Royal Arch

Country in the Avorld . The lecturer gave it as his opinion that in a Christian country it seemed difficult to eliminate the Christian country from Masonry 5 and the object of the . hautes grades was to maintain the Christian characteristics and to admit Masons of high social character and

standing to the privilege of their necessarily more exclusi \ e degrees . Brother Holmes stated that much difficulty existed in tracing the origin of the Royal Arch degree . Dr . Oliver thought It did not exist before the middle of the last century ; Avhilst Mackey Avas of opinion that

before the year 1740 the essential element of the Royal Arch constituted a part of the third degree . In America , as formerly in England , it Avas necessary to be as P . AI . before the candidate A \ -as eli gible for the R . A . In Ireland , it Avas the same , and there the degree differed essentially

from our oAvn . In Scotland the candidate must be a Alark Alaster as well a P . M . to be eligible ; and Chapters in Scotland also conferred the degree of Royal Ark Alariner , Avhich is IIOAV given in England under the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters . The Scotch Masons contended

that the Royal Arch , Avith its subsidiary degrees , constituted a part of Templar Alasonry . In the speaker ' s opinion , the Royal Arch degree , like the Rose Croix , Avas very antient ; but he Avas quite Avilling to admit that it took its present form , as Dr . Oliver asserts , about

1740 or 50 . Comp . Holmes remarked , that in these days of utilitarianism , it Avas often asked Avhat Avas the use of Freemasonry , and he suggested as a noble Avork the study of architecture and archaeology , and the restoration by Masons of the churches built by our ancestors .

In speaking of the constitution of Grand Lodge , he declared that the appointments Avere very unsatisfactory to Provincial brethren , for that office Avas almost entirely restricted to London Alasons , Avhilst men like" Lupus , " and Bro . Hughan Avere an ornament to the Craft , and those Avhose research

and learning have done so much for Alasonry Avere left out in the cold . What office he asked had Dr . Oliver ( the most learned Alason of his time ) in Grand Lodge ? AVhat position does Dr . Beaumont Leeson ( I suppose the greatest Alason living ) hold at the present time ? he added . "' I

say that Grand Lodge might very well take a lesson of the Grand Lodge of Alark Alasters , which authorises every lodge under its SAvay to nominate a brother for office . " By this plan Provincial Alasons of worth might hope to attain to the purple , and Grand Lodge would become ,

what it certainl y is not at present , a truly representative body . Those remarks were much applauded . The lecturer concluded b y asserting that a very small portion of Alasonry was learnt in the lodge or chapter , and one must diligently

read the Masonic papers to know anything of the progress of Alasonry . A cordial vote of thanks Avas accorded to Comps . Holmes on the motion of M . E . Comp . Franks , and ordered to be recorded on the minutes . The chapter having been closed the brethren retired for refreshment .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

METROPOLITAN . THE SAMSON AND LION LODGE OP MARK MASTER MASONS , ( NO . 86 ) , held their installation meeting at the Alasons' Tavern , Masons , Avenue , Basinghall Street , on Wednesday , March 20 th 1872 . The lodge being opened by

Bro . Israel Abrahams , P . G . Steward , AV . AI . the minutes of the meeting of February 7 th , 1872 , were confirmed , after Avhich Bro . T . Meggy , P . G . M . O . took the chair , and Bro . J . Abrahams , P . G . Steward ( AV . M . ) presented Bro . S . Pollitzer , AV . M . elect , to the AV . AI . to receive at his hands the benefit of installation , which ceremony Avas

done in such an able manner as to elicit the applause of the brethren present , and a vote of thanks Avas carried unanimously to Bro . Meggy , P . G . AI . O . for the able and efficient manner he installed the W . Al . elect in the chair . Bro . Pollitzer W . AL then nominated his officers as folloAvs . Bros . W . Littaur , S . AV . ; J . L . Rosenthal , J . AV . ; S . Funkensteiu , M . O ; AI . Emanuel , S . O . ; E .

Stanton Jones , J . O . ; J . Faulkner , S . D . ; AI . D Loewenstark , J . D . ; Victor M . Myers , I . G . ; E

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Danziger , Dir of Cers . ; Meyer A . LdCAVe ' iistarkj Secretary . Bro . A , D . Loewenstark Avas unanimously re-elected Treasurer , also Bro . Laiiig as Tyler . Bro . Pollitzer , W . AL then rose and said he had a very pleasing duty to perform , Avhich Avas to present Bro . Israel Abrahams , P . AI . with

a Past Alasters jeAvel , to mark the kind and courteous manner in which he had presided over them as W . AL the previous twelve months , and hoped he Avould live long to Avear it , and come among them as often as possible to give them the benefit of his able services for the A \ elfare of the lodge .

Bro . J . Abrahams , P . AI . in returning thanks said , he Avould feel a great pleasure in adding another jewel to his breast among many others , and trusted he Avould always have the respect and esteem of the members as lie always endeavoured to promote the interests of the lodge as far as lay

in his power . Bro . Pollitzer , AV . AI . having stated that he had received a letter from Bro . Meyer . A . LoeAvenstark , Hon . Secretary , ( who is staying at Bournemouth for the benefit of his health ) , excusing his non-attendance in consequence of illness , it Avas resolved unanimously that a letter

should be sent to Bro . Meyer A . Loewenstark expressive of their deep and heartfelt sympathy , and of sincere hopes for his perfect recovery from his illness , Avhich letter to the AV . AI . announced he Avould have much pleasure in Avriting , in the

name ofthe lodge . After some other business the loage Avas closed , and the brethren sat doAvn to a beautiful banquet which was provided with the usual skill and taste of Bro . Gosden , the energetic manager of " Alasons' Tavern " and Avhich the brethren enjoyed Avith great satisfaction .

LANCASHIRE ( WEST . ) PRESTON . —The Birchall . Lodge of Alark Masters ( No . 143 , ) held their first meeting after consecration , on Alonday , the 25 th inst ., at the Bull Hotel , Preston , the W . AL , Bro . Col . Birchall in the chair , assisted by Bro . Alajor AVilson , the S . W ., and other officers in their respective

places . The lodge Avas opened at 3 . 30 , and the minutes of the last lodge Avere read and confirmed . A ballot Avas taken for twenty-five brethren to be advanced , Avhich Avas declared to be unanimous , in favour of their election . Sixteen of the candidates beinsr in attendance , Avere

advanced to the degree of AI . AI . AI . b y Bro . Thomas ] Hargreaves , P . AL , Blair 113 , P . Prov . G . D ., Lancashire . The other visitors present being Bros . Joseph Handley , AI . AI . AI ., Alfred Alark Lodge , No . 136 ; J . Halliwell , S . D . ; and W . Handley , ] . ]) ., Callender Alark Lodge , No .

123 , also assisted in the ceremony . Bro . John Walker was unanimously elected Treasurer for the ensuing year . The AV . AI . proposed five more candidates for advancement at the next lodge . A petition was drawn up and signed in lodge ,

praying for a AVarrant to hold a lodge at Lancaster , to be called the Aloore Lodge . Bro . Dr . Aloore to be the first Alaster . Business being finished , the lodge Avas closed in harmony at 6 p . m . The brethren afterwards sat down to ban . quel .

SUFFOLK . IPSWICH . —Albert Victor Lodge ( No . 70 . )—The quarterly meeting of this lodge was held at the Alasonic Hall , Ipswich , on Alonday the 18 th inst . Present : Bro . Rev . R . N . Sanderson , P . AI . AL , P . G . Chap ., Acting AV . AI . in the absence of Bro . Emra Holmes , Bros . 1 . Townsend ,

Acting S . W . ; G . S . Golding , Acting f . AV . ; Dr . Beaumont , R . N . AI . G . ; P . Cornell , ' S . O . ; Calthorpe , J . O . ; AV . T . AVestgate , AI . C . ; C . Davy , I . G . ; C . T . Townsend , P . G . D ., Secretary , Acting Deacon , & c , & c . The lodge being opened , the brethren proceeded to

ballot for the following brethren for advancement , viz . : — Bros . George Abbott , of the Prince of Wales Lodge , No . 959 ; Arthur John Grinnvade of the A'irtue and Silence Lodge , Hadleighs Thomas Stewart , William Lewis Jones , Charles Fletcher , Joseph Redding , John Harrison , Jame ,

Potter , Thomas AVoodford , and Alexander Davidson , ofthe United Lodge , No . 679 , Colchester ; John Barton and Benjamin Baxter , Angel Lodge , Fo . 51 , Colchester ; Moses Cohen , Prince of Wales Lodge , No . 958 ; William King , United Lodge , No . 6 97 , Colchester ; and Rev . Augustus Moore , Lodge British Union , No . 114 , The

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brethren being present , Avith IAVO exceptions , they Were introduced , obligated and advanced to the honaurable degree of Mark Masters , the ceremony being ably performed by Bro . Sanderson . The brethren aftenvards retired for refreshmerit .

Scotland.

Scotland .

ROXBURGH .

HAAVICK . — -St . John ' s ( 111 ) . —The fortnightly meeting of this lodge Avas held on Friday , 23 rd February , when nine new members Avere initiated , and seven more proposed . It Avould appear as if the impovement movement inaugurated in the Grand Lodge of Scotland , of raising the fees , was

having the effect of flooding our lodges Avith applicants for membership , AVIIO Ave might almost say , are passed promiscuously , and Avithout that necessary inquiry | into character and reputation so . necessary to the Avelfare of the Craft , and Avhich our Grand Lodge have , so conviently

foster by permitting only two weeks beAveen the candidate being proposed , and receiving his first degree . That this is a state of matter greatly to be deplored , is mainly owing to the negligence of the Grand Lodge , and Avhat interest is their to such brethren , ( if I may term them so ) , to

uphold the honour and credit of a lodge , or strengthen the hands of the Grand Lodge officers , Avhen their only aim is curiosity to know the secrets of the Brotherhood , and gain admittance to an Order Avhich offer such inducements as Alasonry . The brethren of England ought seriously to call

the attention of our Scotch Grand Lodge to this matter ; for how can the order flourish , or their benevolence extend , Avhen the Avorking men AVIIO form the great bulk of the brotherhood spend in anti Alasonic conviviality , the little spare pocketmoney that ought to be applied to very different

purposes . i \ o wonder our Grand Lodge debt is a standing memorial against us of the unmasonic proclivities of that class in Scotland AVIIO alone can give tone to the Craft ; keep it within proper bounds , and give it that flourishing aspect Avhich it at present wants . No doubt , what is required amongst the sister Lodges is fees advanced to

three or five guineas ; committee of inquiry into character of every candidate ; admittance only by ballot ; and a tenth at any time sufficient to blackball a candidate , one month ' s interval between proposing and initiation ; emergency cases to be specially provided for . The foregoing is somethinir like what the Craft in Scotland

require ; and if the Grand Lodge have not nerve to deal promptly with these matters , " a new broom sweeps clean , " and may be even sought for earlier than anticipated .

GLASGOW . UNION LODGE ( No . 332 ) . —A meeting of this lodge Avas held in the lodge-room , 170 , Buchananst ., on the 18 th ult ., Brother Robert Mitchell , R . W . M ., in the chair . The lodge being opened on the E . A . degree , a letter was read by the Secretary from the R . W . M ., tending his

resignation , which was accepted , Brother James B . Alacnair , Part S . Warden , and James Balfour , P . AL , were nominated to the office of Master . The lodge Avas then advanced to the degree of Al . AL , Avhen the R . AV . M . requested Bro . T . M . Campbell , P . AL , 408 , and Prox . M . 4 8 9 , to

assist . Bro . AVatt , of the Torpichen Lodge , Bathgate , No . 13 , along Avith Bros . McKirdy and Olven , of 333 , were raised to the sublime degree of Alaster Alason . Brother Campbell performed the ceremony in his usual masterl y style . The lodge then proceeded to election of

R . W . M . The candidates having retired , the votes being called , there voted for Bro . Macnair twenty-six , and for Balfour eight , being a majority for Alacnair of eighteen votes . He Avas then called to the altar . After answering the

usual formula , the oath Avas administered , and he was invested with the jeAvel and badge of office , and installed into the chair . A short time Avas spent in harmony , and the lodge was closed by the R . W . M , elect .