Provincial Grand Chapter Of Suffolk.

them . He trusted that the Provincial Grand Chapter of Suffolk , as well as Royal Arch Masonry , . night flourish . A proposition made by the M . E . Comp . Luff , and seconded by the ALE . Comp . Sanderson , that the M . E . Comp . Dr . Mills be elected Treasurer for the province , was carried unanimously . Thc P . G . S . then appointed and invested his officers as

follows : — W . H . Lucia Prov . G . S . E . R . N . Sanderson Prov . G . S . N . ] . » Fraser Prov . G . P . S . H . Luff Prov . G . ist A . S . S . I-I . Wright Prov . G . 2 nd A . S . Westgate Prov . GD . C .

Armstrong Prov . G . R . Wilmshurst and Noble Prov . G . Stewards . It was decided that the appointment of J . should not be made , but that the chapter where the P . G . C . meets should . appoint a companion for the tlay . Comp . G . Spalding was appointed for that day . The P . G . S . apologised for the absence of Comps . Lord

Henniker , the G . S . E ., J . Hervey , P . de L . Long , and the P . G . S . of Cambs . The next business was the appointment of a committee to frame the bye-laws , and it vvas ultimately decided that it consist of ihe P . G . S ., the two Principals , the P . G . S . E ., and a representative to be selected by each chapter . Thc P . G . J , proposed a vote of thanks to the Mayor for

granting the use of the Town Hall . This was seconded by the P . G . S . and unanimously agreed to . The Provincial Granel Chapter vvas then closed , and the companions retired to the Golden Lion Hotel , where a sumptuous banquet had been provided . The chair was occupied by the new Provincial Grand Superintendent , supported on his right by Lord Skelmersdale and the

P . G . H ., and on his left by the P . G . J , and M . E . Comp . Binckes , the vice-chair being occupied by M . E . Comp . Sanderson , the P . G . S . N . The first toast , "Thc Queen , " the patroness of thc Order , vvas heartily responded to , as was also the toast of "The Grand Z ., the Prince of Wales , " who , said the P . G . S ., hael excellent qualifications for his high office .

Whenever , in the cause of charity , the necessity for any good act arose , His Royal Highness was always found reatiy to give his assistance . The P . G . S . proposeel "Thc Grand Pro Z ., the Eail of Carnarvon , the Grand H ., Lord Skelmersdale , the Grand J ., Lord De Tabley , and the Past and Present Ofiicers of the Supreme Grand Chapter . " He said he was certain the

toast was one whicli the companions would receive with thc heartiness which its importance tlescrved . To speak of the many excellencies of the Grand Officers vvas superfluous . It vvas well known how deep an interest they one and all took in Masonry . He had seen how Lord Carnarvon , in the absence of the Prince of Wales , worked in Grand Chapter , anel hc was certain no better officer could be

found . Thc great attention and zeal which he displayed were worthy of all praise . With respect to Lorel Skelmersdale , all knew the various duties he undertook , and the vast amount of time he devoted to their performance . To name the various offices hc held would be a task . He was Deputy Granel Master of Englanel , H . of the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons , Deputy Grand

Master of Mark Master Masons , Provincial Grand Superintendent of Royal Arch Masons , and Provincial Granel Master of Mark Master Masons in West Lancashire , Great Prior of Englanel , Past Granel Viceroy of the Oreler of Knights of Rome and of the Red Cross of Constantine , and Grand Commander of thc 33 rd Degree , and was besielcs " Whipper-in " in the House of Lords . ( Cheers . ) Yet with

all these offices requiring attention , his lordship had spared time to come do . vn to honour him and the Provincial Chapter of Suffolk . ( Loud cheers . ) When this list of offices was taken into consideration , he was sure their gratitude to his lordship could not be too heartily expressed . ( Hear , hear . ) Not many years since , when he ( the speaker ) was acting as Secretary of a lodge at thc University ,

Lord S ! : e ! mci-dale vvas initiated , and he then little thought that he would have the pleasure of being installed into the chair of P . G . S . of Suffolk by his lordship . He ( the P . G . S . ) again thanked him heartily for his kindness . ( Cheers . ) Lord Skelmersdale said the toast just proposed was a large one to which to respond—large in numbers , anel large in weight . He would simply endorse , from his heart ,

every word which had been said about Lord Carnarvon . Lorel De Tabley was now getting aged , but he attended to his work as well as any of thc others . With respect to himself he feared the impression in the minds of the companions , after hearing of the offices he helel , was that he was "Jack of all trades , and master of none . " ( No , no . ) He hoped he should not harm Masonry by accepting so

many offices . He felt that great responsibility rested upon him , but with the faith he had in his officers hc thought he should go through all tempestuous storms all right . He wished their new Superintendent the greatest success in the Provincial Chapter . ( Applause . ) He had a toast to propose—one he was sure they woulel receive with the greatest enthusiasm , if proposed anywhere else among

Masons it would be also received the same ; it was "Their Most Excellent the P . G . Superintendent . " The Prince of Wales hael maele an excellent selection in choosing him as their head . ( Applause . ) The toast was received with the usual honours . The P . G . S ., in responding , thanked the companions for so heartily receiving the toast . For some time , he said , it

had been intendeel to have a Provincial Grand Chapter , but for various reasons its inauguration hael been delayed . He very much regretted that their Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Lord Waveney , had not accepted the office , as he fell that as head of the Craft their noble chief should also be head of Royal Arch Masonry . However , Lord Waveney did not feel himself able or wishful to become a R . A ., and had asked him to accept the office , which he

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Suffolk.

consented to elo , although not without some misgivings . His career bad been a fortunate one iu Masonry , considering he vvas greatly maele up of faults and failings —( no , no)—but he always found his friends magnifying his services . He then referred to the difficulty e-xperienccel in selecting his few officers out of such a number of experienced Past Principals . He had , however , endeavoured to

do so without favouritism , and he hoped all would support him , for without their assistance he ' cculd not get on at all . ( Applause . ) The toast of the two Provincial Grand Principals was then given , and responded to by M . E . Comp . York ( the P . G . J ., Comp . Phillips , having been obliged to leave to proceed by train ) , who said he was sorry the task devolved

upon him , as he was but the representative ofthe youngest chapter of the province . The proceedings of the day must have been a source of gratification to all the companions , and he believed the province would not be behind others in its progress in Masonry . ( Hear , hear . ) The P . G . S . proposed " The Health of the Companions who had accepted office . " He woulel couple with the toast

a name which was a household word amongst Masons , that of M . E . Corap . Sanelerson . ( Cheers . ) The P . G . S . N . replied , expressing his determination to emulate the example set him by the proposer in whatever sphere of duty he might be placed . He would always support the P . G . S . fearlessly and loyally , and ventured to promise the like not only in the name of his brother

officers but of the companions of thc province . He hoped to tec Royal Arch Masonry increase in numbers . So long as only such were admitted as the brethren were prepared to sec attaining thc highest offices , if they duly qualified themselves , so long might success be expected , for numerical strength ar . d real efficiency by no means necessarily went together . He believed all would work together in

harmony and brotherly love , and so long as such was the case Royal Arch Masons would continue to prosper . The P . G . S . proposed "The Health of the P . G . S ., Comp . W . H . Lucia . " All knew how zealously he had worked for Masonry , but few knew the immense time he devoted to the work of the Craft in correspondence , and in transacting the general business of his office . He was one who

worked everything himself in lodge , and had laboured heavily for the progress of the Craft generally . He thanked him for the great assistance he had rendered in connection with the establishment eif the Provincial Grand Chapter . ( Cheers . ) Comp . Lucia expressed his obligation for thc compliments paid him that evening , and hopetl to continue to

merit them in the future . As the chapter was young hc would say little this time , but next year , when it would be oleler , he might have further remarks to make . ( Hear , hear . ) The P . G . S . proposeel " Thc Alasonic Charities , " to which Comp . Binckes , the Sccvctaty of the Boys' School , re-ponded . I le referred to the progress of the Benevolent Fund and

the Boys' and Girls' School , to the large expenditure , which was increasing every year ; and he appealed to all to assist the charities . " Thc Visitors " was next proposed by the P . G . S ., and responded to by Comp . T . J . Balling , S . H . 31 , P . G . Sec . of Essex , and Comp . Ritchey , P . S . 5 , 1 . Comp . Railing expressed regret that Essex was not incorporated with Suffolk as one Provincial Grand Chapter . Comp . Ritchey said

that if Essex came out strong with the reejuest to join Suffolk , he trusted that province would be received . The companions then drank to " Thc Next Provincial Grand Chapter , " and the proceedings terminated in time for the visitors to catch the 8 . 40 train . Some excellent songs were given during the evening by Comp . Hitchcock , of Hadleigh . — East Anglian Daily Times .

Consecration Of The Weyside Chapter, No. 1395.

CONSECRATION OF THE WEYSIDE CHAPTER , No . 1395 .

On Tuesday , 26 th Feb ., a goodly number of R . A . Masons went by an early train from London , to meet others of the Fraternity at Woking , and assist the R . W . Grand Superintendent of the Province of Surrey , Lieut . Gen . Brownrigg , C . B ., on the occasion of the opening of

the first Provincial Grand Chapter for Surrey . A few local vehicles had been specially retained to convey the visitors from Woking Station to the quaint inn ( tlie Crown and Anchor ) , where the interesting ceremony vvas to be performed . The chapter having been duly opened by the R . W . P . G . Superintendent , Lieut .-Gen . Brownrigg , C . B . ; Ex . Comps .

Dr . Harcourt , P . Z . 370 ; Rev . T . Martin , P . G . C , P . G . S . Suffolk , acting severally as Z ., H ., and J . The following companions then formcei the procession and entered the chapter : —Comps . the Rev . C . W . Arnold , G . C , Z . designate ; Dr . T . C . Eager , H . designate ; H . W . Charrington , J . designate ; C W . Woodward , J . Woodward . Greenwood , P . G . S . ; Contlin , March , Sugg , J . 452 ; H . E . Frances

Z . 452 , P . P . G . D . ; Rev . Studholme Brownrigg , P . G . C ; Knight Elsam , 185 ; Lorrimer , 370 ; Bottnger , 370 ; J . N . Wilson , 370 ; Magnus Ohren , P . Z ., P . P . G . W . The ceremony of consecrating thc chapter was then gone through with the usual ceremonies observed on such occasions , the Grand Supt . being most impressive in the rendering of his own portion , while thc oration , given by

Comp . Dr . Harcourt , an admirable essay , full of good sense , thoroughly eloquent and instructive , met wilh deserved approbation at the end of the consecration . The chair of Z . was taken by Comp . Dr . Harcourt , who installed the Principals of the new chapter into their several

chairs , viz : Comps . Rev . C . W . Arnold , Z . ; Dr . T . C . Edgar , H . ; II . W . Cherrington , J . Afer the business of the Wayside Chapter had becn disposed of , Comp . Dr . Harcourt took the chair of Z . and obligated Comp . Lieut .-Gen . Brownrigg , P . G . S ., as Prov . Grand Z ., and he having been installed , proceeded to form .

Consecration Of The Weyside Chapter, No. 1395.

his Prov . Grand Chapter , appointing Comps . Contlin , H . and Rev . C . W . Arnold , J . ; whom he also duly obligated . Comp . Greenwood was appointed P . G . S . B . ; Comps . Woodward , P . G . S . N . ; March , P . G . S . ; Price , P . G . Treas . ; Groombridge , P . G . Reg . -, H . Frances , P . G . D . C . ; S . H . Woodward , > . G . St . Br . ; T . W . Sugg , P . G . Sd . Br . ; Dr . Edgar , ist Asst . G . Soj . ; Cherrington , 2 nd

Asst . G . Soj . Some routine business was transacted , and the first Provincial Grand Chapter of Surrey was closed . The companions were invited to the house of Comp . Dr . Eager , where a most recherche' luncheon and warm welcome awaited them . At the conclusion of the repast , which the long ride from Lontlon and sharp country air

enabled the companions to do ample justice to , the usual Masonic toasts were given , " The Healths of the Worthy General and Dr . Harcourt " receiving an ovation , and were briefly though earnestly replied to by those worthy companions . The gallant General having noticed the exquisite taste displayed in the floral decorations of the tables , anel being informed it was the work of the ladies of Dr . Eager ' s

household , he thanked them in the name of the guests , and pledged their healths in a special toast , which was well respondetl to by the companions , and received an - ppreciativc acknowledgement by Comp . Eager . Thc companions broke up at an early hour in the afternoon , having expressed their satisfaction with the arrangements that had been made for them , and with the knowledge that they had spent an instructive and elelightful day .

The Bible—Its Masonic Authority.

THE BIBLE—ITS MASONIC AUTHORITY .

( From the Keystone . ) Masonry lays this volume upon her altar , and on it she obligates ber members . She teaches in her Ritual that "thc Holy Bible is the inestimable gift of God to man . '' Now , if this be true , Masonry docs regard the

Bible as of divine origin—that it came from God , and is of inestimable worth as a priceless gift from Him to His needy creatures . If this be true , Masons shoulel respect the Bible , should read it , and never speak disrespectfully or sneeringly of it . If Masonry thus regarels the Bible , the skepticism which wc sometimes meet with in members of the Fraternity , eloes

not come from the inculcations of Masonry—far from it . But more , Masonry places the Bible among the indispensable articles of furniture with which she decorates a lodge , and without which no lodge can be opened for work . When at work in the E . A . D . it is opened at a certain place in the Psalms ; wherein the F . C , at another place in Amos ; and when on the M . M ., at still another

in Ecclesiastes . Now Masonry is said to be the same the world over . Query : —Suppose the Koran , or a volume of the Bedas , to be substituted for the Bible , at what places would the Deacon open these volumes when at work in thc different degrees ; and when giving the lecture on the E . A ., coming to the furniture of the Lodge , how would he get along with that portion which teaches the candidate

that the Holy Bil-le is the inestimable gift , of God lo man . that on it we take our obligations , & c . ? If Masonry is identical in all paits of the world , is this language to be used in reference to other books than the Bible ? And if so , docs not Masonry indorse the Koran as a revelation from God ? How are these questions to be answered ? But we are told that " Masonry is fountl in all parts of

the world , and among people who never heard of the Bible , and who believe none of its teachings . " How astonishing 1 Wonder if that is really so ? We have heard just such affirmations , quite often , but as yet we have never been convinced of their truthfulness . ^! "hat a few Masonic lodges have been organised among heathen nations is true , but they who organised them were of the civilised ,

Christian nations , and we have no proof that the Bible vvas not there quite as soon as Masonry , and that it prepared the way for our modern speculative or moral Masonry , is quite probable . At least there is no proof to the contrary , or we know of none , save the mere assertions of parties who have read but little , travelled less , anel are illy qualifietl to be witnesses in the premises .

" Who never heard of the Bible , and believe none of its teachings ? " What ? believe none of its teachings ? Then they do not believe in God ; for the existence of one God is a cardinal doctrine ofthe Bible . "In the beginning God created the Heaven and the Earth , " is the very first declaration of that Holy Volume , and he who believes not in God is an atheist , and an atheist cannot be a Mason .

By hypocrisy and falsehood he may so far impose on our brotherhood as to gain admission , kneel at our altar , and take our vows , but in so doing he is false to himself and to Masonry . It is an easy thing for a certain sceptical class tn make such unguarded assertions as the above , when they do not seem to appreciate the full meaning of their declarations . We quite recently heard the Bible

elenounced as a lie by one who had not only taken all the lodge degrees , but also those of the chapter , and presided as W . M ., and at the present time is acting as Secretary of his lodge . We could not but wonder if these brethren esteemed that Order very highly , which makes the biblethe Book of Revelation—our spiritual and Masonic

trestleboard . And when we hear these denunciations of the Bible—the Great Light of Masonry—by those whom our lodges place in offices of honour , we sometimes inquire of ourselves , how long will it be before these leaders will go one step further , and , with Atheistic France , banish both Bible and God from the fraternity . ( To be continued . )

The annual Highland Ball , held under the direction of the Gaelic Society , will be held this year at Willis's Rooms , St . James ' s , on thc Rth of March .