Grand Officers of M . M . England" was responded to by Bro . C . T . Townsend , P . G . S . D . England . Bro . Sanderson then gave " Success to the Freeman Lodge , " to which Bro . Fredk . Long , the W . M ., responded . "The

W . M . ' s and P . M . ' s of other Lodges " was responded to by Bro . Farnham of the Sirius Lodge . Bro . Binckes then , in a flattering speech , proposed the health of Bro . Spencer Freeman , and alluded to the great services both him and his deceased brother had rendered to masonry . Bro . Freeman replied .

The health of "the Visitors" was then given by the W . M ., and responded to by Bro . Simpson , S . W ., Walpole Lodge , Norwich , and Bro . Westgate , S . W ., Albert Victor Lodge , Ipswich . Bro . Binckes responded to the " Masonic Charities , " and a subscription was made at the table , conferring two votes on

the W . M . of the Freeman Lodge , and handed over to Bro . Binckes . Bro . Farnham proposed " Success to the Albert Victor and Walpole Lodges , " alluding very happily to the great aid both these lodges had rendered their Stowmarket brethren in forming the new lodge ; Bros . Sanderson and G . C ,

Stevens responded , and , after thc " Lodge Officers " had been proposed by Bro . Sanderson and responded very ably to by Brs . Golding and Belts , the Tyler ' s toast vvas given , and the happy party broke up . In addition to those whose names appear above ,

there were a large number of brethren present , amongst them being Bros . A . M . F . Morgan , Hy , Mason , J . Dunsford , J . Marshall , from Norwich ; Cuckow Oliver , J . A . Pettitt , Cresswell , Pettitt , jun ,, & c , from Ipswich . It may be mentioned that the entire furniture of

the lodge has been presented by various brethren who are anxious to further the interests of Mark Masonry in East Anglia , The beautiful oration , delivered by Bro . Sanderson , he has consented to publish , at the request of Bro . Binckes , and the unanimous desire of all the Mark Masters who had the pleasure of hearing it .

ALTERATIONS IN STREET NOMENCLATURE . — The Metropolitan Board of Works has directed the following alterations to be made in metropolitan street names : — Balmain-street and Fryton-street , Hornsey-rise , to be re-named Orleans-road and

Croniartie-road respectively ; Blackstock-lane , Finsbury-park , Islmgton , tobere-namedBlackstock-roacl ; Gipsy-lane , Islington , to be re-named Mountgroveroad . Thc line of thoroughfare extending from New Blackfriars-road to the Mansion-bouse to be called Queen Viotoria-stfeet .