Ancients And Accepted Rite.

Ancients and Accepted Rite .

MANCHESTER . —Jerusalem Chapter oj Antiquity . —A meeting of this chapter of H . M ., K . H . was held at the Manchester Masonic Hall , on Tuesday , the 24 th March , 1874 , under circular to all the thirty members , when the following report , signed by the Past R . G . C . was

adopted , and tbe Chapter and Senate united with the ancient and primitive rite of Masonry , under the title of the Palatine and Jerusalem Chapter of Antiquity No . 2 , thus in augurating a new era . Report : —1 . A Grand Council was held in Paris in 1762 , to ascertain whether the Kadosh

and the Templar were one and the same order , and a resolution to adopt the black and white colours of the Templar Beauseant was adopted in their title and eagle . 2 . The fact that the " Ancient and Primitive Rite of Masonry " derives from the " Primitive Rite of Philadelphes

of Narbonne , " 1779 . 3- The absence of any evidence of the existence of the Templar Order in Great Britain and Ireland previous to 1780 , and the fact that from the earliest time down to 1852 , the connection between the Red Cross and Kadosh Templars was invariable , of which

proof was given in English , Irish , and Scottish documents and rituals , between 1792 and 1840 . 4 . The fact that from 1791 to 1852 all warrants issued in England styled the degree " Grand Elected Knight Templar Kadosh of St . John of Jerusalem , & c" andthatemblems known

only to Kadosh Templars appear upon the certificates , in the ceremony of installation , and upon the old banners of the Jerusalem Encampment'or Conclave used prior to 1835 , eopies of photographs of which were in possession of the R . G . Superintendent . K . The exhibition of the

ritual of the " Ancient and Primitive Rite of Masonry" in the degree of Knight Kadosh , in proof that the symbolism of the old English Templar was known only to members of each degree ofthe A . and P . Rite . The fact that the present Grand Conclave of Knight Templars

had utterly disconnected themselves from any possible progenitors in 1852 , and again in 1872 , in order to ally themselves with a body spurious upon the three counts , and working a forged constitution , styling themselves the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite . Therefore it is resolved

that the members of the " Jerusalem Chapter of Antiquity" H . M ., K . H ., amalgamate and unite their Rose Croix and Kadosh Templar degrees with the same degrees of the " Ancient and Primitive Rite of Masonry" of which the R . G . Supt . is bound ( under the charter of the G . W .

Sanctuary of America , derived from the illustrous Bro . Marconnis de Negre , and the late Marshal Magnan , late Grand Master of the Grand Orient of France ) with such jiowers to give the extraneous degrees as may be mutually agreed between them , the " Royal Grand Council of

Ancient Rites , time immemorial , " and the "Ancient and Primitive Rite of Masonry . " A hope was expiessed that the S . G . C . of the A . and A . Scottish Rite might , by adopting a representative constitution , end further the Masonic squabble .

Red Cross Of Constantine.

Red Cross of Constantine .

EDINBURGH . —St . Giles Conclave , ( No . 103 ) . —The regular monthly meeting of this flourishing conclave was held on Thursday , the 19 th inst ., Em . Sir Kni ght H . E . Jonas , M . P . S ., in the chair , supported by his Viceroy , the Em . Sir Knight D . Shearer , all the officers , and a good

attendance of Sir Knights . The minutes having been read and confirmed , several brethren were proposed as candidates for admission into the Order , and being balloted for were found to be unanimously approved of . The next business was the reception of 111 . Sir Kni ght C . G . C . Christie , attended by Very Eminent Sir Knts . J . B .

Mercer and R . S . Brown , Knights Grand Cross , were received in due form under the Arch of . Steel . The sceptre having been resigned to the 111 . Intendant-General , he graciously returned it to the M . P . S ., and requested him to retain his position and chair , the duties of which he so admirably discharged . The M . P . S . then , in his

Red Cross Of Constantine.

own name and that of the Conclave , tendered a hearty welcome to 111 . Sir Knight Christie , and expressed his thanks to him for this visit , and hoped that it would be frequently repeated . The Intendant-General expressed his gratification with the kind reception he had received , the admirable manner in which the affairs of the

Conclave had been conducted since its commencement , and the great success which had attended their efforts to promote the prosperity of the Order , and it was now his duty to reward the zeal of two worthy members of the Conclave , viz ., Sir Knights W . Barton and J . M .

McPherson by conferring upon them the rank of Honorary Sovereigns of the Conclave . A College of Viceroys was thereupon opened and Sir Knights Barton and McPherson were duly consecrated as Viceroys , and afterwards , in a Senate

of Sovereigns , duly enthroned as Honorary Sovereigns , the ceremonies throughout being conducted by the III . Intendant-General , assisted by the M . P . S ., and Very Eminent Sir Knights ] ' . B . Mercer and R . S . Brown . The Conclave was thereafter closed in ancient form .

Scotland.

Scotland .

FALKIRK . —Lodge St . John ( No . r 6 ) . —A largely attended meeting of the members was held on Tuesday , 9 th March , in the Lodge-room , Burns' Court , Falkirk , for the purpose of presenting Bro . William Snodgrass , the late Secretary , with a gold watch , as a mark of personal esteem and an expression of the appreciation with which his services to the Craft in the

district arc regarded . Bro . John Duncan , the Right Worshipful Master , presided , and having opened the lodge , called upon Bro . Shields , the Past Master , to take the chair . Bro . Shields expressed the pleasure he experienced at being the medium of handing over to Bro . Snodgrass a

substantial token ot the brethren s regard and gratitude . How well Bro . Snodgrass had served the lodge and the cause of Masonry in the district they all . knew . As Secretary of No . 16 , he had shown the liveliest interest in the affairs of the lodge ; and from his intimate and extensive

knowledge of Masonry , and his long experience in lodge-woiking , he had on many occasions enabled them to surmount difficulties which , without his aid , would have put them very much about . As they were all aware , Bro . Snodgrass was in a large measure instrumental in bringing

about the resuscitation ofthe Prov . Grand Lodge . Bro . Shields concluded by presenting the handsome srift to Bro . Snodgrass , along with the best wishes ofthe brethren for his future happiness and success . Bro . Snodgrass , in reply , said : —Ri ght Wor . Master , Worshipful Wardens , and

Brethren—For this unexpected and unlooked-for mark of your respect and esteem I have to thank you one and all . It has been often said that out of the fulness of the heart the mouth speaketh ; but there are seasons when the heart is so full that the mouth cannot give utterance

to the feelings therein contained . Such is my present position . I cannot say that I feel bashful or timid ; but something says to me , " What have you done over and above the other officebearers of the lodge that you should be selected for this ovation ? " Your worthy chairman has

tried to explain the reason for making the presentation ; but still the question comes back with redoubled force—What have you done for the lodge or Masonry , other than your duty . My answer is plain and simple . I have done to the best of my ability , irrespective of position . We

are all aware that a certain duty devolves ' on every office-bearer and member of a lodge ; and it pleased this lodge , before I was long a member , to place me in the honourable position of being its Secretary . That office I accepted , and held up till the last election on St . John ' s Day , when I declined to act longer , in consequence

of intervening circumstances , which would prevent tac from fulfilling my duties to my own satisfaction . During my term of office I tried to the utmost of my ability to fulfil it , and where I have failed it has not been for the want of the will on my part , or the love that I bore to the Craft , andjyour appreciation of my services

Scotland.

is this handsome gift , for which 1 have again to thank you . Much of the praise , however , bestowed on me is due to the harmonious working of the other office-bearers , and especially to your presiding Masters during my term of office , thrasgh their prompt attention to all matters

connected with Lodge or Masonry , which it has been my duty as Secretary to bring before them . These duties have ever been with me a work of Jove to the Craft ; and if my services to promote the welfare and prosperity of the Order has met with your approval , as' it would appear from the

present meeting , I am more than amply rewarded , although there had not been this handsome token to mark it . Ever since I first entered the portals of a Masonic lodge it has been a pleasing duty to me at all times , in whatever position I was placed , to do all that

lay in my power for the prosperity of the lodge with which I was connected and Masonry in general : and since my connection with No . 16 I may say that I have enjoyed myself Masonically more than in any other lodge to which I have affiliated . And so long as I live , I will

endeavour Masonically to merit a continuance of your kind wishes and good opinion . ¦ And when my apron is worn out with tear and wear in the service ofthe Order , and my head grown white with years , may I still enjoy them ; and when the G . A . O . T . U . sends his call to us respectively ,

may we all meet in the Grand Lodge above . I will now close with the hope that-every time I refer to this , your gift , it will- bring vividly to my remembrance your kindness and regard , I and the many happy evenings we have spent together ; and . that as I mark the

moments fleeting on , it may bring to my recollection that this world is only a lodge of preparation and instruction for the Grand'Lodge where we all hope to gain admittance through the one grand pass-word , and my prayer is that you all may be spared for many years to come in the enjoyment of health , strength , happiness , and

prosperity , and that through all and in all pur actions , thoughts , and words , charity , like a golden and silken cord , shall be seen running through the tangled web of life , binding man to his fellow man in indissoluble bonds , and ushering in the dawn of the real golden . age , which , if Masonry be true , lies before rather than behind us , —

Fellow Masons lend your hand To yoiir feeble faltering brother ; Bear in mind the sweet command—Love ye one another . Sow ye seeds of kindly deeds

As on through life you ' re roaming ; Think ye not ' twill be forgot , . Harvest time is coining . , - . Again thanking you all for your kindness . Votes of thanks were awarded to Bros . Shields ,

Warden , and A . Marshall , for their services in connection with the promotion of the testimonial . The watch bears the following inscriptien : — " Presented to Bro . William Snodgrass , by Lodge No . 16 ( Falkirk ) , as a mark of esteem . —March , 1874 . " The lodge was then fcirmally closed .

Masonic Ball In Liverpool.

MASONIC BALL IN LIVERPOOL .

The brethren of the De Grey and Ripon Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons , No . 13 ^ 6 , held their first annual ball on the 18 th inst ., at the Royal Assembly Ro ^ ms , Great George-street , Liverpool , and there is no doubt that from the complete success attending this first merry meeting , it will not be the last which

will be held under the auspices of the brethren of this prosperous and influential lodge . The object in view was not only to afford amusement to those who were present , but there was the further noble object in view of giving substantial assistance to one of the noblest charities of the brotherhood—the West Lancashire Masonic

Educational Institution , which , with its accumulated capital of about £ 10 , 000 , is doing a great and noble work , in a quiet . yet very satisfactory manner . As there were upwards of 130 present at the " De Grey and Ripon " ball , the financial