Provincial Grand Royal Arch Chapter Of East Lancashire.

PROVINCIAL GRAND ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER OF EAST LANCASHIRE .

The annual meeting of this chapter was held in the Town Hall , Blackburn , on Thursday , the 29 th ult . The R . W . G . Superintendent , Col . Le Gendre N . Starkie , presided , supported by Comps . J . H . Sillitoe , P . G . H ., P . A . G . D . C ; Abraham Clegg , P . G . J . ; G . P . Brockbank , Past G . Std . Br . ; W . Goodacre , P . G . S . E . West Lanes ., Past G . Std . Br . ; and about

100 other companions , amongst whom were—Comps . R . Nelson , P . Z . 12 ( 5 , P . P . G . Std . Br . j VV . Davis , Z . 54 ; VV . R . Sowter , P . Z ., S . E . 815 ; J . McEwen , 815 ; J . Comfort , J . 128 ; J . Sudren , P . Z . 204 , 935 , and 1045 ; Jas . Heelis , H . 62 ; N . A . Earle , 62 ; W . J . Cunliffe , P . Z . 317 ; Jas . Mc Laren , Z . 62 ; R . Harrison , P . Z . 126 ; W . Forrest , 37 ; Jas . Brown , Z . 37 ; H . T . Platts , 345 ; Jas . Heap , P . Z . 34 s ; H . Croasdale , 345 ; W . Tattersall , 345 ; VV

Beattie , 345 ; G . H . Holt , 345 ; j . D . Blackburn , 345 ; G . H . Openshaw , 345 ; T . P . Willson , 345 ; S . B . Priestley , H . 219 ; J . Chalmers , 815 j John Kenypn , H . 348 ; Thos . Pickle . * , 300 ; | . Halden , S . E . 152 ; 'jno . Nuttal ] , Z . 2 S 6 ; S . Howarth , 345 ; W . Garsden . VV . S . Weeks , 369 ; E . G . Harwood , Z . 221 ; J . F . Skelton , Z . 348 ; R . Johnson , P . S . 348 ; W . Whally . 345 ; Thos . Schoficld , P . Z . and S . E . 2 S 8 ; S . Gregson , 345 ; E . Knowles , P . Z . 462 ; Fred . R . Cooper , Z . 1055 ; R . Gorton , 266 ; J .

Townsend , 116 , P . P . G . S . B . ; Jas . Corney , H . 325 ; H . Paulden , Z . 204 ; Jno . Cliffe , H . 204 ; Chas . Hargreaves , 32 s ; James VVilson , P . Z . 317 ; J . W . Edwards , Z . 317 ; Wm . Nicholl , P . Z . 317 ; Walter Newton , P . Z . 26 S ; Wm . Cooper , P . Z ., S . E . 34 S ; Thos . Lonsdale , 34 c ; S . Horrocks , P . Z . 283 ; S . L . Buckley , P . Z . 345 ; W . Lamb , 345 ; J . Collinge , P . Z . 283 ; L . Eccles , S . E . 730 ; Roger Pye , 345 ; ) . Pollard , 269 ; J . VV . Walsh , P . Z . 269 ; W . G . Thackeray , H . 345 ; N . Gillett , 345 ; R . R . Lisenden , and others .

The Provincial Grand Chapter was opened . The Prov . G . Scribe E . called over the roll of chapters holden in the Province . Representatives from all but one responded . The R . W . G . SUPERINTENDENT expressed his gratification at seeing so many companions present , having regard to the Easter holidays being so near at hand , and with regard to the unrepresented chapter , the usual fine for non-attendance would not be imposed , provided a reasonable excuse was sent .

The roll of P . G . Officers was next called over , two of whom only were absent , and from whom apologies were received and accepted by the R . W . G . Supt . The minutes of the previous meeting held at Rochdale in March last , were taken as read , and confirmed .

In the absence of the Prov . G . Treasurer , Comp . James Hadfield , through indisposition , a statement of his accounts for the past year was read by Comp . John Chadwick , P . G . S . E ., which showed a balance in hand of £ 53 ios . 1 id ., as against £ 46 ios . od . last year . One of the Auditors spoke to the correctness of the accounts , and moved the adoption of the report .

The R . W . G . SUPERINTENDENT proposed a vote of thanks to the Prov . G . Treasurer and Auditors for their services , which was seconded , and carried . The election of a Treasurer next came on the tapis , and on the proposition of Comp . J . H . SILLITOE , P . G . H ., seconded by Comp . FRANKLIN THOMAS , P . P . G . J ., Comp . Samuel L . Buckley , P . Z . of the Perseverance Chapter , was elected without opposition . Comp . BUCKLEY returned thanks in appropriate terms . The investiture of officers was then proceeded with , the following companions having been honoured with appointments : —

Comp . James Hill Sillitoe ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . H . ,, Abraham Clegg ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . J . ,, John Chadwick ( re-appointed ) ... ... Prov . G . S . E . „ James McLaren ... ... ... Prov . G . S . N . „ James Heelis ... ... ... Prov . G . Reg . ,, James Wilson ... ... ... Prov . G . P . Soj . „ W . R . Sowter ... ... ... Prov . G . ist A . S , „ R . Harrison ... ... ... ... Prov , G . 2 nd A . S ,

„ F . Goldstone ... ... ... Prov . G . Swd . B , „ J . Heap ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . B . „ Walter Newton ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ Wm . Cooper ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ W . Tattersall ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ James Newton ... ... ... Prov . A . G . S . E . „ T . Higson ... ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor .

Comps . Priestley and H alii well were appointed Auditors . On the motion of Comp . G . P . BROCKBANK , P . G . Std . Br ., seconded by Comp . J AMES HEELIS , P , G . Reg ., the sum of £ \ o was voted from the funds of Prov . Grand Chapter towards the East Lancashire Systematic Masonic Educational Benevolent Institution , and £ 20 towards the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls .

Comp . G . P . BROCKBANK gave the Provincial Grand Chapter a cordial invitation to hold its next meeting in Bolton ; and , there being no further business , the Provincial Grand Chapter was closed in the usual manner . Most of the companions afterwards dined at the Bull Hotel .

England V. Quebec.

ENGLAND V . QUEBEC .

BY BRO . W . J . HUGHAN . It appears to me that the difficulty now existing , Masonically , between England and Quebec should be restated , so that the real cause of the present state of things may be apparent , and no side issues allowed to warp the judgment . The "Voice of Masonry" ( Chicago , U . S . A . ) , has ably contended for the rights of minorities as well as of majorities , and its

editor has rightly appreciated the position taken by our Grand Lodge for so many years . So also has the Editor of Keystone . So far back as we can go with the records ( which period really covers the formation of all Grand Lodges , from that of Ireland in 1729 ) it has been the custom of the Grand Lodge of England eventually—though not

always very rapidly or willingly—to recognize all Grand Lodges , legally formed , so long as those lodges which declined to join the new organizations were allowed to continue their allegiance as before . In all such cases the

premier Grand Locige ( instituted in 1717 ) never issuing any new warrants in such Territories or Countries , and simply claimingany of its lodges , which dtclined to participate or join the new bod y until such time as they happily decide to unite with the majority .

Now , I submit that this being so , and always having been so , in relation to other old Grand Lodges , and inasmuch as England is the senior Grand Lodge in the world , it is not for any of our respected brethren in the

England V. Quebec.

United States , or elsewhere , to require England to act differently . We as a Grand Lodge , are most anxious to respect the wishes of a majority 0 f lodges in any country , district , or province , and , if they agree to constitute a Grand Lodge of their own , it will always be found that on proper announcement thereof , we shall be as ready to acknowledge the new bod y as anv Grand Lodge can possibly be ; provided always that a fair majority 0 f

lodges and brethren take part in the formation thereof , and that the minority of lodges have as much liberty to decline , as the others composing the majority , have exercised in agreeing to constitute , the new Grand Lod ge . To all intents and purposes , this is a Landmark , sanctioned b y the usages and customs of the oldest Grand Lodge—from which all others have directly or indirectly sprung—and hence our Canadian and United

States brethren should recognise this factor in the matter , and whilst makingwhat Rules and Regulations they please for all the Grand Lodges in their jurisdictions , they might , at least , leave us free to manage our o . vn affairs for it is essentially and Masonically a subject about which , whilst we may all agree to differ , to interfere in is no part of the duty of any outside the jurisdictions immediately concerned . The Grand Lodge of England

requires all its subordinates to obey , its Laws and Customs , just as other Grand Lodges do , and hence no lodges can divest themselves of their responsibilities , which have been Warranted by our Grand Lodge , save in the way laid down by the Constitutions and usages of the English Craft , of which they form a part . When the Grand Lodge of Canada was recognised by the Grand Lodsre

of England , it was on the understanding that those lodges which declined to join that Body be allowed to continue their allegiance as before . This was agreed to , not because England wanted ihe Fees ( for as all know who are familiar with the subject , they are simply nominal ) , but simpl y as it was the custom of our Grand Lodge , and could not be departed from .

When the Grand Lodge of Quebec was at last recognised by the Grand Lodge of Canada ( so far as my evidence extends ) , our Quebec brethren agreed to permit of any lodges which were under England and Scotland continuing so thereafter , if they so preferred . In the Proceedings of the Grand Lodge of Quebec , p 73 , re Appendix , I find that the terms agreed to by the joint Committee of Canada and Quebec , provided amongst other points ,

" 2 . That in view of the arrangement made bet-veen the Grand Lod ^ e of Canada and the Grand Lodges of England and Scotland , by which the former obtained the Masonic recognition of the latter on condition of the lodges then working under the said Grand Lodges of England and Scotland being permitted to continue their work , the said Grand Lodges agreeing notto grant any further warrants within the Province of Canada , and having

regard to the fact that there still exist within the Province of Quebec three lodges working under warrants from the Grand Lodge of England , and one lodge working under that of Scotland , in conformity with this arrangement , it is agreed that while every effort shall be made to induce these lodges to surrender their warrants and come under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Quebec , the said Grand Lodge will recognize the arrangement

hereinbefore recited , until the relations of those lodges towards the Grand Lodge of Quebec have been finally decided upon between the said Grand Lodges and the Grand Lodge of Quebec . " The Lodge of Scottish origin elected to join the Grand Lodge of Quebec —wisely so in our opinion—but the three English Lodges still decide not to do so , for which I am very sorry , but clearly they are acting within their

rights in so doing , and according to the foregoing agreement , duly signed on behalf of the Grand Lodges of Canada and Quebec , they have the best of authority to continue under England until the matter has been satisfactorily adjusted by the Grand Lodges affected . I am unable to understand on what grounds our Quebec brethren have been so wrath with us because we decline to withdraw ihe three warrants in

question . Why should we cancel them ? So long as the members of those lodges obey our Constitutions we cannot legally do so , but they can surrender their Charters as their own voluntary acts and deeds , and then the difficulty would end . For my part , / much wish they would—to use the words of the agreement aforesaid—dated February 17 , 1874—" with the

object of restoring peace and harmony and brotherly love in the Craft , and surely it would be for the true interests of all concerned . The agreement was made whilst my esteemed friend and brother , Dr . Graham , whose name is " a tower of strength" in that province to this day , was Grand . Master of Quebec .

The official account of the question as entered in the records of the Grand Lodge of England in relation to the regretted edict of non-intercourse by the Grand Lodge of Quebec will be found in the published proceedings for December 3 , 1884 .

The History Of The Royal Masonic Institution For Girls

THE HISTORY OF THE ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS

FBOJt ITS ORIGIN , 1788 , TO ITS CENTENARY , 1888 . ( Continued from page 196 . ) A proposal by Bro . E . H . Patten to increase the number of children from 65 to 70 was withdrawn , and Bro . TV . F . Beaclon was appointed a Trustee in place of Bro . L . H . Petit , deceased , who had been for many years a regular and generous benefactor of the School ,

and bequeathed a legacy of 100 guineas towards its support * There was also an arrangement entered into in the course of the year 1851 between the Lancashire Provinces and the Institution , by which the

former , on the payment down of £ 800 and of the annual sum of £ ^ per annum for each child—payable in advance—should have the ri ght of presenting in perpetuity eight children , but subject to the same conditions , and to be admitted at the same time as the children