Most Excellent Mason.

MOST EXCELLENT MASON .

Q . —Have you such a degree ? If so , where and by what and whose authority is it conferred ? If conferred , is it recognized by the Grand Lodge or

Grand Chapter ? Have they such a degree in Ireland and Scotland ? A . —AVorked in England in connection with the Mark Grand Lodge ; in Scotland , sixth degree , as before mentioned .

ROYAL ARCH MASON . Q . —Under what and whose authority is the Royal Arch conferred ? A . —By Grand Chapters , in England , recognized

by Grand Lodge ; in Scotland not recognized by Grand Lodge ; in Ireland virtually recognized by Grand Lodge . Q . —Is the Grand Chapter a separate

organization , ( that is , independent , ) and are subordinate Chapters distinct organizations , and do they work under Chapter Warrants ? A . —Grand Chapters are separate organizations .

Q . —What are the qualifications of candidates for the degree ? A . —In England , twelve months a Master Mason , unless by dispensation . Any number ,

even one , may be exalted the same evening . AVe never neither have ( or have had ) any rule requiring three candidates to be exalted at one time , whether more or less , ( proxies or otherwise ) in this country ,

as it is in the United States . Q . —AVho are its officers ? A . —( Z . ) Zerrubabbel , or First Principal ; ( H . ) Haggai , or Second Principal ; ( J . ) Joshua , or

Third Principal ; Chaplain ; Treasurer ; Scribe E ., ( Ezra ) ; Scribe N ., ( Nehemiah ) ; Principal Sojourner ; Assistant Senior and J nnior ditto . Director of Ceremonies , Sword Bearer , Stewards ,

Banner Bearer and Janitor . All are elected by the members , but the Assistant Sojourners , who are chosen by the Principal Sojourner , ( P . S . ) The three Principals must be actually Past Masters of

Craft Lodges , and they must be taken seriatim annually . AVe may mention that the Three Sojourners are mentioned in the constitutions of the Royal Arch , 1778 and 1782 , and so in all

editions since , under the " Moderns ( so called , but really " Ancients . " ) Tho quotation from the earliest laws of the Society under the Moderns we must give respecting these officers , & c . 1 .

" That according to ancient custom , a complete Chapter of the Supreme Degree of Masonry , consists of three Principals , who when in Chapter assembled , are to be considered conjointly

as the Master , and each severally as a Master ; two Scribes , three Sojourners , and seventy-two others , as council ; and that no regular Chapter of this exalted degree can consist of more : but that

any number may be . exalted and received as companions , though not to hold the staff' of office , or be consideredas councillors , when more than that

number are present . " Q . —Have you such ' a degree or order as High Priesthood ?

A . —High Priesthood not recognized . Separate ceremonials , however , at installation of each of

the Principals , and at opening only Past or Present Principals are present . Q . —Is there any difference in the work of England from that of Ireland , Scotland , and the

Most Excellent Mason.

United States , and have any changes been made of late years ? A . —None of much importance , excepting in

Ireland , where the officers are more after the American sty le . No change made of late years . Q .- —Is the . degree , as worked now in England , that of the Ancients or Moderns—Anderson or

Dermett ? A . — -A union of both in 1817 . Q . —Do you use the words " Holy Royal Arch ?"

A .- — "Hol y Royal Arch" never occurs in our Regulations , and is never used by Grand Chapter . The degree is often so called in our Chapters , and so designated in our Summonses . The term

arose under the " Ancients , " but in their " Amman Rczon " for 175 6 , the degree is called Royal Arch . In 1807 it has the prefix Holy under the same Body .

The Grand High Priest concludes by saying , '' Companion Hughan has promised to be the English correspondent for this Grand Chapter , and will furnish hereafter sketches of the Past

Master , Most Excellent , and Royal Arch . Although comparatively a young man , the works he has already presented to the Masonic Fraternity bear

the marks of a deep research into the records of the past , and he has brought to light much valuable information relatinir to the early history of

Freemasonry . The Grand High Priest finally concludes his own excellent address as follows . " Thus beginning a New Year , it becomes us , as Royal

Arch Masons , upon whose frontlets is inscribed Holiness lo lite Lord , to invoke the presence , aid , and protection of the Omnipotent , Omniscient , and Omnipresent fehovah , that he may be with

us at our beginning , middle , and ending , that all our doings may tend to His Glory and the salvationof our Souls . Relying implicitl y upon Him , we need fear no danger . "

Consecration Of The Whitwell Lodge, No. 1,390.

CONSECRATION OF THE WHITWELL LODGE , No . 1 , 390 .

In the unavoidable absence of the Earl of Bective , the Prov . G . M ., and Bro . Whitwell , M . P ., D . Prov . G . M ., the ceremony of consecration was

perlormed by Bro . Busher , Past Grand Sword Bearer of England , Prov . G . S . Cumberland and Westmoreland , assistedby Captain Mott , R . N . R .

P . Prov . G . D . West Lancashire , and Bro . Morten , P . Prov , G . S . W . of Cumberland and Westmoreland ; Bro . Mott acted as Chaplain .

The business of the day was successfully accomplished and the impressive manner in which the proceedings were conducted will not soon be forgotten by those whose privilege it was to br present .

The three P . M . ' s who bore the corn , wine , and oil , were Bros . Case , Barber , andT . Dodgson , of Lodge of Furness , No . 99 1 ; . The ceremony of installation of the W . M .

designate , Bro . Roger Dodgson , 86 , S . W . 99 IJ , was very ably and impressively rendered by the S . W . designate , Bro . T . Dodgson , P . M . 99-,

assisted by Bro . Mott . The lodge is held in a private room , and is very beautifully furnished , all the appointments

Consecration Of The Whitwell Lodge, No. 1,390.

of the p lace being in excellent taste , making it charmingly attractive . The furniture , jewels , & c .,. were supplied by Bro . Kenning , of London and Liverpool , and nothing is wanting to make the lodge perfectl y adapted for proper working .

A gratifying fact was the presentation , on the occasion , of a beautiful large Bible for the lodge , by Bro . Whitwell , D . P . G . M ., suitably inscribed ; a box of working tools of the best workmanshi p

by Bro . Busher , Prov . G . S . B . ; a case containing handsome square and compasses , by Bro . R . Pearson , W . M . 995 ; a perfect ashlar and windlass , by the W . M ., a pair of globes by the J . W ., Bro .

Mills , and a ballot box in polished oak , by the S . W . The AV . M ., who appeared well versed in his duties , appointed his officers as follows : —Bros .

T . Dodgson , S . W .,- Mills , J . W . and Treas . ; Meredith , Sec . ; Dodd , S . D . ; Hudson , J . D . ; JPostlethwnite , l . G .

A pleasing incident was the proposition of a large number of joining members , as well as a good list of very eligible candidates for initiation . The AV . M . proposed the following distinguished

brethren , as honorary members : —Bros . AVhitwell , Busher , Mott , and Barber , a compliment feelingly and warmly acknowledged by those of the

brethren who were present . Bro . Busher remarked with agreeable surprise , that it was the first time in the course of his lontr Masonic career

thatsuch an honour had been conferred upon him , and he gratefully accepted it . After the lodge was finally closed the brethren adjourned to an excellent dinner at the Station

Hotel , presided over b y the AV . M . with great ability . The well known cordiality and affability of the Prov . Grand Officers made the after-dinner proceedings every thing that could be desired , and a

most enjoyable evening was spent by all present . The very favourable auspices under which this lodge has been started augurs well for its future success , and the officers appointed are a guarantee for its full and proper working .

Consecration Of The Morning Star Lodge, Newton Abbot.

CONSECRATION OF THE MORNING STAR LODGE , NEWTON ABBOT .

A special meeting of the Masonic Provincial Grand Lodge of Devon was held at Newton Abbot . The business was the constitution and

consecration of a new lodge , to be known as the Morning Star Lodge , No . 1396 , and to beheld in that town . The brethren assembled at noon at the lodge rooms at the Queen ' s Hotel .

Amongst those present were R . A \ . Bro . the Prov . G . M ., the Rev . J no . Huyshe , M . A ., P . G . Chap , of England ; V . AV . Bros , the Rev . C . R . NT . Lyne , M . A ., P . G . Chap . ; W . G . Rogers ,

P . G . Sec ; J . Harris , P . Prov . Reg . ; the Rev . Dr . AV . L . Pope , P . Prov . G . Chap . ; H . Miller , Prov . G . D . C . ; If . Bartlett , P . Prov . G . A . D . C . ; T . Lidstone , P . Prov . G . S . O . AV . ; J , Austin ,

P . Prov . G . O . ; J . M . Hifiey , E . Aitken Davies , and H . W . Hooper , Prov . G . Stewards ; AV . Bros . W . Dodd , P . M . 1194 ; Capt . J . W . Keyworth , W . M . 164 ; Capt . Webb Elphinstone ,

W . M . 372 ; J . N . Blake , P . M . 230 ; P . B . Clemens , P . M . 954 ; H . M . Bartlett , P . M . 303 . ; J . J . Drake , AV . M . elect 139 6 ; Bros . \ V . L . Yates , 328 5 J . C . Curtis Pillar , J . W . 1358 ; J .