Provincial Grand Chapter Of Essex.

Dring , P . Z . 453 ' , P . P . G . H . ; and George Cowell , P . Z . 214 , P . A . G . Soj ., P . P . G . S . N . The GRAND SUPERINTENDENT , in his address to the companions , said it gave him great pleasure to meet them in the town of Chelmsford , recalling as it did to his mind the day when he was installed as ruler of Royal Arch Masonry in that province at Chelmsford by that eminent companion , the late Earl of Lathom , whose memory would remain green for many long years to come . They could hardly realise the regret which he felt at being

unable to be present at the consecration of the last chapter formed in the province—the St . Andrew ' s at Shoeburyness—but he was at the time laid up through a most painful attack of sciatica , and could but express by telegram , as he repeated now by word of mouth , that he wished the chapter and its companions every prosperity . Previous to the consecration of that chapter their number stood at 13 , a number which those who were

superstitious considered to be unlucky , though why the number 14 , which included 13 , was more lucky he failed to understand . As they now stood with 14 chapters they had twice seven—equalling 14—which was truly Masonic , though number nine was more of a Royal Arch number . What their numbers might be this time next year he would not prophesy , but there were whisperings in the air of petitions in course of signature for the

founding ol new chapters . All he could say was that , speaking with a deep sense of the responsibility of his position , where there was sufficient material to found a Royal Arch Chapter and sufficient companions to support it , he should be pleased to give it every encouragement . They did not want to see a number of weak chapters whose light would burn with a high flame for a short

time and then go out with a snuff , as that would not be creditable to a great province like that to which they were proud to belong . He was to Id in the West of England that Essex was thoroughly in earnest in the work of Masonry , and he felt proud to be connected with a province which had such a name and reputation . That meeting was a kind of annual stocktaking , as he thought he had on similar occasions remarked , a time when

they reviewed the past and looked forward to the future with hope . This was the eighteenth anniversary of the formation of that Provincial Grand Chapter in Chelmsford , and the results of that formation were patent to all the Masonic world . They were meeting that day under the banner of the Essex Chapter , and among the many faces that he was glad to see , he was pleased to recognise that of Comp . Andrew Durrant . It was said

that a prophet had no honour in his own country , but he thought they would agree with him that Comp . Durrant was a living example to the contrary . He was greatly appreciated , not only as father of this chapter , but as one who had done a great amount of work for Masonry in Essex , and had been the elected Treasurer of Provincial Grand Chapter ever since its formation . In conclusion the Grand Superintendent enjoined the companions to do all

they could for the various chapters to which they belonged , so that they might be examples of good and harmonious working . ( Applause ) . The election of a Prov . G . Treasurer then took place , and Comp . Andrew Durrant was unanimously re-elected for the 19 th year on the motion of Comp . VBRO W . TAYLOR , seconded by Comp . GEORGE CORBLE . The G . Superintendent then appointed his officers for the ensuing year & s follows i

Comp . T . Courtenay Warner , M . P ., P . Z . 2256 ... Prov . G . H . „ A . J . H . Ward , P . Z . 51 ... ... Prov . G . J . „ T . J . Railing , P . Z ., S . E . 51 , P . G . S . B . Eng .

( 19 th year ) ... ... ... Prov . G . S . E . „ Mark Gentry , P . Z " . 2154 ... ... Prov . G . S . N . „ T . M . Wright , l . P . Z . 2005 ... ... Prov . G . Reg . „ Charles Williams , M . E . Z . 276 ... ... Prov . G . P . S . „ P . F . Holmden , M . E . Z . 214 ... ... Prov . 1 st A . G . S . ,, lames Berry , M . E . Z . 1 S 17 ... ... Prov . 2 nd A . G . S .

„ W . T . Legg , J . 2374 Prov . G . S . B . „ S . A . Mugford , H . 279 ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br . „ A . Lucking , P . Z ., Treas . 1000 , P . A . G . D . C . Eng . ( 19 th year ) ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ J . A . Hobday , H . 1000 ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ E . C . Holmes , Org . 2374 ... ... Prov . G . Org .

„ E . R . Evans , M . E . Z . 453 ... ... Prov . A . G . S . E . „ A . W . Martin ... ... ... Prov . G . Janitor .

On the motion of the G . SUPERINTENDENT , a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the Principals and companions of the Essex Chapter for the excellent arrangements they had made for the meeting , which was duly acknowledged by Comp . C . WILLIAMS , M . E . Z . The G . S UPERINTENDENT having announced that the meeting for next year would be held at Romford , the Prov . G . Chapter was closed . About 50 companions afterwards dined together at the White Hart Hotel , Chelmsford , under the genial presidency of the G . Superintendent .

Provincial Priory Of Hampshire.

PROVINCIAL PRIORY OF HAMPSHIRE .

CONSECRATION OF THE CONNAUGHT PRECEPTORY , No . 172 . The Rig ht Hon . the Karl of Euston , G . C . T ., M . K . and S . Grand Master , accompanied by several of the Great Officers , went to Aldershot on Saturday , the 30 th ult ., the Feast of St . Andrew , to instal the newlyappointed Prov . Prior , V . E . Knight R . Loveland Loveland , K . C ., G . C . T .,

in the place of his late lamented predecessor , the V . E . Knight W . W , B . Beach , G . C . T ., who had ruled over the province so long and so successfully . The proceedings commenced with the installation of nine knights by the V . E . Knight C . F . Matier , K . C . T ., G . Vice-Chancellor .

At three o ' clock the M . E . and S . Grand Master was received by the assembled knights under the arch of steel , and entered in procession accompanied by the Great Officers . Having assumed the throne , he proceeded to the consecration of the Connaught Preceptory , appointing as his assistants V . E . Knight the Rev . C . E . L . Wright , P . G . Prelate , as Chaplain ; V . E . Knight F . Richardson , G . C . T ., G . Registrar , as 1 st Constable ; V . E . Knight R . Clowes , K . C . T ., P . G . Cons ., as 2 nd ConstaDle ; and V . E . Knight J . C . F . Tower , K . C . T ., P . G . Vex . B , as Marshal .

After solemn prayer , the warrant was read by V . E . Knight C . F , Matier , K . C . T ., G . Vice-Chancellor , and the petitioning knights having signified their approval of the officers nominated therein , the following oration was delivered by the C HAPLAIN ;

Provincial Priory Of Hampshire.

It is interesting to note , in these matter-of-fact days , how many there are who still love and appreciate the ancient days of chivalry and the Orders they gave birth to . The world his become so prosaic , so much attention is paid to its merely commercial side , there is ss much stress and turmoil in modern life , that it is refreshing to know that Orders still exist in which it is possible to obUin a glimpse of those medi . eval conditions which made the Middle Ages so , full of poetry and romance . Amongst these , the Order of the Temple shines forth

preeminent , for notwithstanding the vicissitudes it has undergone , it continues to exhibit some of the most characteristic features of its ancient prototype . The Order was originally founded by two valiant Knights , Hugo de Pargun and Geoffrey de St . Aldeman , who , together with six other Knights , banded themselves together in the year A . D . 1118 to protect the Christian pilgrims against the attacks of the infidels . The old chronicler , Matthew Paris , remirks thattheseal of the Order , representing two Knights on one horse , was chosen in allusion to

the poverty of the two founders , who could only afford one horse in common ; but others say that it was an emblematical representation of the charity they were to exhibit by being ready to rescue any in danger even by placing them on their own horses . Numbers soon joined , and quarters were assigned to them near the Temple at Jerusalem , from which they took the name of Knights of the Temple . In process of time they became extremely wealthy and influential . Many great men , who did not wish to become full

members , were affiliated to them in order to obtain some of their privileges for which they paid large sums , and the names of emperors and kings are to be found amongst them . By these means they became an immensely powerful organisation , and during the Crusades they did sterling service for the Christian cause . Afterwards , however , many of them lapsed into luxury which , to a great extent , proved the cause of thei . downfall . Their possessions were immense . In every country of Europe they held vast estates , and when the period

of the Crusades was ended , many a coveteous eye was cast on their wealth . In England several of their churches may still be seen , more especially the Temple , in London , and St . Sepulchre ' s , at Northampton and Cambridge . It was from France , however , that the first blow fell upon the Order . There Philip Le Bel , and Pope Clement V ., entered upon a league to destroy them so that they might seize their treasure and lands . On the night of ioth October , 1307 , all the knights throughout France were arrested and thrown into prison . They were

put to the torture to force them to confess crimes of which they were innocent , and at length were led out in bands of 50 together and burnt alive . Jacques de Molai , the Grand Master , with four of his priors , who had been treacherously enticed into France by Philip , were the last victims of this relentless persecution . After remaining dearly seven years in prison , they were burnt alive on nth March , 1314 , before the Cathedral of Notre Dame , in Paris , the glorious martyrs of a glorious Order . Throughout the greater part of Europe their persecution

was equally severe , but in Portugal and Castile , and Arragon , it was less violent , and in England they continued to exist , though in an enfeebled condition , until the reign of Henry VIII ., when they finally disappeared with the monasteries . It is a very interesting question as to how tar we modern knights of the Temple can be considered to be the lineal descendants of the historic Knight Templars of old ? After the dissolution of the Order by the Pope at his Council of Vienne , near Lyons , in 1312 , the Order vanishes from the pages of history , so far as Europe in

general is concerned , and certainly in England after the early Tudor period . But there is a document still to be seen in Paris , which is known as the Tabula Alma , or Charter of Transmission , according to which , it is said , that Jacques de Molai , anticipating his own martyrdom , appointed as his successor Johannes Marcus Larmenius , of Jerusalem , and that from that time there has been a regular line of Grand Masters . Unfortunately , the evidence is extremely weak , when examined in detail , and the best authorities are agreed that it must be rejected . The

Swedes alone , I believe , among the nations who possess the Order , are willing to accept it . We must then seek for another reason for our existence . However pleasant and satisfactory it would be to be able to claim the pedigree of ages , I fear we should not be justified in doing so , at any rate definitely . But it is something to keep up the memory of a glorious Order , and to endeavour , as far as we can , to illustrate the chivalry of the past . There is an immense amount of literature on the Knight Templar Order , so that we have the means of studying what they did ,

and bringing our practlc ; into harmony therewith . In this connection we owe much to the enlightened action of our authorities , who , in recent years , have done so much to improve our ceremonials , and also to the fraternal union that we live in with the other Great Priories of the United Kingdom . But we must remember that we form an Order of Chivalry , and should avoid copying any other society with merely the addition of a military equipment . To aid us in this good work we are about to consecrate a new preceptory , to be

called the Connaught . I feel sure that in taking this name you have done so not so much because the Duke is a distinguished Knight Templar , as because you have been privileged to be associated with him in more intimate relationship in having had him so long as your General . It will be a souvenir for you of that time , and as the preceptory is intended for officers in his Majesty ' s forces , it would have been difficult to choose a more appropriate one . May you , then , go forward and flourish 1 Remember your illustrious predecessors

of old . Their work was mainly physical ; yours is spiritual . They had to fight against the Infidels ; you have to contend against Infidelity . They had to go long and dangerous pilgrimages ; you have to pass through the snares and pitfalls of the world . Strive then to be true knights in thought , word , and deed . Endeavour to make the Connaught Preceptory , which is this diy to be added to the roll , worthy of its predecessors , and so try to fight for your heavenly Captain here below , that you may reign with Him in glory hereafter .

•The M . E . and S . G . M . then completed the consecration in dueandancient form according to the established ceremonial of the Order , and afterwards installed the E . P . designate , E . Knight F , B . N . Norman-Lee , P . Prov . Prel ., who then appointed his officers . The arch of steel was again formed , and the G . M . retired , accompanied by the Great Officers . At four p . m the Prov . Priory was opened , and the M . E . and S . G . Master re-entered , and ascended the throne .

The ACTING G . MARSHAL then announced that the Prov . Prior-Designate stood without , on which the M . E . and S . G . M . directed that he should be admitted , and after solemnly administering the obligation , duly invested him with all the insignia of his rank , and placed him on the throne as Prov . Prior of Hampshire . The V . E . PROV . PRIOR then said a few words , thanking the M . E . and S . G . M . for his kindness , and for the great interest he had shown in the Order by coming , at considerable personal inconvenience , to instal him and to consecrate the new preceptory that day .

The M . E . and S . G . M . repliea , expressing the pleasure that it gave him to be there , and his desire to do everything in his pover to further the interests of Knight Templary , after which he retired , accompanied as before by the Great Officers . The V . E . PROV . PRIOR then appointed E . Kni ght F . Newman , P . G . C . of G ., as Prov . Sub-Prior , and the other Prov . Odi ; ers , at thssinu time expressing his regret at the absence of the former through ilhiess .

The Prov . Priory was then duly closed , and M . E . and S . G . M ., the Great Officers , and the other Knights dined together under the presidency of the V . E . Prov . Prior . '