Royal Arch.

respond , said he felt highly complimented by the flattering remarks of the M . E . Z . They were all pleased to have such an excellent and well-known Mason as Comp . Jolly at their head . He ( Comp . Penfold ) was not going to croak about the chapter . It was a good chapter , with good officers . There were many chapters which had not good officers , and so were , although strong in numbers , not such

good chapters as the weaker ones—that was to say , so far as regards their working . Nor were large chapters so comfortable as little ones , for in small chapters they all knew one another , and were always trying to make one another comfortable . They had commenced the year in a most excellent manner , being determined not to run into debt , and so paid for their one banquet severally . Next year he hoped

they would be in a position to pay for it out of the funds . Of course , a small chapter like theirs precluded them inviting a number of visitors , but he felt certain of a good future , and if every companion brought but one candidate , they would have quite as many members as they desired , for they were not anxious for a large chapter , but a good one . He heartily thanked them for the toast .

Comp . Hill , in returning thanks for the toast of " The H . and J ., " said now that he had just passed through the chair of his lodge , he should be able to devote the whole of his time to the service of the chapter , of which he was proud to be one of the Principals . Comp . Canning quite endorsed the words of the M . E . Z . He ( Comp . Canning ) had gained the position of W . M . of

the mother lodge , and had gone through every office in the chapter up to the present proud one he now occupied . He had several good candidates in view , but there was a prevalent idea amongst young Masons that they must be in office before they could be exalted in the chapter , which was a mistake . For himself , he should endeavour to the best of his ability to do his duty , and make the M . E . Z . 's year

of office a successful one . Comp . Aillud , in responding for " The P . Z . 's , " regretted that on account of being in office in another chapter in the Province of Kent , meeting on the same day as theirs , he should not be able to be with them so much as formerly , yet would do all in his power to ensure a good year of office for the M . E . Z . Comp . Penfold saidithere was one thing they could

safely say on behalf of the P . Z . 's , they were all present , which showed well for the interest they took in the welfare of the chapter . In fact , upon every occasion of its meetings the P . Z . ' s of the chapter had always been present . He had been a constant attendant , and had never been absent from one of its meetings since its consecration . He felt that none of them would shirk' their duty , but would continue to strive to make the chapter a successful

one . Comp . Warren thought it was only the duty " of a P . Z ., after receiving his jewel , not to run away from it , but work all the harder for it ; because if a companion received his jewel and then left the chapter directly after , it looked very much as if he had come by it by false pretences . After that remark he would conclude by thanking them

for coupling his name with the toast . Comp . Capt . Deeves , M . E . Z . 13 , responded for "The Visitors , " and after congratulating the M . E . Z . on his elevation to the chair of the chapter he bad helped to found , spoke of his experience as a Mason in South Africa , where he said he had , in five years , performed the installation ceremony no less than 33 times . Had he remained

there he should have gone on to the 18 , but meant to go back as soon as his service was up , and make Natal his home . He had seen Masonry in China , India , the West Indies , and Natal , but never went to a place where such good feeling and brotherly love was shown as at the latter

place . He gave all the companions a pressing invitation to the Union Waterloo at its next meeting , and concluded by thanking the M . E . Z . and companions for their splendid hospitality . Comp . Curtis , who acted as P . S ., having responded for " The Officers , " the proceedings terminated .

TWICKENHAM . —Sir Francis Burdett Chapter ( No . 1503 ) . —This chapter met at the Albany Hotel on the 17 th I inst . Among those present were Comps . T . C . Wails , P . Z ., P . P . G . P . S ., S . E ., acting M . E . Z . ; the Rev . S . T . H . Saunders , P . Z ., P . P . G . C , acting H . ; Dunkley , P . P . G . Org ., J . ; Gurney , S . N . ; J . T . Briggs , P . Z . 1326 , P . P . G . P . Soj ., acting P . S . ( was a visitor ); Lambert , P . Z . ;

and others . The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed . Ballot was taken for Bro . A . Toulmin , J . W . 1503 , and , it proving to be unanimous , he was duly exalted to the Degree of a R . A . M . Comp . Dunkley was then installed as H . by the acting ' M . E . Z ., and Comp . A . Gurney was installed as J . by Comp . Briggs . The report of the

Audit Committee was presented and adopted . 1 he sum of five guineas was voted to the Royal Masonic Institution for Boys , per Comp . Capt . A . Bunn . A vote of thanks was then passed to Comp . J . T . Briggs for his services . Letters of apology were received from Comps . Smiles , M . E . Z . ; the Rev . R . F . Hosken , M . E . Z . elect ; E . W . Jenkins , H . Jenkins , W . Taylor , P . Z . ; and others . The chapter was then closed , and the companions adjourned to a banquet , where the usual toasts received full justice .

Instruction.

INSTRUCTION .

HORNSEY CHAPTER ( No . 890 ) . —A convocation was held on Friday , the 12 th inst ., at the Porchester Hotel , Leinster-place , Cleveland-square , Paddington , W . Present : Comps . G . March , P . S . 733 , M . E . Z . ; W . C . Williams , J . 733 , H . ; J . Cruttenden , 5 . 9 , 1 . ; H . Dehane , M . E . Z . 890 , S . E . ; j . Davies , 533 , S . N . ; W , H . Chalfont , S . N . g . 5 , P . S . ; J . R . Allman , S 90 ; | os . Brandon . Z . 890 ; and J . Smith , P . S . 890 .

The chapter was declared open , and the minutes of the last convocation were read and confirmed . The ceremony of exaltation was rehearsed , Comp . Allman being candidate , A communication was read from Comp . Wetzlar . The officers were elecied for the two weeks , commencing to-day ( Friday)— ' omp . March as M . E . Z . After the M . E . Z , had risen the usual number of times , the chapter was closed .

Bro . J . Lobb , Chairman , and the members of the Finance and Parliamentary Sub-Markets' Committee , have ssued invitations for a dinner at the Guildhall Tavern , on Wednesday , May Sth . On the 18 th inst ., Mr . A . H . Nicholson , third son of Bro . D . Nicholson , of St . Paul ' s Churchyard , was married to Miss Robena C . Spence , fourth daughter of the late Mr . I , Spence , of St . Paul ' s Churchyard .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

CHISWICK LODGE ( No . 357 ) . —The regular meeting of this lodge was held on Thursday , the iSth inst ., at the Star and Garter Hotel , Kew Bridge , when there were present Bros . F . Law ranee , P . P . G . O ., VV . M . ; W . Clowes , S . W . ; Geo . Johnson , as J . W . ; G . Gardner , P . P . G . D . C Middx ., Treas . and Sec , in the absence of Bro . J . L . Mather , P . G . T . ; Coat , S . O . ; and others .

The meeting falling on the night before Good Friday , many officers and brethren were away on holiday , but , nevertheless , a good amount of work was got through . Lodge being opened , and the minules read , Bro . B . F . Hartyhorne , of the Chiswick Craft Lodge , was duly advanced to the Honourable Degree of M . M . M . The brethren then proceeded to alter several by-laws , also to elect

W . M . and Treasurer for the ensuing year , Bro . W . Clowes being unanimously elected to the former , and Bro . George Gardner to the latter offices . Bros . Johnson and Hartyhorne were elected Auditors , and the lodge was closed , and adjourned to the third Thursday in September . The brethren then sat down to a dinner , and spent the evening in a very enjoyable manner .

Knights Templar.

Knights Templar .

PROVINCIAL GRAND PRIORY OF LANCASHIRE . The annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Priory of Lancashire was held at Wigan , on Thursday , the iSth inst . The Faith Preceptory was opened by Sir Knight M . W . Peace , E . C . The V . E . Grand Commander , Sir Knight Clement R . N . Beswicke-Royds , accompanied by his officers , was received under an arch of steel , and duly saluted with the honours due to his rank .

Provincial Grand Priory was opened in due form . The banner and abacus of the late Sir Knight Matthew Dawes , the first Commander of Lancashire , also that of his successor , Sir Knight Albert Hudson Royds , were saluted with Grand Priory honours . The muster roll of Provincial Officers and preceptories having been called over , the business of Provincial Grand Priory was proceeded with .

It is satisfactory to note , from the reports of the General Purposes Committee , that Knight Templary in this province , which now contains one-fourth of the English knights , continues to hold its own , notwithstanding the vacancies by deaths and other causes . Feeling allusion was made to the sir knights who have

died during the past year , among whom are Sir Knights G . P . Brockbank , J . A . Birch , W . W . Dawson , and J . E . Wright—all Present or Past Provincial Officers—the loss of whose services are much regretted . The V . E . Prov . Grand Commander appointed and invested the following sir knights as his officers for the

ensuing year : Sir Knight Reginald Young Dep . Prov . G . C . „ Robert H . Cotton , M . A . Prelate . „ fi . Barber Chancellor . „ Jas . McLaren Constable . ., j . CThorburn Marshal . „ Wm . Goodacre Sub-Marshal ,

„ W . J . Thomson Treasurer . „ James Heelis Registrar . ,, Wm . Tyrer Vice-Chancellor . „ G . McKay Almoner . „ Francis VV . Lean Warden of Regalia . „ E . Pike S . Br . Beauceant .

„ W . Bulmer S . Br . Vex . Belli . „ F . N . Molesworth ... Banner Bearer . „ H . G . Beel 1 st Aide-de-Camp .

„ W . M . Wylde 2 nd Aide-de-Camp . ., J . Blacka Capt . of Guards . „ T . S . Cory , Sword Bearer . „ Robt . VV . Bourne ist Pursuivant . „ Peter Radcliffe 2 nd Pursuivant . „ W . Johnson ... ... Chamberlain . „ Joseph Clapton Organist .

„ W . Davis Equerry . The thanks of Provincial Grand Priory were accorded to the Treasurer , Sir Knight W . J . Thomson , for his services during the past year , he having presented a very satisfactory balance-sheet . The next annual meeting will be held at Bury . Provincial Grand Priory having been closed in the usual

form , a Priory of the Order of Malta was opened by the Prov . G . Prior , Sir Knight C . R . N . Beswicke-Royds , who installed five sir knights from the different preceptories into the Order . The Provincial Officers for the ensuing year were dul y appointed and invested by the Prov . G . Prior , who closed the priory as usual . The sir knights afterwards dined together at the

Conservative Club . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were given and duly honoured according to the manners and customs of Kni ghts Templars . Hearty congratulation ' s were sent to Sir Knight Albert Hudson Royds on the reported improvement in his health , with best wishes for his speedy convalescence . A very enjoyable evening was brought to a close at eight o ' clock .

Order Of The Secret Monitor.

Order of the Secret Monitor .

CONSECRATION OF THE ROYAL SUSSEX CONCLAVE . The consecration of the Royal Sussex Conclave , No . 10 , took place on Monday , at the Royal Pavilion , Brighton , the officiating officers being Bros . Dr . Zacharie , G . S . R . ; Col . Shadwell H . Clerke , 33 ° , G . S ., P . G . S . R ., assisted by Bros . Frederick Adolphus Philbrick , B . A ., Q . C , G . R ., 32 ° , Past Grand Chanceller of the Order ; Lord Euston , G . G ., 0

Prov . G . M . Northampton ; C . F . Matier , 32 , P . G . S . R . ; and W . J . Spratling , B . Sc , iS ° , G . R . The Degree was conferred upon Bros . Capt . G . Airey , Dr . C F . Good , the Rev . Pope , P . G . C ., 32 ° ; H . W . Seager , Edward Tebbs , F . A . Thilthorpe , W . Wright , Alex . Howell , Dr . Pearce , and H . H . Hughes , Sentinel . A most eloquent , interesting , and impressive oration was delivered by Bro . J . A . Philbrick , B . A ., Q . C , P . G . Cr .

Order Of The Secret Monitor.

The conclave having been duly consecrated , Bro . Dr . Alex . Stewart Brown was installed Supreme Ruler ; Bro . A . F . Lamette , Counsellor ; andjBro . J . C . Buckwell , Guide . The officers of the conclave were then elected , and a Committee formed to frame the by-laws , after which the

brethren adjourned to the hotel , where a banquet was served by Bro . F . Daniel , in his usual excellent style . Speeches were delivered by Bros . Dr . Zacharie , Col . Shadwell H . CIerke , F . A . Philbrick , B . A ., Q . C ; Lord Euston , C F Matier , and Dr . A . S . Brown . The conclave will meet at the Royal Pavilion , on the first Saturday in December , except for emergency .

Masonic Service At Openshaw, Manchester.

MASONIC SERVICE AT OPENSHAW , MANCHESTER .

On Sunday afternoon , the 7 th inst ., a special Masonic service was held in St . Barnabas Church , Openshaw . Special anthems were sung by a large choir composed of the parochial choir , assisted by several Masonic brethren . The sermon was preached by Bro . the Rev . E . Bigoe Bagot , LL . B ., Rector of Beswick , Prov . Grand Chaplain

of East Lancashire and P . Prov . Grand Chaplain of Cheshire . He took for his text 1 Thess . V ., v . 21 : "Prove all things : hold fast to that which is good . " In the course of his remarks he spoke of the universality and largeheartedness of Masonry . The principles of the Craft had never entangled themselves with any local or historical peculiarities of the time and place of their origin which

could hinder their universal diffusion . Ihese principles did not address themselves to men in any special phase of progress , age of the world , or stage of civilisation ; but to the common humanity which belonged to all , to the needs , aspirations , and social yearnings which belong to man as man ; to philosopher and simpleton ; king and slave ; eastern and western ; learned and unlearned . It

overleaps all geographical boundaries and lines in all centuries . It wins its trophies and bestows its gifts on all sorts and conditions of mankind , and provides for each a lesson of wisdom , Charity , and strength . Another great feature of the Craft was its large-heartedness and unselfishness . It was reported of Cardinal Wolsey that in the days of his luxury , surrounded by flatterers and toadies ,

he said in the folly of his blindness , " Ego etrex mens "" I and my King "—placing himself above his sovereign , to whom he owed his position ; and Louis XIV . of France , Le Grand Monarch , regarded his own interest so intensely that he acquired the habit of saying " L'etat e ' est moi "" The age : this is- ^ -myself "—and so it was almost universally . Selfishness is the standpoint from which objects are

viewed , and selfish aims the motive which prosecutes them . Masonry seeks , and in some degree succeeds in mitigating this evil principle . Noble , generous , and sympathising thoughts are instilled into the mind by all its ceremonies ; largeness of view and nobility of motive were commended as worthy of replacing what was narrow and contracted ; and Masons were taught to clasp the hand in the grasp of a real and

living brotherhood . But all the precepts of Masonry inculcated practical benevolence and Charity . The secrets of the Craft were its Boys' and Girls' Schools , its Institutions for aged Freemasons , and its local organisations spread throughout every province in the empire for the relief of want and the cure of ignorance and vice . We lived in an age when morality was sapped to the core , when

submission to any one or any authority was coming to be disregarded as antagonistic to modern independence , when intemperance , like a mighty gulf-steam , was drowning its thousands around us , and impurity and sensuality were exercising the most powerful magnets to attract and fascinate the unwary ; and , therefore , it was not an age to disband or discourage such a

community as the Masonic Craft , which puts the law of God and the moral teachings of the Divine Word in the forefront of her ceremonies and her rites . When political controversies were raging around us and sectarian bitterness asserting itself in all its sad and angry developments , it was a blessing and an advantage to find one spot where these considerations did not enter , a neutral ground where

man might meet his fellow man and forget for a moment those differences and inequalities which seemed destined to continue in the outside world , and to cultivate feelings of mutual respect and regard , which constitute a stronger link than the external separations of social bars and divisions , which act as cruel barriers to the union of human hearts ineverthing elseoften beating in perfect unison . To fear God

and work righteousness were , in a word , the objects of the Craft , and we who now throng her ranks represent many generations of thoughtful men who have felt and expressed these obligations . Freemasonry was no creed to supplant or extradite Christianity . It is a great , benevolent , and moral Society which has expressed theconviction of the human heart long before the era of Christianity commenced—that there

must be a great First Cause who is to be feared , and that there must he eternal laws of purity and order , which are to be cultivated and maintained for peace , happiness , progress , and true prosperity . The Masonic Craft is the utterance of this primeval voice ; and though it embraces in its comprehensive bosom all religions and systems of belief which acknowledge , reverence , and honour the Great

Architect of the Universe , we Christians , in a Christian land , ought to feel that the precepts of Charity , brotherly love , relief , and truth which are expounded and set forth in all our ceremonies receive a higher sanction , and a deeper meaning , when expanded , purified , and spiritualised by the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount ; the exquisite pathetic tenderness of the seer of Patmos ; the logical ,

manly , and self-denying precepts of Paul of Tarsus , and the thoroughly practical and active morality of James , first Bishop of Jerusalem . The Florentines raise the hat and the military present arms when the Compagna della Misericordia passes along the streets on its constant offices of ministering to the sick , carrying the wounded to a place of refuge , or conveying in some form to the sad , sorrowing , or distressed the palm branch of hope , mercy , healing , or telitf . In the days when a Grand Duke presided over the fortunes of the city he has been known to leave his guests at the banquet , and take his turn perhaps with the humblest as a helper in this work of mercy . This is an illustration of the sweetness , attractiveness , and immortality of Charity ; and a similar witness is borne to-day to the vitality , strength , beauty , and winsome ingenuity of an organization which still , as throughout many generations , sets forth the power , the vigour , and enduring stability of the Masonic virtues , which have gathered into her ranks