Supreme Grand Chapter Of England.

logical way out of the difficulty . He wished it to be distinctly understood that he was now of the same opinion that he should have expressed if the present had been the May convocation , because he could not have Grand Chapter stultified . And that was his d Oiculty . He could not say to Grand Chapter " You did absolutely wrong in May , I now , in November , ask you to revoke it ; " that would have the effect of getting them the character of a

vacillating body ; they did rightly or wrongly , that the effect of that was that the Articles 26 to 32 ( except 27 ) as applying to every Province and District . To prevent mistakes they must at the first opportunity get rid of any doubt , and it was for that purpose he had brought before Grand Chapter a proposal that something be added to Regulation 43 . In order that the companions might thoroughly understand what it was or what the

effect of those words should be he would read Regulation 43 as it stood : " Provincial and District Grand Chapters are to be subject to the same laws as are laid down for the government of the Supreme Grand Chapter , so far as the same are applicable , except when a different regulation is expressly declared . " He proposed to get rid of the difficulty by saying it should be declared not to be applicable to Provincial or District

Grand Chapters ; if they were now applicable , it should be declared that they would no longer be applicable . The Deputy Grand Mas ' er if a R . A . Mason was to be Second Grand Principal . They knew how it worked in Supreme Grand Chapter . Take a Province as Provinces and Districts were identical . The Deputy Grand Master might happen to be a R . A . Mason and jet not having R . A . Masonry at heart—for he had seen Royal Arch

Masons who weie rather inimical to R . A . Masonry when they weie in certain positions—let them say for a moment that the Provincial Grand Master and the Provincial Grand Superintendent were two distinct persons , the Provincial Grand Master not being R . A . appointed as his Deputy a brother who was ; if Regulation 26 was to be applicable , and to remain applicable , this result would follow—that a Deputy Provincial Grand Master

, who was a permanent officer , would be permanent Provincial H ., and the Grand Superintendent had no voice in the matter . That could not be meant , and was not meant now . Therefore , he asked Supreme Grand Chapter to put a slop to that anomalous state of things . He did not include Regulation 27 , because it was already protected by Regulation 37 . The G S . E . cught to be the Grand Secretary , provided he is a Royal

Arch Mason ; he was a permanent officer , and if he was an Installed First Principal he became the permanent S E . in Provincial Grand Chapter , and the Grand Superintendent could not help himself . That could not have been intended originally , and he would ask Grand Chapter to declare so . The Grand Registrar the same . Supreme G . Chapter was not a legislative body , as Grand Lodge was in the Craft . Provincial Grand Lodges and

Chapters were not , and they had not the advisory officers that United Grand Lodge and Supreme Grand Chapter had , and the conditions were most different . He thought he had sufficiently explained the reasons for his motion ; he had no desire to place any reflection on any officer who spoke on a former occasion , or on what Grand Chapter said upon it . He did not agree with certain views expressed ; those who expressed them did

so honestly believing that Article 43 did apply . He had the approval of the Grand Registrar , who did give a certain opinion on a former occasion , and he had indicated to him that he still held the same opinion . He ( Comp . Strachan ) took ( he same view as he formerly did , and he did rot censure anyone who had another view . He asked Grand Chapter to take the fraternal view . Comp . A . C . CIIAVIK , Prov . G . D . C . Dorset , seconded the mction .

Comp . THOMAS FENN , G . S . N ., said the principal objection he had to make to this motion was that it would be an unnecessary addition to the Regulations , which he maintained were perfectly clear and intelligible , and required no alteration or addition . II it were put in the form of a declaration of Grand Chapter , this objection would be removed . He thought the object of the mover would be equally attained by a declaratory resolution such as

the following : "It is hereby declared that Regulations 26 , 28 29 , 30 , 31 , and 32 are not applicable to the appointment of Provincial or District Grand Officers , and that , therefore , Grand Superintendents who have appointed Provincial or District Grand Registrars , or other officers who may not have been appointed to similar offices in the Provincial or District Grand Lodge

have acted strictly in accordance with the law . " That would upset any supposed idea that the resolution in May confirmed in the following August endorsed at all the views which might have been expressed . He believed that if Comp . Strachan would adopt this he would be thoroughly supported . If Comp . Strachan did not accept it he ( Comp . Fenn ) would be prepared to move it as an amendment .

Comp . STRACHAN , after reading and considering the propositions , said it was immaterial to him which way it wai , He accepted it as a declaratory resolution . It had always been his opinion that the appointments referred to had been strictly in accordance with the law . Comp . HEELIS objected . It was a distinct violation of the law . He was a Provincial Grand Registrar himself . The resolution of Grand Chapter was correct . He was prepared to support the original motion , but not the proposition of Comp . Fenn .

Comp . LE FEUVRE asked whether the resolution was withdrawn and the amendment accepted ? Comp . BEACH , acting G . Z ., said the second was agreed to . The object was to have a distinct understanding whether Article 43 applied to District or Provincial Grand Chapters or not . It might be held , and a good many might hold , that the words— " So far as applicable "—made a limit , and it

was not necessary they should apply to District or Provincial Grand Chapters . But as some misunderstanding had taken place on things some of the provinces had done , although it did not appear whether according to law or not , it was thought right that some governing word should be introduced . It seemed to him that this resolution , as amended by Comp . Fenn , would carry out the wishes of Grand Chapter . The resolution , as amended , having been read by Comp . Strachan ,

Comp . LEOI-OLD G . GORDON ROIIHINS objected , and supported the decision cf the Deputy Giand Registrar- May and August Grand Chapter came to a conclusion afier full consideration and debate . The decision

was one not to be lightly withdrawn . He therefore proposed that the Ori ginal resolution stand . Comp . HEELIS seconded . Comp . S . R . BASKETT agreed with Comp . Fenn . He agreed , however , J * ith Coir p . Straihaii that Grand Chapter was stultif ) ing itself if it said it had made a mistake . They wanted to know what was the correct reading « the law . He hoped Grand Chapter would throw out the resolution as unanimousl y as possible .

Supreme Grand Chapter Of England.

Comp . R . HoimiN SMITH , Q . C , Dep . G . Reg ., said he had considered the subject ever since May and he was more convinced than ever that the rule he then laid down was perfectly rig ' u . At the sime time he quite admitted that Grand Chipter in confirming tha dismissal of the appeal were not bound by the reasons he had given . Comp . Fenn and he agreed that it was right the appeal should be dismissed . In August last he ( Comp .

Horton Smith ) sa'd " I do not admit that the law has been incorrectl y laid down . " " It is said that custom is against the view which I took . It is not for the Registrar or Deputy Grand Registrar , Law officers of the Craft , if I may be allowed the expression , to say what the law should be . Our business is to ( ell you what the law is . And if custom and law are at variance , one or the other must give way . If you think in the present

matter that custom is better than the law as laid down — although the District Grand Registrar of the Punjab advances reasons for doubting whether that is altogether so—then . t would be well to amend , or , at any rate , make pla- ' n the law . This can be done , if thought desirable , if some excellent companion will send under Rules 7 and

8 of the Royal Arch Regulations to the G' -and Scribe K . a notice of motion for the next Grand Chapter to add to Rule 30 ' some such words as these : "The limitation on the power of the First Grand Principal imposed by Rules 2 S and 30 shall not spply to Grand Superintendents . " The result was that Comp . Strachan had brought forward his motion .

After a reply from Comp . STRACHAN , the motion , as amen Jed , was carried , and the second motion of Comp . Strachan was , after discussion , put and lost . Comp . J . E . LE FEUVRE , Past Grand Sword Bearer , moved—That the following words be re-introduced in the General Reguhtion * previous to No . 12 : "Regulations for the government of the Supreme Grand Chapter during the time of public business . " Comp . THOMAS FENN seconded the resolution , which was put and carried .

Comp . SAMUEL R . BASKETT , P . P . G . Reg . Dorset , next moved — That whereas a question has arisen as to the true construction of No . 43 of the General Regulations , it is hereby resolved and declared that Regulation 43 relates only to the government of Provincial and District Grand Chapters during the time of public business , and does not apply , and never has applied ,

to the appointment of Provincial and District Grand Officers . This was seconded by Comp . THOMAS FENN , but after some discussion , in which Comps . J GLASS , J STKACHAN , Q . C , THOMAS FENN , and S . R . BASKETT took part , it was withdrawn , and Grand Chapter was then closed .

Bicentenary Of The Opening Of St. Paul's Cathedral.

BICENTENARY OF THE OPENING OF ST . PAUL'S CATHEDRAL .

The following circular has been issued : The Dean and Chapter of St . Paul ' s have determined to celebrate the Hi-Centenary of the opening of Wren's Great Cathedral , by holding , on Thursday , December 2 nd next , with the sanction and approval of the Jl . W . G . M ., a Masonic Service there , at 3 . 30 p . m ., in acknowledgment of the tradition that Wren was a Freemason , Master of the Lodge of Antiquity , and that most of thewoikmen were also members of the Craft .

The M . W . the Grand Master will be properly represented on the occasion It is expected that most of the Grand Officers will be able to attend , accompanied by a large number of Prov . Grand Masters and Past Grand Officers . The Lord Bishop of London will preach the sermon . The Lord Mayor and Sheriffs will attend in State .

I have the honour to invite your lodge to attend by its representatives on thn occasion , and to ask how many tickets you will require , and for whom , as it is important to know how many we may expect , and of what rank . We can seat about 5000 in the Cathedral . It is proposed that the offertory should be lor the purpose of enabling

Freemasons . as a body to take a distinct share in the completion of Wren ' s great work by decorating a panel or bay with mosaics ( with an inscription to record the fact ) , according to the scheme now being carried out under the direction of Sir W . B . Richmond , R . A ., K . C . B . It is requested that the enclosed form may be filled up and returned to the Hon . Sec . not later than the 22 nd inst .

A dispensation has been obtained for brethren to appear in Craft clothing and jewels . Masters of lodges , Past Masters , and Wardens will wear light blue collars . Present and Past Provincial Grand Officers are at liberty to wear Provincial

collars . Full directions as to the service will be printed on the tickets . A large number of influential brethren have been invited to form a Committee for carrying out the necessary arrangements ( with power to add to their number ) , most of whom have already expressed their pleasure in serving .

Provincial Grand Lodge Of West Yorkshire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF WEST YORKSHIRE .

The half-yearly meeting of the above Prov . Grand Lodge was held at the Saltaire Institute , Shipley , on the 20 th ult . There was a large attendance , the Prov . Grand Master , presiding . Past ( Jubileeyear ) honours were conferred upon Bros . Wm . Watson , 61 , and J . Harrison , 310 , who received

collars as Prov . G . Wardens ; J . T . Last , 23 , 51 , that of Prov . G . Registrar ; H . Telford , 3 S 7 , Charles Stokes , 1239 , 255 s , Wm . Flockton , 10 4 2 , and J . L . Brayshaw , 2091 , those of Prov . G . Deacons ; J . H . Bolton , 1 736 , Prov . G . S . of W . ; A . Armitage , 521 , Prov . G . D . of C ; and VV . Isherwood , 750 , that of Prov . G . Std . Br .

On the motion of Bro . the Rt . Hon . W . L . J ACKSON , seconded b y Bro . W . C . LII ' TON , too guineas was voted to further endow the Prov . Grand Master's chair in commemoration of the Centenary of the Foundation of the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys . Provincial By-laws , as revised by a Committee appointed for that purpose , were approved and adopted .

Bro . I . UI ' TON next moved ' ¦ That it be a recommendation to the Provincial Grand Master that the Secretarial offices of Provincial Grand Lodge be removtd from Wakefitld to L ' . eds . "