Royal Arch.

did many beautiful and historical allusions to be found in Biblical history , and would greatly improve the minds of all companions who would study its workings and teachings . He could assure them all he never regretted the day he became a Mason , more especially a Royal Arch Mason . Having been initiated in the mother lodge West Smithfield , he was deeply interested in her success , he might say owing in a great measure to his long

connection with the district of its origin . The Farringdon Without Lodge had sprung , into existence since his initiation , and he was in the proud position of being a founder and Past Master of that lodge , and was now S . W . of his mother lodge , and was looking forward he hoped to the no distant period when he might be installed Master of the West Smithfield Lodge . The companions he hoped would pardon him wandering somewhat from chapter subjects , but as the

Farringdon Ward Without had only Masonically speaking recentl y sprung into existence , yet they could now boast of Craft and Mark lodges , as well as R . A . chapters . He might also state that the Charities were not forgotten , and although he would like to have seen more contributed to those Charities than had been , taking into consideration the heavy expenses they had had to contend with , hc did not consider they had done badly , and he thoug-ht there was a

bright future for those Institutions . He thanked all the companions for the hearty reception the toast had received . The M . E . Z . next proposed " The Health of the I . P . Z ., " and congratulated that worthy companion on the success of the past year , and as a testimony of the appreciation of the companions of the services he had rendered them he found great pleasure in presenting him with a P . Z . 's jewel , trusting he would long continue to wear it among them .

Comp . Butt thanked the companions for the handsome jewel they had presented him with , and the M . E . Z . for the kind remarks expressed towards him . They had for many years been associated together in Masonry , and he hoped they would spend many more . He thanked one and all for the read y assistance they had at all times rendered him during his year of office , and nothing would give him greater pleasure than to see all

companions present wear a P . Z . ' s jewel of the West Smithfield Lodge . " The Visitors" toast next followed and was well received . Comp . Walls , P . Z ., expressed his gratification at being present and thanked the companions for receiving the visitors' toast so kindly . One further remark he would make which was to express his admiration at thc very efficient

working of their M . E . Z ., who approached nearest to the perfect working of Comp . James Terry than any other companions he had yet seen work the Royal Arch ceremony . Comps . Higgins , Webb , Pennefather , and Davis , expressed themselves in similiar terms , Comp . Lott following suit with a beautiful selection of music . " The Officers " toast was proposed and responded to .

During intervals Comp . Roberts sang some excellent songs which being accompanied by Comp . Lott made them highly appreciable to the companions . Other companions also rendered valuable services in entertaining the companions , Comp . Walls giving a beautiful rendering of " The Wreck of the Hesperus , " which with The Janitor's toast completed an enjoyable evening .

BUXTON . —Phcenix Chapter of St . Ann ( No . 1235 ) . —The annual installation meeting of this chapter was held at the Court House , on Thursday , the 22 nd inst . A chapter was opened by the presiding chiefs at 12 . 30 p . m . After the reading and confirmation of the minutes of the preceding meeting , Comp . J . H . Sillitoe , P . Z . 645 , 1387 , P . P . G . ist Assist . Soj . East Lancashire , installed the following principals in their respective chairs , viz : Comps .

W . Boughen , Z . j VV . Cameron Moore , H . ; and James Whitehead , J . The following officers were afterwards invested bv Comp . Sillitoe , viz .: Comps . Cartwright , S . E . ; R . Hulmej S . N . ; T . E . Jones , P . S . ; and E . C . Milligan , Treasurer . In addition , to the companions above named , there were present Comps . the Rev . A . A . Bagshawe , P . Z ., P . P . G . P . S . ; Philip Le Gros , P . Z . ; E . J . Sykes ,

P . Z ., P . G . IstAssist . Soj . ; J . H . Lawson , P . Z . ; Josiah Taylor , P . Z . ; J . E . Harrison , J . Brammall , and others . Visitors : Comps . N . Dumville , Z . 204 ; and Hirst , 1661 . At the conclusion of the ceremony a vote of thanks was unanimously passed to Comp . J . H . Sillitoe for his valuable services , and the chapter was afterwards closed , ' after which the companions adjourned to the St . Ann's Hotel for luncheon .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

BATH . —Royal Cumberland Lodge ( T . I . ) A regular meeting of the above lodge was held on Thursday , the 22 nd ult ., when there were present Bros . C . VV . Radway , W . M ., P . P . G . D . C ; F . Wilkinson , S . W ., P . P . G . S . O . ; F . W . Dingle , J . W ., P . G . l . G . ; W . Williamson , acting M . O . ; E . J . B . Mercer , S . O . ; CM . Penlcy , J . O . ; W . Rice , acting J . D . ; J . Dutton , Treas . ; W . Peach , R . of M . j J . J . Dutton , D . of C . ; C . Wilkinson

P . M ., acting Sec ; W . E . Sparrow , Org . Visitor : Bro . Col . R . Ford , D . P . G . M . M . Somerset . Lodge was opened and the minutes of previous lodge read and confirmed . Several apologies for non-attendance were read , notably one from Dr . H . Hopkins , P . G . J . W . England , who was too unwell to be present . A ballot for Bro . Bull having proved favourable , he was duly advanced to the Degree of Mark Master , the ceremony being well worked throughout . Bro . Peach crave the lecture perfectlv .

the S . W . [ having expressed a desire not to go forward at present , the brethren re-elected Bro . Radway as W . M . for the ensuing year . Bro . Dutton was re-elected Treasurer and Bro . S . Bigwood , Tyler . In response to a hearty vote of thanks the D . P . G . M . M . of Somerset expressed the pleasure he had experienced in seeing this Degree so well carried through , and wished the lod ge continued prosperity . Lodge was then closed in perfect harmony .

Royal Masonic Institution For Girls.

ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR GIRLS .

At the recent Cambridge Local Examinations the pupils of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls were very successful , fourteen having passed and only one failed . Four passed in third honours , and two with distinction for religious knowledge . This is very satisfactory , and we congratulate Miss Davis and her able staff on the result .

Red Coss Of Constantine.

Red Coss of Constantine .

PREMIER CONCLAVE . —A meeting of this old conclave was held at Freemasons' Tavern on thc 5 th inst . Amon ? those in attendance were Sir Kts . Massa , M . P . S . ; E . H . Thiellay , V . E . ; Sherly , Senior General ; T . C . Walls , Junior General ; T . Cubitt , P . M . W . S ., Treas . ; John Mason , Recorder ; Dr . Mickley , Prelate , Dawes , Pridmore , H . J . Lardner , Marsh , P . M . W . S . ; Harrison , Sentinel ; and others .

1 he minutes of the previous convocation having been read and confirmed , the election of officers then took place with the following result : Sir Kts . Thiellay , M . P . S . ; Sherly , V . E . ; T . Cubitt , Treas . ; and Gilbert , Sentinel . A notice of motion having been given to remove the conclave , and a Past Sovereign ' s jewel having been voted to Sir Knight Massa , the conclave was closed according to ancient form and the Sir Knights adjourned to the banquet .

1 he usual toasts followed . Sir Kts . Marsh and Cubitt responded upon behalf of " The Grand Council . " Sir Kt . Walls acknowledged the toast of "The Grand Senate . " "The Health of the M . P . S . " was flatteringly proposed

by Sir Kt . Cubitt , and this pledge having been warmly received was briefly replied to by the M . P . S . The toasts of "The Treasurer and Recorder , " "The M . P . S . elect , " and " The Officers" followed in quick succession and brought the proceedings to a close at an early hour .

Rosicrucian Socicty.

Rosicrucian Socicty .

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE YORK COLLEGE . The annual meeting of this college was held in the Masonic Rooms , Queen ' s Hotel , York , on Saturday , the 24 th ult ., when there was a large attendance of members , amongst them being Fratres T . B . Whytehead , Hon . IX , Chief Adept of Yorkshire ; J . S . Cumberland , Hon .

Vill" , Suffragan ; J . VV . Woodall , Prov . Treas . ; Rev . VV . C . Lukis , Deputy ; and T . J . Wilkinson , Sec . In the absence of Frater Maffey , the Celebrant , in Australia Bro . J . S . Cumberland , a Past Celebrant , worked the ceremonies , the Ancient ' s chairs being filled by Fratres S . Middleton , J . Todd , J . M . Meek , and T . M . Barron . Frater C . L . Mason acted as Conductor of Novices , in the

absence of Frater Moore , whilst Frater C R . Fry was in his place as Guardian , Frater A . T . B . Turner , as Herald ; and Frater T . Trevor , as Torchbearer . In addition to these there were Fratres J . F . Taylor , Geo . Ayre , G . Simpson , and M . Maddison . The minutes having been confirmed a successful ballot was taken for Bro . j . S . Walton , P . M . 1357 , of

Northallerton , alter which Bros . J . L . Atherton , James Moncks , C . Palliser , and A . Fraser , aspirants previously accepted , were admitted and duly received into the grade of Zelator with the full ceremonies . The CHIEF ADEPT then proceeded to give the annual address as follows : W . Suffragan and Fratres , I think we maybe said to be living in the rrolden aire of Freemasonry .

There has never been a time when the Order could claim to have been making more rapid progress , when it has been able to enumerate amongst its members men of more eminence , or when the true study of Freemasonry , its history and its objects , has engrossed more of the time and attention of its leading members than in this year of grace 1 SS 3 . Freemasonry has proved

itself a very salamander amongst those societies that have from time to time engaged the love and attention of mankind . Having apparently its purely speculative origin at some period during the seventeenth century it has stood the test of evil report and good report through the generations that have since passed away , until now , when we find it more flourishing than ever , handed down to us from our

fathers , a precious inheritance which it will be our joy and our duty to hand down to our sons in the same purity which characterised its principles and workings when we and our fathers first experienced the light of its godlike teachings . Other societies have come and gone , other institutions have flashed like meteors across the pathway of progress of civilised society , but the lamp of Freemasonry has steadily

burned , cherished lovingly by generations of good , worthy , and distinguished brethren , until its fire , kindled at the early altars of brotherly love , relief , and truth , burns in this age with a lustre and brilliancy that would have gladdened the hearts of . those who , in less enlightened days , toilfully struggled , an obscure and humble band , against the prejudices of ignorance and the jeers of follv .

I have used the word " god-like" in regard to our glorious old Craft , for surely there is something very much akin to what is Divine in the teachings of such an Order . Based on the contents of the Volume of the Sacred Law , it shares with that marvellous book in the halo ot light which modern science and latter-day research have thrown around those venerable pages that give authority to our

Masonic assemblies . Other works , whose reputations have at one period been high , have sunk down into obscurity and neglect for no other reason than that the light of truth and the investigations of modern science have exposed their weaknesses and their fallacies and robbed them of their authoritative value , but in the case of our " unerring standard" age has only served to mellow its precepts

and beautify its poetical imagery with the hoary garland of antiquity , whilst its perfect harmony with all that modern p hilosophy can prove is no less remarkable than thc subtilty and intricacy of knowledge which it displays with the innermost workings of the human heart . And so it is with Freemasonry . Whilst other organisations and societies have arisen , flourished , made their mark in history ,

and finally decayed and disappeared , Freemasonry has continued to grow and make steady progress . The rude shocks of opposition , and the occasional neglect , even of its own sons , has served but to root it more firmly in its position . It has been able to stand the severe test of that electric light of modern enquiry which will insist upon a

why and a wherefore for the existence of everything that is , and it now stands a living triumph of principles that are eternal as that Great Architect on whose beneficent laws they have been originally based . _ And what , fratres , can we do as individuals to uphold , maintain , and promote this grand institution , and to assist , as Masons , in consolidating its walls and contributing to the welfare and happiness of its members ? In the first place , we can all do what everv

Rosicrucian Socicty.

Mason is expected and in honour and in duty is bound to do from the moment when he enters the portals of the society . We can to the utmost of our power carry out in our daily lives the principles and thc tenets that are so early taught us in our Masonic career . This is the least that we can do ; but if we all did this and carried out our obligations in their entirety , would it not be competent for Freemasons to work such a reformation in our social system as would leaven the

whole world ? I am sure of it . But we are met to-day not as novices in Masonry . I hope that every member of this college has gained sufficient knowledge to render it quite unnecessary for anything to be said to him of the elementary duties of every brother . We are as it were re-organised in this Rosicrucian Society , not in any antagonistic spirit to any other society or system , but simply under an additional or special bond of " unionby

, means of which we desire to link together Masons of age , standing , and experience for a special and specific purpose . What our object is you know full well . It is thoroughly in accordance with the spirit of the Masonic age . This is a time , as I have already said , when knowledge grows apace , and the knowled ge of Freemasonry , amongst other branches of study , is extending its researches into long hidden paths . Freemasonry lias always had about it a

strong literary flavour . Elias Ashmole and many of the very earliest of its disciples were men of high attainments in literature . And from his day down to the present we hnd men of ability and scholarly attainments content to work through the early drudgery of the Craft , and subsequently adorning our ranks as rulers and teachers . Dr . Stukely , whose Masonic connections have beenso learnedly and carefully investigated by our eminent brother , vour

present Deputy and my late Suffragan , was himself a man of great learning and laborious habits , and from his day , the day of the southern revival of Freemasonry down to the present decade , we may trace a long succession of men of parts and attainments such as Anderson , Preston , Crucefix , Oliver , and others , who all , according to the means at their disposal and the knowled ge of facts that they possessed , toiled in the paths of Masonic literature . It is

true that , until comparatively a recent period , Masons were content to receive and accept as data statements that we now know to have been completel y at variance with facts , but Freemasons were not singular in this respect . We need only refer to works on arch .-eology and natural science contemporary with those obsolete histories of Masonry , to discover that men of light and leading in science entertained theories andarrived at consequent conclusions that to usappear almost

childish in their absurdity . And as other sciences have advanced so has Freemasonry with equal strides . A generation of Masons that declines the myths and wayward fan ' ices of Preston and Oliver has trained up a new school of Craft historians , and with the logical historical analyses of Bro . Gould , the unremitting assiduity and mental grasp of Bro . Woodford , the patient statistical labours of Bro . Hughan , and the careful and scholary publications of Bro . Murray

Lyon , we find ourselves in the happy position of having found an almost royal road to Masonic knowledge . This is therefore pre-eminentl y a time when a society such as ours should find congenial spirits and an appropriate field for its labours . Our objects are the elucidation of Masonic history and archrcology , and in working in this direction we know that we are aiding in a great and an important work . Our labours may not be productive of vast results , but as in the Brahminical

. story the granite is worn away in the course of ages by the light yet constant touch of the angel s robe , so no problem can resist for ever the patient attacks of perseverance and persistency . 1 have more than once pointed out the direction in which members of thia college can assist in the elucidation of Masonic history . Our Frater Lukis has set us all a worthy example of what may be done in this way and has brought

some _ most valuable facts to light by the exercise of his scholarly activity . And the very fact that every now and then new scraps of information are brought to light and fresh theories are broached regarding our Order and its descent , proves how much there is yet left to discover . All of us have not the leisure we should like for these pursuits , but it is wonderful how much maybe effected in stray and spare moments bv those

whose hearts are in the work . The mines of Masonic lore are as yet but little explored , and it is certain that there must still be in existence manuscript allusions and references to early Freemasonry , that if discovered would materially aid us in the construction of such a detailed history ot our Order as would be its crowning triumph in this century . On occasions of these meetings I should be very glad if more members would prepare naoers and

bring with them Masonic relics of all kinds in order that we might all have the benefit of investigating their peculiarities . Our society is certain to be strong and useful in proportion to the work that we perform , and members would find much more pleasure and encouragement in attendance at our meetings if they always found something , however trifling , offered for their intellectual and Masonic benefit . Thus far the York College has enrolled upon its books

many of the most intelli gent brethren in the county and the north of England , and I hope it will continue to gather in members who enter not for the sake ( as thev may perhaps vainly suppose ) of obtaining another Degree , but from a really intelligent desire to aid in thc effort to do something for the literature of the Order , and to become a working element in a Society that has for its objects the glory of God , the good of mankind , and the promotion of scientific

I ' reemasonry . If this is the case the college cannot fail to prosper and to be of sterling value , but if we should lose sight of our true " raison d ' etre " and become a mere social club of Masons , we shall not deserve a continuance of that success which has thus far attended our efforts . Let us all unite in an honest endeavour to work in the directions I have indicated and our reward will surely follow . Fratres , I thank you for your attention .

The election of officers was proceeded with and Fra . C . L . Mason , V ° , was elected Celebrant , and Fra . J . S . Cumberland , VII , was re-elected Treasurer . lt was arranged to hold the next meeting of the college at Leeds on the 23 rd of May . Letters of apology for absence were read from the following members : Hon . VV . T . Orde-Powlett , W . Lawton , W . Rowley , M . Millington , T . W . Holmes , E . T . Clark . Rev

J . Blake , C . G . L . Kipling , VV . Paley , C . S . Lane , W . Harrison , b . Wilson , and R . W . Moore . At the close of the meeting the members met at high tea and spent a pleasant evening , in the course of which Fra . Cumberland exhibited his valuable collection of old Masonic jewels , which was much admired .