Chapter Work.

CHAPTER WORK .

By J P . LITTLE , Grand High Priest Grand Chapter , Virginia . ( Concluded from page 477 . ) THE MARK ITSELF . Every Mark Master is required , and should be compelled before he is exalted , to choose and

record his mark . This duty is too much neglected . The council of every Chapter should be a committee to examine and receive these marks , to see that no improper mark is selected ; yet a wide liberty of choice should be allowed . The Scribe should keep the Mark Book , and no mark should ever be changed ,

except for good cause . We have always placed the mark within the letters arranged in a circle . Yet I have before me , in the title page of an old volume of Divinity , written in 1629 , these letters arranged in the form of an arch . This probably was the more ancient custom . This

old divine , John Boss , Dean of Canterbury , places his mark under his name on the title page of his life work . It was a good and honest custom . A Mason can not part with his mark . It serves to identify him ; it represents him ; it is himself ; not only is it a proof that he is qualified to perforin rightly every work of the Craft , but it is his support in time of

need . By it he pledges himself to the performance of any duty promised ; it is a sacred token , and its use involves his Masonic character . And , beside the friendship taught and the charity inculcated in this degree , it is impossible for Mark Masters to remain iu difficulties or quarrels with one another when so easy a means of becoming reconciled is afforded by its lessons and practice .

CIRCLE OF LETTERS . These English letters—H , T , W , S , S , I , K , Lwhich form a distinctive mark on every keystone , and which we translate into a phrase of our language , have puzzled many of our brethren by their being ,

in their present form , of unmistakable modern origin . To satify those doubts , it maybe necessary to inform our brethren that these letters in their original form were zodiacal signs , showing a knowledge of astronomy , and were in this form the mark of a very distinguished architect and leader in our Craft .

OFFICERS OF A MARK LODGE . Lodges held under a Chapter differ from the lodges on the three first degrees of Masonry . The Captain of the Host in the Chapter is still an officer of the subordinate lodges . He bears the name , however , of Master of Ceremonies , ancl as such ,

under the orders of the Master , is a very important officer , and has a great deal to do in the proper performance of the lodge work . In fact , the Master in those Chapter lodges has two especial officers , the the Senior Deacon and the Master of Ceremonies , and give to either any orders he may see fit . It is

better to give these orders to the Master of Ceremonies than to the Senior Deacon . The latter has specific duties prescribed by Blue Lodge law ; the other is a general officer—an officer at large , in point of fact—whose duty is to sec that everything is

properly arranged , that every subordinate officer performs his own duty properly , and who is to exercise a general supervisory care over the whole working of the lodge . It is an important office , and on its proper performance by a competent and faithful officer depends the prosperity of the work .

CONCLUSION . "Son of man , mark well ancl behold with thine eyes and hear with thine ears all that I say unto thee concerning all the ordinances of the Lord , and all the laws thereof ; and mark well the entering in of the house with every going forth of the sanctuary . '

In the Hebrew this command , mark well , is strong ; it is Shim Libbekah , grasp with the heart . Not simply notice and remember , but take into your very being and hold it as your heart docs your life blood . In the proper observance of the laws of God is our life ; see that they are kept . And the

entering in of this house and the going forth of this sanctuary , what docs it mean ? Is it merely the tiling of the lodge , the guarding of the outer courts ? Does it refer only to Masons when assembled ? This , truly '; but much more than this . Every Mason is himself a sanctuary : his body is a true and holy

temple . Let him see that its outer courts are ever duly guarded ; that nothing unclean , impure or unhol y ever leaves or enters it . This degree teaches 1 lesson and gives a warning . It teaches in a peculiar manner the lesson of equality . Every lodge is a- vineyard ; we are all labourers toiling , studying in the search for truth ; for study is time labour ,

and work is true worship . And in this vineyard lod ge the wages we receive for our toil is truth—one and the same for all , no matter when the labout may have been begun or how long it may last . All are on a level ; all toil alike , and the same wages is for all . The youngest who enters at the eleventh "our may find that which the eldest never obtained ; and thus the last being first , the level of a perfect

Chapter Work.

equality is kept up , and all are benefited by the discovery . As the same trials are for all , as all work must be perfect before it can be received , the labour of one assists the work of all and the building is rendered complete by the combined and equal efforts of the whole lodge . Thus , perfection in every

part , that there may be completeness and harmony in the whole , is taught in this beautiful degree . And now , in the words of one of our wisest men , I charge and warn you , my brethren , that you be careful to receive no wages in the lodge or in the outer

world that are not your due . For if thou dost receive such wages thou wrongest some one by taking that which , in God's chancery , belongs to him , whether that thou takest thus , be wealth , or rank , or influence , or reputation . DEUT : xv ., 7—11 .

This degree should be closed by reading the following passage of Holy Writ , of which every Mark Master will at once see the obvious application : — If there be among you a poor man of one of thy brethren within any of thy gates in thy land which

the Lord thy God giveth thee , thou shalt not harden thy heart nor shut thine hand from thy poor brother ; but thou shalt open thine hand wide unto him , and shalt surely lend him sufficient for his need , in that which he wanteth . Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart , saying , the seventh

year , the year of release , is at hand , and thy eye be evil against thy poor brother , and thou givest him nought , and he cry unto the Lord against thee , and it be sin unto thee . Thou shalt surely give him , and thy heart shall not be grieved when thou givest

unto him ; because that for this thing the Lord thy God shall bless thee in all thy works , and in all that thou puttcst thy hand unto . For the poor shall never cease out of the land ; therefore , I command thee , saying , thou shalt open thy hand wide unto thy brother , to thy poor , and to thy needy in thy land .

Poetry.

Poetry .

—?—MASONIC CHARITY . [ Written to be set to music as the words of a war-song , if deemed worthy the honour of acceptance for that purpose , by any Masonic gentleman who is also a musical composer . ]

Brethren , be kind to the sufferers by war , Remember we none of us know ; How soon the cold chill of misfortune may come , And darken our pathway with woe . How many who now seek our pitying aid , Life ' s comforts and blessings enjoyed

Till a turning point came , and adversity ' s shade Their hopes for the future destroyed . ( Chorus . )—And now , at this terrible season of war , Let us hasten to lighten the grief Of widow and orphan , of wounded and sick , And strive to afford them relief .

Yes ! let us be kind to the sufferers of war , Nor suffer political pride To cause us with careless indifference to turn From desolate beings aside .

'Tis true the hard-hearted may frequently frame An excuse for withholding their aid ; But who with a heart to compassion inclined , But deplores the distress war hath made . ( Chorus . )

Think brethren of lov'd one ' s whose heart-strings arc twined Round thine own by affectionate tics , And forget not the misery that falls upon some When the parent who chcrisli'd them dies .

Oh ! Masons , be kind to the sufferers of war , And remember our Father above Enjoins us in scripture to " lend unto Him , " And looks on the gen ' rous with love . ( Chorus . ) S .

LINES ADDRESSED TO A BRIDE . [ Written on reading the announcement of the recent marriage of Miss Farnfield , daughter of Bro . W . Famfield , V . G . Assist . Sec ] Gentle bride , may ' st thou be happy , Is the writer ' s earnest prayer ;

May our Heavenly Father keep thee 'Neath His kind ancl watchful care . May the husband thou has chosen Prize the treasure he has won , Ancl thy future flow on smoothly , As 'tis joyously begun .

Through life ' s scenes of shade and sunshine , Though , alas ! by Fate's decree , Changes—both of grief and gladness—All who dwell on earth must see . Still may roses strew thy pathway , Blooming in the light of love , Ancl when life ' s fond scene is closing , May thine hopes be fixed above . S .

Royal Bank Of Ireland.

ROYAL BANK OF IRELAND .

The annual meeting of the proprietors of this bank was held on September 28 th , at the offices , Foster-place , VALENTINE O'BRIEN O'CONNOR , Esq ., in the chair . The CHAIRMAN , in moving the adoption of the report and statement of accounts , said the exceptional amount of bad debts this year was a source of much regret to the

directors . This arose principally from the failure of one of the large corn merchants , whose firm commenced doing business with the bank in 1 S 5 S . At that time they stated that they had a capital of . £ 42 , 000 . The account of that firm was very profitable to them , and they now lost . £ 20 , 000 by it . In one year alone the bank made £ 6 , 000 on the account in commission and discount .

Some time before this firm stopped payment , the directors considered that the amount due to the bank was too large , and they required it to be reduced . This was immediately done , and the firm opened an account with the Bank of Ireland . At this time the bank held over £ 60 , 000 of their endorsements and securities , which were considered as good as any bank could desire . He might

also mention that the transactions of the firm with this bank averaged over £ 500 , 000 a-year , and that the profits of the bank on them averaged . £ 3 , 500 a-year . Another bad debt occurred in the Smithfield branch—a sum of £ 5 , 000—by cattle dealers , very respectable persons , doing a large business , and at that time having a large sum of money to their credit . They got permission from

the manager of the Smithfield branch to overdraw their account , which they did from time to time , and at last one of them left the country . Though it was through the manager of the Smithfield branch they had sustained this loss , he ( the chairman ) should say in justice to him that he was a most zealous officer of the bank . They could not expect to do a very extensive business and to

make large profits without some time meeting considerable losses . ( Hear , hear . ) Great , however , as had their losses been this year , they could pay them all out of their profits , and give a dividend of . £ 3 iSs . 8 d . per cent , on the paid up capital . ( Hear . ) He was happy to say that they had now as their managing director the same gentleman who , by his fostering care , had brought the bank to

its present state of prosperity . ( Hear , hear . ) The chairman concluded by moving the adoption of the report . Mr . THOMAS DOCKRALL , Kingstown , said the report presented anything but a prosperous state of things . He congratulated the proprietors , however , upon two items in it—one was the accession to the board of Mr . Robert

Warren , a gentleman of untarnished honour , in whom the public had full confidence . ( Hear , hear . ) If he moved in the footsteps of his late much-respected father , he would be an invaluable addition to any board . ( Hear , hear . ) The next item on which he congratulated them was the proposal to place Mr . Findlater and Mr . Murland on the board . ( Hear . ) But he ( Mr . Dockrall ) could not

agree in the expression of regret in the report at the loss of the gentleman whose place Mr . Warren was to supply . He never could find that he was ever zealous for their interests . He held a large establishment , but did he give any part of his business to the Royal Bank ? He stayed with them in the days of their prosperity , but now that a little gloom appeared , the attractions of the British Senate

allured him from them , The time might come when 12 , 000 shareholders of the bank , if they chose to take offence at it , might be very angry with him when another representative would be wanted for the city . He did not say they would , but they might exercise a spirit that would not be pleasing to him . As to the bad debts , he ( Mr . Dockrall ) thought they were accumulating

uncommonly fast , and in great magnitude . It was stated that they lost . £ 25 , , but they did not state how they were to replace it . If it was by retrenchment , were they to begin below-stairs with the hard-working young men , or were they to commence with their own incomes ? If they were to pay it at all it should be out of the earnings of the bank . They said they had been solicited to open a

branch in Kingstown . He doubted the sincerity of any set of men that would ask them to do so . He had never heard an observation in favour of a branch in Kingstown , but he did hear it put forward that it was a " job , " and that the branch never would pay its expenses , and he did not think it would . There should be in the hands of the proprietors a separate account of all these branches , and

an audit , so that they might sec whether it would be expedient to discontinue any of them . He asserted that 12 per cent , was not a dividend commensurate with the unlimited liability of the shareholders of the bank . If all he had stated was shown to be unfounded , no one would rejoice more than he . lie hoped that a bank which was at one time the model of banks would not lose its high

prestige . ( Hear , hear . ) Mr . J AMBS WILSON , J . P ., seconded the adoption of the report . It was the duty of Mr . Jonathan Pirn , he said , to be there , for two reasons—to thank them for the confidence they had reposed in him , and to give them a full explanation of the transactions that had occurred . He ( Mr . Wilson ) asked was it true that the bank had

lost so much money by the house of James Pirn and Co . ? The CHAIRMAN said he had mentioned the sum . Mr . WILSO . V insisted that there must have been netjlect somewhere , and that it was the duty of the board to put the screw on the firm , and he urged the importance of the shareholders looking after their own

affairs . Mr . COPLAND , the managing director , proceeded to show that the loss in question was not the result of mismanagement . The account of the firm in question was opened twelve years ago , and they exhibited to the board that they had a capital of ^ 42 , 000 to commence . The account went on most satisfactorily up to a recent period .