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article by Bishop ARMSTRONG , which appeared in the July number of the " Christian Remembrancer" for 1847 , and from which he was given to understand he would discover that , as a Freemason , he was " committed to a system of Deism , and nothing else . " It was further pointed out to him that our first Constitution " concerning GOD and Religion " required " the

Christian to suppress all that is peculiarly Christian ; the Jew all that is peculiarly Jewish ; the Mahometan all that is peculiar to the Koran , and to join in one religious Brotherhood ; " in short , that ' * Freemasonry" was " preparing the way for ANTI-CHRIST . " The brother to whom we are indebted for the correspondence , and who signs himself "A PROVINCIAL

GRAND SECRETARY , " wrote to the Editor of " New and Old ' requesting the insertion in the number of that magazine for the current month of a letter , in which he denied "in toto " the justice of the interpretation put upon our Ancient Charge " concerning GOD and Religion , " and pointed out , reasonablv enough , that " Freemasonry " could not be " preparing the way

for ANTI-CHRIST , " -or assuredly the present Archbishop of DUBLIN , the Bishop of PETERBOROUGH , the Earl of LIMERICK , and others " would not remain for one hour members of the Order . " This letter of denial the Editor of "New and Old" had not the courtesy to find space for , and hence the publication of the correspondence in our columns . He did , however ,

make room for another reply to " A FREEMASON . " who was told " to study the whole of Bishop ARMSTRONG ' S article referred to and answer it . " He was further asked what , if he believed there was " only one way of salvation , and One Name , " he was doing and saying " to warn " his fellows , * ' Jews , Mahometans , Hindoos . & c , of their great danger ; " whether "ST . PAUL

and ST . J would not , in season or out of season , have spoken out for their one Lord ; " and whether they would " have called Him the ' Great Architect , ' and said no word as to His being our only Saviour , Intercessor , and Judge . " VVe are not partial to the discussion in these columns of questions affecting the relative values of different religious faiths . In accordance

with our sense of Masonic duty , we respect them all equally . Nor do we believe the cause of religion i ; advanced by men ol one set of tenets devoting their energies to the denunciation of those who pin their faith to another set of tenets . Still less do we regard with favour the adoption of such a course by people assuming to be imbued with the principles of that

dispensation of love of which the Christ of St . John s Gospel was the author . There is nothing in that dispensation , as expounded by that Evangelist , about , denouncing men of other religious faiths ; but the following precept is given in one of the chapters of that gospel as having emanated from the founder of Christianity , and as embodying in one brief sentence the pure

spirit of the new faith . " A new commandment I give unto you . That ye love one another ; as I have loved you , that ye also love one another . " Were we writing a sermon we might enlarge on the simple beauty of this text . But sermons are out of place in a non-clerical paper . VVe content ourselves , therefore , with commending the precept we have just quoted to

the " Christian Remembrancers . " Editors of " New and Old , " and others whom it may concern , and pointing out to them that Freemasons in their own unaffected way , and unbiased towards this or that religion , yet sincerely

respecting all , lose no opportunity of impressing upon their " fellows , " both "in season and out of season , " that their first and chiefest duty is , not to denounce those who differ from them , not to anathematise and excommunicate them , but " to love one another , " to be " in Charity with all men . "

Consecration Of The Israel Chapter, No. 205.

CONSECRATION OF THE ISRAEL CHAPTER , No . 205 .

This new Riyal Arch Chapter was consecrated or . Tuesday evening , the Sth inst ., at the Cannon-street Hotel , by Comps . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , G . S . E . ; Edgar Bowyer , P . G . Sid . Br ., acted as H . ; and the Rev . R . J . Simp-on as J . ; Thoma-i Fenn , P . G . S . B ., as S . N . ; and Frank

Richardson . P . A . G . . Soj .. as D . o' C . The other Comps . present were Chas . F . Hogard , Allred J . Henochsberg , Isaac P . Cohen , John A . Gariley , E . J . Ehrenbrrg . Marcus Bromet , H . J . Phillips , J . Lichtenfeld , Rev . Marcus Haines . Joseph da Silva , John L . Mather , P . Z . 1471 ; M . I . Emanuel , P . Z . 188 ; James Stevens . P . Z . 720 ; C . H . Webb , P . Z . 1549 ; A .

Bassington , P . Z . 733 ; A . V . Haines , Z . 142 ; S . Barnett , P . Z . 141 ; F . R . W . Hedges , J . 1900 ; T . Hastings Miller , P . Z . 907 ; C . Chaffourier , 1201 ; M . J . Benjamin , late 188 ; Wolff Littaur . Z . 188 ; James C . Hayes ,

H . 142 ; A . M . Cohen . late P . Z . 188 ; James Russell , 173 ; H . Massey , Z . elect ig ? 8 ; Thos . Tremere , 1929 ; Gabriel Rosenthal ( Adelaide ) , S . Schmerl , 188 ; Fred . Binckes . P . Z .. H . 59 ; Wm . Mundy , 188 ; J . Lewis Thomas , P . G . S . B . ; H . Sadler . G . Janitor ; and W . H . Myers .

Comp . E . M . Lott , presided at the organ , and played the anthems ; the vocal portions bsing rendered by Comp . Tremere . Comp . Col . SHADWELL CLERKE , after the formal opening of the chapter , addressing the companions , said they were met on a very important and interesting occasion , viz ., to give effect to a warrant of Grand Chapter

which permitted tne I-rael Chapter 10 be formed . Some 93 years ago a lodge was form ed in London by the Atholl Grand Lodge , called the Israel Lodge ; and since then the Israel Lodge' had worked at various places in the City of London . But the brethren of this lodge who had desired to advance in the mysteries of Royal Arch Masonry , had had to accept the

gond offices of chapters attached to other lodges . But those brethren had thought it only right and proper that they should have a keystone placed to the Masonic edifice hv having a chapter attached to it , such as was now authorised hy Grand Chapter . They presented a petition to Grand Chapter

for authority to establish an Israel Chapter , and G ^ and Chapter had seen fit to grant the prayer of that petition . Tne founders of the chapter were practised , tried , and trusted Royal Arch Masons , who had had great experience . The First Principal had already been the First

Consecration Of The Israel Chapter, No. 205.

Principal of three other chapters ; the Second Principal was also P . Z . of No . 188 ; and the Third Principal was already in the second chair of another chapter . No doubt , therefore , the Israel Chapter would be well and properly conducted , and before long would prove itself to have fulfilled the aspirations and hopes of those who originated it . After the petition and charter of constitution had been read by Comp , Fiank Richardson ,

The Rev . R . J . SIMPSON delivered an oration which was listened to with great attention , and which we regret we have not space for this week . The reinainder of the ceremony was afterwards performed , and the following companions were installed : Comp . Charles Frederick Hogard , P . Z . andj . 10 , P . Z . 141 and 142 , as M . K . Z . ; Comp . Alfred Julius

Henochsberg , P . Z . 188 , as H . ; and Comp . Joseph Da Silva , H . 188 , as J . Comp . H . Phillips was elected and invested S . E . ; Comp . J . A . Gartley , S . N . ; Comp . L . Norden , P . S . ; and the Rev . M . Haines was appointed 1 st A . S . ; and Comp . Ehrenberg , 2 nd . AS . Comp . I , P . Cohen was elected and invested as Treasurer . Comp . Lichtenfeld was appointed D . C ; and Comp . Arthur Walkley , was elected as Janitor .

Cordial votes of thanks were unanimously passed to Comps . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , Edgar Bowser , the Rev . R . J . Simpson , Thomas Fenn , and Frank Richardson , for their services in consecrating the chapter , and the honorary membership of the chapter was conferred upon those

companions . Comp . SHADWELL H . CLERKE acknowledged the compliment , after which a long list 01 the propositions for exaltation were read , and another long list of proposed joining members . A Committee was then appointed to frame the by-laws of the chapter , and the chapter was duly and formally closed .

I he companions afterwards adjourned to a superb banquet , and subsequently honoured the usual Royal Arch toasts . " Alter the toast of " The Queen and R . A . Masonry , " in giving the toast of "The Prince of Wales , M . E . Z ., " Comp . HOGARD said that the Israel Chapter had the Prince of Wales ' s signature attached to its warrant , which he was sure they would highly prize .

In giving the toast of " His Excellency the Earl of Carnarvon , Pro Grand First Principal , and the other Dignitaries of Supreme Grand Chapter , " which included Comp . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke and his assistants in the ceremony ot consecration , Comp . HOGARD reminded the companions that they were extremely indebied to those Grand Officers . On . the-e important occasions , when Grand Scribe E . consecrated either lodges or chapters , Comp . Frank Richardson was sure 10 be present . Comp .

Fenn was a host in him-elf . He was not only President of the Board of General Purposes , but was the life and soul of the Emulation Lodge of Improvement , a lodge which no Mason who prided himself upon working the ceremonies could expect to be perfect unless lie had on some occasions attended . To Comp . Simpson they were indebted for an execellent oration , which must have sunk deeply into the heart of every one . Comp . Hogard also complimented Comp . liowyer on his services not only to Craft and Royal Arch Masonry , but also the Masonic Charities .

Comp . F . RICHARDSON , in replying , said he could quite endorse the remarks ot the M . E . Z . with regard to those who ruled over the Order . Earls Carnarvon and Lathom were ready at all times , and in all places , to do their work . The other Grand Officers endeavoured to the utmost of their power to perform their work , and he thought it only fair that honours having been in good fortune cast upon them , they should return it by assisting in

the foundation of lodges and chapters . The Grand Officers congratulated the Israel Chapter most heartily upon the new child ushered into existence that day . The Lodge of Israel had been some time ascending to this step , as it was so near its centenary ; but he thought from the manner the chapier was formed , although it had taken some time to do it ,

it would be very prosperous in the future . 1 hey wished the chapter most heartily success , not only during the present First Principal ' s year of office , but that the chapter might take a great place on the roll of Grand Chapier . They hoped , as honorary members , to come among th » companions occasionally and see the admirable way in which he knew they would do their woik .

Comp . SHADWELL H . CLERKE , in proposing "The M . E . Z ., " said the toast of the First Principal on these occasions immediately followed that of the Grand Officers , and it was very fit it should be so , as it was absolutely the most important . It was a great honour to be the First Principal of a chapter or the Master of a lodge ; but it must be a much greater honour to be chosen as the first head of a new body . In that proud position Comp . Hogard stood now ; and very fit it was that he should so stand . He was an old and trusted Mason . This svas no less than the fourth time he had

occupied the chair of rirst Principal of a chapter , and the companions had exercised a wise discretion in selecting him lor that position . Hecongraiulated them on their choice , and also congratulated Comp . Hogard on the proud position he was placed in . From the genial way in which he had occupied the chair , he was sure the chapter would be well conducted , and that the companions would not regret having placed him in the chair .

Comp . HOGARD said it was a wry proud position lor any one in be the first chief of any Order , and he lelt extremely proud on being selected to fill the chair of the Israel Chapier for its first year , having been so many years connected with the Israel Lodge , which was his mother lodge , and also haiing for several years been us Secretary . He hoped the chapter would prosper in as marked a manner as the lodge . They all knew the position in which it now slood , the support it had given to the Masonic Charities , and

to the Lodge Benevolent Fund . He would do his best to place the chapter upon the same high pinnacle . He did not expect when the companions first talked about forming a chapter that he would be asked to be its first Z . ; but having been placed there , he should endeavour to discharge the duties devolving upon him as one of its heads . From the long list of names read that evening for exaltation , he concluded that , at all events , they started with a very good luture before them .

Comp . HOGARD next proposed "The Consecrating Officers . ' Every one must have been very much pleased and dtlighled 10 see Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , who had come direct from a very severe attack ol illness , and the companions would welcome him first and foremost in that respect ; next ihey congratulated him on his recovery , and then lor the honour he had conferred upon the chapter in attending in order to consecraie it , and launch it on ihe sea ol Royal Arch Masonry . Wiih a favourable wind they