Royal Arch.

Royal Arch .

HAVERFORDWEST . — Hwlffordd Chapter M 464 ) . —On Thursday , the ioth inst ., the installation ' rnonv of the above chapter took place at the Masonic c 5 ' n Picton-place . The following Principals were installed : VIC ; Norris , M . E . Z . j Roberts , H . j and Coram , J ., -T which the M . E Z . invested the following officers : — ? . l Clarke , Scribe E . ; Walters , Scribe N . ; Gilbert-Cotnp p s B . Davies , ist Asst . Soj . j L . Harris , S ° A' Asst . Soj . j Harrison , Org . j R . Owen , Tteas . j n Uivin D . C . ; and Bowen , Janitor . Ba iW taken for Marshall Wahvyns and taKen ior maiMiciii ju

T- was Bros . A ballot was orua . «< u «» <"'" n vid and both brethren being unanimously accepted , the iTaD ' e ' rwas adjourned until ^ Friday , the 18 th inst ., for the , L : pof exalting the two candidates . The Installing Sals were Comps . Read , P . Z . j Phipps , P . Z . ; and ffi Williams , P . Z . The chapter was resumed on Friday , the iSlh inst ., when r mn Phioos , P . Z ., presided , and exalted the two candiusual able The work

V ; ., in his manner . P . S . ' s was very Stably performed by Comp . Walters , S . N . The chap ter was closed , and the companions dined tar / ether in the banqueting room , Comp . B . Davies , of the Oueen ' s Hotel , catering for the companions' comfort in his . « n < il able manner . A most agreeable evening was spent , Ss being sung by the M . E . Z ., Comps . Walters , S . N . j and Hood Williams , P . Z .

MANCHESTER .-Humphrey Chetham Chapter ( No . 645 ) . —On Tuesday , the 15 th inst ., the installation ceiemony of the above chapter took place at the Masonic Hall Cooper-street , when there were present Comps . AH . Jefferis , P . P . G . S ., M . E . Z . j Jonathan Crowther , l " . Carl Gotz , P . Z ., Treas . ; John E . Lees , P . Z .,

PPGT ., S . E . j Frank A . Huet , P . Z . j J . H . Sillitoe , p ' z ! , P . G . H ., P . G . D . D . of C . England j Geo . S . Smith , Thomas Barron , Samuel Kelly , P . Z . j and James Sly , Janitor . Visitors : Comps . Thos . McClelland , P . S . 1345 ; andT . D . Hooper , P . Z . 204 . The minutes of the last convocation having been read

and confirmed , the ballot was taken for Bro . S . Ayland , S . W . 1134 , which proved favourable . Bro . Ayland was then exalted to the Supreme Degree of a Royal Arch Mason by the M . E . Z ., after which Comp . A . H . Jefferis , M . E . Z ., proceeded to install the Principals—Comps . J . H . Sillitoe , Z . j J . Crowther , H . j and Fred . R . Lange J . The following officers were also invested by the M . E . Z ., viz ., Comes . T . E . Lees , S . E . j J . Hothersoll , S . N . j Carl

G 6 tz , Treas . j Lewis , P . S . j Geo . S . Smith , Asst . Soj . j and J . Sly , Janitor . The chapter was duly closed , and the companions afterwards sat down to a recherche banquet , admirably served by the manager , Bro . A . Philips , and under the genial presidency of Comp . J . H . Sillitoe , M . E . Z . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured , and an enjoyable evening was spent .

Instruction.

INSTRUCTION .

STAR CHAPTER ( No . 127 s ) . —The usual weekly convocation of this chapter was held at the Stirling Castle , Church-street , Camberwell , on Friday , the 181 I 1 inst . There were present Comps . Moore . M . E . Z . ; Grummant , H . j Briant . J . ; C . H . Stone , S . E . ; Woods , S . N . ; Hill , P . S . j F . Hilton , P . Z ., Preceptorj Voisey , P . Z ., Treas . ; Murche , Addington , Davis , and Kifford . The chapter having been opened in due form , the minutes were read and confirmed . The ceremony of exaltation was rehearsed ,

Comp . Kifford personating candidate . The M . E . Z . rose for the first time . and Comp . Kifford , 169 , was unanimously elected a j fining member . The dues were collected . The M . E . Z . rose for the second lime , and Comp . Grummant , P . Z ., H ., was unanimously elected M . E . Z . for the next meeting . The M . E . Z . rose for the third time , M , on the proposition of Comp . Hilton , P . Z ., Preceptor , seconded by Comp . Voisey , P . Z ., Treasurer , it was unanimously resolved that a vote of thanks be recorded on the minutes for the able way in which Comp . Moore had filled the chair for the first time in this

chapter . It was also resolved , on the proposition of Comp . Woods , seconded by Comp . Murche , that a vote of thanks be given to L ?"" ip . Hilton for the work and time he had spent—in conjunction Willi Comp . Stone—during the past week in making additions to "ie furniture . The S . E . announced that Comp . Sadler , P . Z . 169 , H ' "" Janitor , would deliver a lecture on the " Banners and Ensigns » t the Royal Arch " at the Industry Chapter of Instruction to"J "" 0 * ( Saturday ) . Nothing more presenting itself for the good 01 K . A . Masonry , the chapter was closed .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

GROSVENOR LODGE ( No . 1 44 ) . —The Installation meeting of this lodge was held on the 16 th instant , BJ L . *• Ro Y > Regent-street . There were present \\ ll \ l e ^ Fai ) a ' - - * p - Saillard , S . W . j Augustus Walton Treas ., as T . W .: H . H . Wells . M . O .: P . T .

GnSJp - E r , rY- J ° lliffe - C- Quennell , P-M ., Secj Dr . creatKex , P . G . Stwd . j W . Lake , G . Stwd . j and others , confi m ' . nu ( : es of the last meeting having been read and van 7 ' ballot was taken for two candidates for adore *! iTl * ' one of the brethren , Bro . Morford , being . L -n - > he was dulv advanced to the Decree of M . M . M ..

ivhn " ff y being ably peiformed by Bro . Faija , W . M ., into I ? [ ? '" stalled his successor , Bro . P . Saillard , hi , " ii chair of the lodge . Bro . Saillard then appointed Dav ?* , ? ° » ows : Bros . H . H . Wells , S . W . j E . P . S . O ' p J-W , L H - p - Kilby , M . O . ; E . A . Reynolds , Tre ' o . , cy T - Bedford , J . O . ; Augustus Walton , P . M ., I- A ' . * . John Wills . Rerr . nf Mks PC V . TnlliffV S n .

Hoir ' e n nger 'J- D- C- Quennell , P . M ., Sec ; E . J . jewel wa g , ; and F-A . Foster , I . G . A Past Master ' s service , V ?( , »» nted to Bro - Fai J recognition of his " elating X' , durin £ the year - A motion by Bro - Fai i posed and . ' teration of the by-laws having been pro-^ journed f arrled * the lodge was closed , and the brethren Saillard "ln excellent banquet presided over by Bro . " * chairs J 2 ^? " Masonic toasts were proposed frcm

Hro . F * ; " ,, ' y . Honoured , that of "The retiring W . M ., " -ce Ption iff' . 1 . " ' £ especially well received , while t ' ne unmistakeahl f oastof the w - - > Br ° - Saillard , showed a mong i 7 " * a t our worthy brother is as popular oi which if . retnten of the Grosvenor as in other lodges At , e J ** a member . ** S * ' * Bm ? Programme of music was prepared , in £ Ple tool ! H * Wells > E- A- Reynolds , and S . T . " - ^ uame , P , iP - w ' " > e professional assistance of rauline Featherby and Lenthal Swift .

Mark Masonry.

TWICKENHAM . —Sir Francis Burdett Lodge ( No . 1 S 1 ) . — This highly prosperous lodge met at the Albany Hotel . Among those in attendance were Bros . C . H . Kohler , W . M . ; Bailey , S . W . j Porter , J . W . j T . C . Walls , P . G . S . B ., Sec ; Davis , S . D . j Von Joel , J . D . j H . Higgins , I . P . M . ; J . T . Briggs , P . M . j and others . Bro . I . Faulkner , late of the Panmure , was a visitor .

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Bro . Chumley , of No . 141 , who had heen previously balloted for , was most ably advanced to the Degree of M . M . M . by Bro . Higgins , assisted by Bro . Briggs , P . M ., and the other officers . Bro . Briggs , P . M ., having announced the fact that he had been offered and had accepted the office of Grand Std . Br ., a vote of

congratulation was thereupon passed to him . Apologies for nonattendance were received from Bros . VV . Fisher , P . M ., Treas . j Simmonds , M . O . j Woodruff , J . O . j Meacock , D . C . j and others . The lodge was then closed and adjourned for the summer recess .

The W . M . presided at the banquet with his accustomed geniality . Bro . Von Joel , P . G . S ., replied on behalf of "The Grand Officers j " Bro . Walls , P . P . G . W ., for " The Provincial Grand O . licers ; " Bros . Higgins and Briggs for "The Past Masters j " and Bros . Bailey and Porter for "The Officers . "

HAVERFORDWEST—Picton Castle Lodge ( No . 297 ) . —This lodge met at the Masonic Hall on Wednesday , the 2 nd inst ., Bro . E . H . Ellis , P . M ., presiding . The minutes of the previous meeting having been read and confirmed , the S . W ., Bro . Hood Williams , was

unanimously elected W . M . for the ensuing year . The W . M . elect , in returning thanks for the honour thus conferred upon him by the brethren , expressed his determination to do all that lay in his power to advance Mark Masonry during his year of office . The lodge was then closed , and the brethren retired .

Cryptic Masonry.

Cryptic Masonry .

GRAND MASTER'S COUNCIL ( No . 1 ) .-This popular council met at the Masonic Hall , Red Lionsquare , on the 17 th inst . Among those present were Bros . T . Cubitt , T . l . M . j G . Graveley , D . M . j F . Davison , Treas . j T . C . Walls , P . D . G . M ., P . T . I . M ., Recorder j B . R . Bryant and E . Storr , Marshals ; Major Geo . Lambert , P . D . G . M . ; Alfred Williams , P . G . l . M . ; T . Poore , P . G .

C . W . ; C . F . Matier , G . R . ( Hon . Member ) j Catterson , Roy , Brittain , Thomas , H . Harris , T . Clark , E . A . Harris , Claridge , Codd , Chitson , Jones , Simner , N . Prower , M . A ., Hollington , Fountaine , Hanley , and others . The council was favoured with a visit by Bro . A . F . Godson , M . P ., D . G . M ., who was received with the customary honours . The minutes of the previous meeting were

read and confirmed . Bro . Bryant having assumed the chair , admitted Bros . W . Maple , R . E . H . Goffin , and A . Proudfoot into the four Degrees . The ceremony was well performed , Bros . Matier and Poore lending their powerful aid . Bro . C . F . Matier then installed Bro . G . Graveley into the cha r of T . l . M . The following appointments 1 hen took place : Bros . Cubitt , P . D . M . j K . L . Loveland , P . C .

of W . j Davison , Treas , j Walls , Recorder j the Rev . W . Lemon , M . A ., Chap , j Major Dunbar , C . of W . j H . J . Lardner , C . of G . j Spice , C . of C . ; Bryant , ist Marshal j C . H . Driver , 2 nd Marshal j E . Storr , 3 rd Marshal ; Powell , S . S . j H . H . Shirley , M . A ., J . S . j W . Glynes , Warderj R . i * oy , Sentinel , - and Mills , Outer Sentinel .

Apologies for non-attendance were received from Bros . Baron de Ferrieres , P . G . l . M . ; the Rev . W . Lemon , M . A ., Chap , j Powell , Lardner , Pakes , Cumberland , T . Robinson , Steele , Frye , Parkhouse , the Rev . W . S . Moses , M . A ., and many others . The council was closed in the Degree of Select Master ,

and the brethren adjourned to the Holborn Restaurant , where the customary banquet was held . The T . l . M . ably presided , and some excellent speeches were made by Bros . Godson , M . P ., Major G ; o . Lambert , R . E . H . Goffin , and others . 'I he proceedings throughout were excellent , and reflected great credit on the executive .

Rosicrucian Society Of England.

Rosicrucian Society of England .

YORK COLLEGE . —Tlie quarterly gathering of members of this college was held at Bradford in the Freemasons' Hall , Darley-street ( kindly lent for the occasion by the Harmony Lodge ) on Wednesday , the 16 th inst . There were present the following : Fratres T . B . Whytehead , Chief Adept j W . F . Tomlinson , Suffragan j J . L . Atherton , Prov . Treasurer j and Wm . Brown , Prov .

Secretary j and the following officers of the college : Fratres Lieut .-Col . Monks , Celebrantj J . J . Wilkes , Deputy } Wm . Brown , Sec . ; J . R . Dore , as P . A . j G . Chapman , asS . A . j W . Flockton , T . A . j G . Althorpe , O . A . j W . H . B . Atkinson , C . of N . j Major McGachen , G . T . j W . N . Cheeseman , Herald j F . Laxton , Medallist ; J . W . Woodall , J . C . Monckman , Stott , Ramsden Riley ,

Major Moore , Craig , W . B . Dyson , Turner , J . Blenkin , Myers , W . H . Cowper , Tudor Trevor , C . L . Mason , E . Macbean , Peterson , and others . The Secretary announced that he had received apologies from the six fratres who had not communicated at the last obligatory meeting in February . Ballots were taken for several candidates from the Pentalpha , Harmony , Marquis

of Granby , Philanthropic , and Airedale Lodges , and Bros . W . C . Lupton , P . M . 974 ; Thomas Norfolk , 6 ooj and J . T . Last , S 37 , were admitted to the grade of Zelator , the ceremonies being worked with remarkable ability by the Celebrant , assisted by the Conductor of Novices . The Chief Adept then gave his annual address , which

had been postponed from the obligatory meeting in February . He said : V . Worthy Celebrant and Fratres , —In meeting you to-day and giving you my usual annual address deferred from last meeting , I have every reason to congratulate you upon the position in which you find yourselves in regard to this Society . I believe I am correct in saying that the York College of Rosicrucians is the most

Rosicrucian Society Of England.

numerous section of the Order in the United Kingdom , and I believe moreover that , although the youngest of the colleges , it has done quite as much work as any of them . We have been very fortunate in securing the services for our successive years of existence of good Celebrants and officers , so that- the work has been conscientiously done , and as the evident desire of the members is to continue to

uphold the character already gained by the college , I see nothing to make doubtful the future success ofourbody . Ihave thought that to-day it might open a fair field for discussion to you if I were to make a few remarks on the early legend of the Order of Rosicrucians , and with that view I have been looking into the works of writers on the subject with as much attention as the very limited time

at my own disposal will admit of . It seems to me that there are few subjects ( of little or no importance to the welfare of mankind ) that have occupied so much of the attention of readers and writers as has the Society of Rosicrucians . Whole libraries have been written about them . Their history has been told with endless variation . Essays have been published to prove their

non-existence , and replies have made their appearance to justif y the belief in their actual embodiment as a Society . Sceptical persons have sneered at the very suggestion of such a Society , whilst gullible people have accepted all that has ever been published about its career . After the lapse of nearly 300 years those who have made a careful study

of the subject appear to have arrived no nearer a satisfactory conclusion than their ancestors of over two centuries ago . It is very remarkable that so much intelligence and care should have been expended during the intervening years upon a matter the decision of which can have no possible effect upon Society , and I must say that to me it appears as a matter for regret that so great an amount cf

toil and care should have been exhausted in a search about

as futile as that of the traditional Rosicrucians themselves when they set themselves to discover the philosopher ' s stone or the transmutation of metals . To us perhaps the past history of the Society , such as it is , should be of more interest and value than to any other set of men since we cannot fail to experience a certain amount of curiosity as to the existence of an organisation whose name we have

adopted , and under whose traditional credit for special knowledge to a certain extent , we raise our banner . I think it right to say at the outset of my remarks that in touching upon this subject of the Rosicrucians I approach it with a gieat amount of diffidence . The small store of information possessed by me hardly justifies me in expressing any decided opinion . So far as my limited reading

goes I feel that I have no right to pronounce judgment upon a matter that has puzzled the minds of a succession of philosophers and sages for so many years . As an adept I presume I should fairly be expected to have acquired great erudition in Rosicrucian lore , but if the truth be told lam bound to confess that I know very little indeed about it , and 1 feel sure that there are fratres present very much

better qualified to instruct you in this question than I am . Yet I feel it may be well if only for the sake of extracting the opinions of more learned brethren to say a few words on what appears to be once more coming forward upon the arena of public discussion , and which affects us nominally in so close a degree . I think it is possible , and indeed highly probable , that many of the fratres present here

know very little about the story of the Ancient Roscicrucians , and peihaps in a few words I may be allowed to give ths brief legend upon which was originally founded their claim to an existence as a Society . It was in the very early portion of the 17 th century that the Society of the Rosicrucians first put forth claims to an existence . It was at a period when the dawn of civilisation

m Europe was showing grey on the horizon , when men were beginning to be restless and to writhe under the crushing influence of a religious system whose very marrow depended upon a darkening of knowledge . It was towards the close of the epoch during which darkness covered the earth , and gross darkness the people . It was at at a time when to be known to be in the possession of superior

knowledge was dangerous , and when to promulgate knowledge and to suggest enlightenment was to cou ; t persecution and death . Superstition had reduced the minds of the bulk of men to a very feeble condition , and credulity and ignorance went hand in hand . No time more opportune could have been selected for the launch upon the reading public of the sensational story which laid the foundation of

the discussion that has been going on more or less ever since that period down to our own day . The stone was set a rolling by the appearance of a work by an anonymous author in 1614 , in which a distinct and deliberate statement is made as to the formation , career , and objects of the Fraternity of the Rosy Cross . According to this curious book , cunningly worded and most acceptable , doubtless , to

the minds of men ot the time , there lived , once upon a time , a certain Christian Rosenkreutz who was brought up in a Monastery in Germany , but who , whilst yet a boy , went to Damascus where he imbibed much of the occult knowledge of the Arabian sages ; thence he went into Egypt where he further prosecuted his studies , and after traversing the Mediterranean settlements arrived in Spain , where

he tried to found a Society , but failing , returned to Germany , where he built himself a house wherein he continued his researches . In course of time he selected and attached to himself three brethren and instructed them in his secret knowledge of medicine . Literatuie and medicine formed the subjects of their studies , though the major portion of their time was spent in healing the sick , who resorted to

them , we are told , in great numbers . They erected a new abode which they called the House of the Holy Spirit , and were joined by tour other brethren , when they formed a Society of eight persons . Two of these brethren always remained witn their chief , but the rest made journeys in pursuit of knowledge and with the object of succouring the sick . Every year , however , they met at head-quarters

on a certain day , and recounted their experiences . At length the chief of the Order C . R . C . ( Christian Rosenkreutz ) died , but the place of his burial remained a profound secret , until a certain brother , the initials of whose name are given as N . N ., in makings some alterations to the house , came upon a table of brass whereon was engraved the names of the brethren . In

removing this he dislodged a stone and revealed a hidden door on which was written in Latin " Post annos CXX patebo , " with a date underneath . On opening the door there appealed a seven-sided vault lighted by an artificial sun , and in the middle a round brass altar thus engraved "A . C . R . C . Hoc universi compendium unius mihi sepulchrum feci . " Other inscriptions ran : " Jesus mihi omnia , "