Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Devonshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF DEVONSHIRE .

The annual meeting of the above Provincial Grand Mark Lodge was held at the Masonic Temple , Princess-square , Plymouth . Bro . Sir Stafford Northcote , Bart ., C . B ., M . P ., P . G . M ., presided , and was supported by a large number of Prov . Grand Officers and visitors . The PROV . GRAND SECRETARY repoJted that all the brethren appointed to office at the last Provincial Grand Lodge had assumed their rank and

paid their fee of honour . Having referred to default on the part of the Secretaries of two lodges , Bro . Stocker said there had been 5 6 advancements during the past year . The total number of subscribing members in the province was 498 as against 50 S last year . The number did not include those brethren who had been returned as in arrear . After referring to a generous action on the part of the Provincial Grand Master , Bro . Stocker expressed a

hope that the action of Sir Stafford Northcote in his endeavour to loyally preserve the fair fame of Mark Masonry in Devonshire , would stimulate every individual of the Order in the province to study more closely the constitutions of the Degree as published by Grand Lodge , the by-laws which had been adopted by the Provincial Grand Lodge , and to act in strict

conformity with the rules laid down therein , as well as to conform to the by-laws which had been adopted by the brethren in their respective lodges . In conclusion , he suggested and strongly urged upon Worshipful Masters the desirability and importance of having the provincial by-laws as well as the by-laws of their own lodge read in open lodge at least once during their year of office .

The PROV . GRAND MASTER said he regrettedito say he did not regard the past year as a satisfactory one . The report was then adopted . TheJPRov . GRAND TREASURER reported a balance in hand of £ 28 ys ., and it was resolved to vote £ 15 155 . to the Maik Benevolent Fund , to be placed on the list of Bro . John Taylor , who was going to act as one of the Stewards , and , £ 10 ios . to the Fortescue Annuity Fund .

Bro . F . CROUCH proposed that Bro . George Dunsterville , who had proved himself a thorough Mason in every sense of the word , be elected Prov . Grand Treasurer .

Bro . STOCKER seconded the resolution , and The PROV . GRAND MASTER paid a warm tribute to Bro . Dunsterville ' s abilities and capabilities as a Mason . The resolution was carried unanimously . Bros . F . Crouch and John Parker were elected Auditors .

The Prov . Grand Master then appointed and invested the following brethren as his officers for the ensuing year : Bro . G . Strode Lowe , P . M . 50 ... ... D . P . G . M . „ John Lane , P . M . 319 , P . G . O . Eng . ... Prov . S . G . W . „ J . Kinton Bond , P . M . 50 ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ W . H . Dillon , P . M . 50 ... ... Prov . G . M . O . „ A . W . Oakley , P . M . 372 ... ... Prov . S . G . O . „ C . J . Withell , P . M . 38 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . O . „ Rev . W . French , 1 S 7 ... ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ Geo . Dunsterville , P . M . 35 , P . P . G . S . of Wks ... Prov . G . Treas . „ A . E . Maddock , P . M . 169 ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ Hy . Stocker , P . M . 15 , P . G . D . Eng . ... Prov . G . Sec . „ A . Roberts , P . M . 383 ... ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ John Lark , P . M . ifi ... ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ J . R . Gill , P . M . 43 S ... ... ... Prov . G . I . of W . „ J . Gould , 15 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ S . Yeomans , W . M . 76 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ E . Aslat , P . M . 66 ... ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ C . Gulley , P . M . 100 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ John Riddle , W . M . 48 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . ,, John Parker , W . M . 35 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . Sec . „ J . E . Weale , W . M . 383 ... ... Prov . G . I . G . „ Dr . Grimbly , 215 ... ... ... } „ E . Movie , 187 ... ... ... [ Prov . G . Stewards . „ S . Richards , 2 3 ... ... ... ) ,, James Gidley , P . M . 169 ... ... Prov . G . Tyler . The Prov . Grand Lodge having been duly closed , the brethren dined together in the club , Sir Stafford Northcote presiding .

The St. Andrew's Chapter, Boston, U.S.A.

THE ST . ANDREW'S CHAPTER , BOSTON , U . S . A .

This celebrated Chapter , one of the oldest and most important organisations of the kind in the world , was at work so early as 17 G 9 , and possibly still earlier . Its Centenary was celebrated on September 29 th , 1 S 69 , and its One Hundred and twenty-fifth Anniversary on September 5 th , 1 S 94 , two volumes having been published as souvenirs of these events in due course , and the History of the Chapter was written and published in 18 S 3 by the late Bro . Alfred F . Chapman , who was then the Secretary .

As with St . Andrew ' s Lodge in the same City , great interest is taken in the welfare of the Chapter , by , students of Royal Arch Masonry in both the new and the old World , and all the more because of the extraordinary character of the earlier Records , the important services rendered by many of its honoured and lamented members , and the zeal and intelligence of its present Companions , who are determined to carry on the good work so ably promoted by their illustrious predecessors .

The first volume issued was most interesting , the second was a credit to its author , but the last is the best of all the trio , and makes a most handsome and valuable work , which assuredly will be highly prized by all those who have been fortunate enough to receive presentation copies . First , as to the illustrations , the frontispiece is an excellent portrait of Bro . Or . Seranus Bowen , who is the H . P . of the Chapter , as well as the Grand Secretary of the Grand Chapter of Massachusetts . I welcome

" myself most gladly as the face of a true friend ; another being a reall y artistic portrait of Bro . Warren B . Ellis , the energetic Secretary of the Chapter and orator at the Celebration . The reproduction of the invitation circular of Sept . 5 th , 1894 , with the official seal , is very well done , and the P'ate of the obverse and reverse of the commemorative medal is most artistic an d attractive . It is of bronze , the obverse having three equilaterial triang les within a trefoil , the circular tablet with St . Andrew's cross covering l » e point of their union . Legend ; " 125 th Anniversary " ( above ) and " 1764-

The St. Andrew's Chapter, Boston, U.S.A.

1 S 94 ( below ) . The reverse , I presume , represents the seal of the chapter , and bears the ark of the Covenant , with the usual supporters , and the date of the earliest meeting , August 121 I 1 1769 . Legend : "St . Andrew ' s Royal Arch Chapter" ( above ! and "Boston ; Mass " ( below ) . The medal is attached to a scarlet ribbon , and is an effective and appropriate decoration . The chapter was an offshoot , practically , of the St . Andrew ' s Lodge , which was warranted on November 13 th 1756 , by the Grand Lodge of

, Scotland . The date is not registered in the books at Edinburgh , but the number is entered as Si . ( understand , however , that the warrant was numbered 82 , and that 81 was given to another Scottish lodge , at Blandford , Virgin i a . This arrangement is likely to be thc correct one , as the charter of the Virginia lodge was dated March 9 th , 1756 , according to the 1836 edit . Constitutions Grand Lodge of Scotland , being thus the senior of the two .

The memorable celebration began at one p . m ., on Wednesday , the 5 th of September , when the ordinary routine business was transacted , the special proceedings commencing one hour later , when a distinguished company assembled in honour of the occasion , including the G . G . H . P . of the United

States ( Bro . G . L . McCahan ) , and other representatives of the General Grand Chapter ; the Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts , accompanied by the esteemed Grand Secretary , Bro . Sereno D . Nickers ™ ; Bro . C . C . Dame , P . G . M . ; and other members of the Grand Lodge , Sec .

The chair was most elliciently occupied by Dr . Seranus Bowen , the H . P ., who with dignity , ability and zeal , conducted the meeting most successfully throughout , and whenever necessary was ever ready with appropriate observations which added much to the interest of the assembly .

Tne warrant of the lodge ( which was granted by the Grand Chapter , bore date 14 th Feb ., 5800 , precedence being admitted from 28 th Aug ., 1769 ) , having been destroyed by fire on April 5 th , 1 S 64 , only a copy now exists , which was duly read by Bro . T . Waterman , P . H . P .

Dr . Uowen introduced one worthy after another , in neat speeches , the responses being of a high order , but the part which concerns me mo » t was the oration by Bro . Warren B . Ellis , who " has long taken a deep interest in everything pertaining to masonic history . " A full report is inserted of this remarkable address , which is one of the best productions of the kind I have ever read . In fact , I know of none better , and few so good , the general history of the Royal Arch Degree being so accurately

described , and the particulars of the eventful career of the Chapter being so aptly chosen , attractively presented and lucidly explained . The orator said most truly that " No one who would study the history of the Chapter Degrees , or trace their development from the birth of the Royal Arch to the perfected American system of lo-day , can fail to be interested in the record of the old chapter . " Bro . Ellis considers the Degree may

fairly be dated back to 1740 , and fortifies his decision with extracts from reliable works . He lays particular sires ? , as he should do , on the earliest existing Royal Arch records known , viz ., those of Lodge No . 4 , Fredericksburg , Virginia , of 1753 . and mentions others of the same decade and later , traced in England and America . His exposure of the fallacy of crediting

Dermott with the fabrication of Royal Arch Masonry is most refreshing , but I do not think he was quite so happy as to the origin of the " Ancients " in this country , as one would infer from his words that the Grand Lodge was formed in 1738 , whereas it was not until 1751 . Possibly he was misled by so much being made by some writers of revolts in 1738-9 , their extent being absurdly magnified .

I quite think with him that the chapter was due to the presence of the Army lodges in Boston in 176 9 ( and earlier ) , who made possible the establishment of the lodge as well as the chapter . Those concerned in the start of the chapter were No . 5 S , "Ancients , " in the 14 th Foot , of A . D . 1759 ; No 106 , Duke of York , 64 th Regiment , Grand Lodge of Scotland , of 1761 ; and No . 322 , of the 29 th , Grand Lodge of Ireland . The Mister of the

chapter August 18 th , 1769 , belonged to the 29 th Regiment , and so did the S . W . and J . W . On the 28 th of the same month William Davis , a P . M . of No . 58 ( i 4 th Foot ) received the "four step > , that of an Excell ' -Sup . Excell ' . Roy 1 Arch and K' Templar , " termed later on , " the four Degrees of a Royal Arch Mason . " This is the earliest known minute of the conferring ol the Knights Templar and of the " four steps " being thus grouped . Evidently there was

no warrant granted in 1769 for working these Degrees , and no authority either , save the reasonable desire of brethren informed as to Royal . Arch Masonry wishing to make the Degrees known . The application to Scotland in 1762 , and later , failed to secure such authority officially , for the simple reason that the Grand Lodge did not recognise the ceremony , neither did Ireland then , the only organisation that did being the " Ancients " of England .

1 he regular Grand Lodge of England uniformly declined to adopt thess extra ceremonies , but from the seventh decade of the last century , many of its members supported ^ Royal Arch Masonry , and from 176 7 had a Royal Arch Grand Chapter of their own , their first subordinates being warranted in-the same year as the records of the St . Andrew ' s Chapter bsgin .

The Knight Templar is not mentioned in the Records of St . Andrew ' s between 176 9 and 17 S 9 , but I see no reason to suppose it was not worked ad interim .

Bro . Ellis says the meetings were not called Chapters until 1 792 , and the name of St . Andrew's is not noted until 1797 . A grand plate for the summonses was authorised in 1790 and still exists , one of the impressions appearing in Bro . Chapman ' s History of the Chapter . The emblems are most tastefully and suggestively arranged for Royal Arch and Knights Templar Masonry .

Ihe Mark is not mentioned until 1792 , and the Knight lemplar appears to have been transferred to the Boston Commandery about two years subsequently . We have Records in England of the Mark Degree so early as 1769 , under the wing of Bro . Thomas Dunckerley , thanks to Bro . Howell ' s researches and duly noted in his magnificent History of No . 257 , Portsmouth . The old Mark plate under " No . 82 , Sanction , " Boston , was ordered in 1793 , and a true copy is given in Bro . Chapman ' s work aforesaid .

But I must forbear to say more , or quote at length from this extremely interesting oration . An original ode was composed , and sung by the Temple Quartette , a special poem by Bro . Fairbanks was read , and several of the letters from absent friends were mentioned , some being given in full . The By-Laws are printed , and so the Roll of its present members , over 5 S 0 in number . The volume undoubtedly is a great credit to all concerned in its production . W . J . HUGHANi