Cokbesponmince.

indulge in an adherence to a law that has once been established , as if there were no circumstances whatever to occur that would render a modification of any one law desirable . I therefore hope , before long , to find that some active member of the Grand Chapter will propose and effectually carry a resolution , That a fortnight before the quarterly Convocation , each Chapter in England and Wales should have a copy of the questions to be submitted to the forthcoming Convocation . The Provincial Chapters would then have no excuse if they did not attend , to consent to or oppose anything that was important .

It appeared to me , sir , that there was not much reasonable argument advanced by those who advocated the non-confirmation of the minutes . It was advanced by one , that it would cause an influx of young Masons into the Supreme Degree , that would tend to lessen its importance . To the inference thus drawn I object ; if a candidate be initiated at twenty-one , can you deny him accession to the Royal Arch beyond fifteen months ? he is but little more than twelve months older , —a difference not worth notice : and it is a foregoing conclusion to assert , that he

would think the less of the Royal Arch Degree if he were exalted at the end of a month from taking his Degree of M . M . Another view I take is , that the advocates for the twelve months , in my humble opinion , lose sight of that important and justly-styled Sublime Degree of M . M ., in their over-estimation , comparatively speaking , of the Royal Arch . The grandeur and sublimity of the M . M . Degree are , I think , unquestionable ; and if such a Degree , involving in its ceremonial subjects of such vital importance to every one who has a soul susceptible of the

sublime impressions it is calculated to make , —if such a Degree as this can he conferred at the termination of two months in his Masonic life , by what process of reasoning can it be maintained that twelve months should elapse before he can be permitted to take the Royal Arch Degree ? Would he not be better fitted for it at that time ? Would he not be better able duly to appreciate the Supreme Degree , while his mind was keenly alive to the remembrance of the M . M / s

Degree , than after the lapse of twelve months' time had to some extent lessened and weakened his impressions ? I do not mean to undervalue the importance of the Royal Arch Degree , but I cannot suffer the M . M . ' s Degree to be as it were ignored and rendered so subservient to the Royal Arch . There is , in my judgment , no difference in their importance , or , as I have already said , their grandeur and their sublimity : if I am in error on this point , I should feel grateful if any more competent companion would in kindness correct me .

Another objection was started , viz ., that the charities would suffer : it may perhaps be asked , how ? It was stated , that if a young and aspiring candidate could obtain the Royal Arch Degree in a month instead of twelve , he would be debarred from being a Steward in one or other of the Charities , on account of the expenses of his initiation and exaltation , so that what ought to go to the

Charities , would come to the Grand Chapter funds , which ( it was also stated ) were in a flourishing state . Now this objection has nothing in it ; in twelve months the aspiring Mason , eager for honours , would be quite free to do his utmost in behalf of the Charities , and the Grand Chapter might also cure the evil so pointed out by more extensive support to the Charities on their part .

A few words on the cause of the proposed shortening of the time , viz . —Colonial complaints , of which I have only to say , that for consistency ' s sake I should put colonists on the same level with their Brethren in the Craft . There is , however , another reason , viz ., the facility with which the Royal Arch Degrees may be obtained by just popping over the border into the Sister Kingdom , The establishment of an uniform system of Masonry in the three kingdoms would be highly desirable : is it impracticahle ? There are two representatives from Scotland and Ireland in

Grand Lodge , who are doubtless Royal Arch Masons : if they were accredited by the Grand Chapters of Ireland and Scotland as representatives of those Grand Chapters in the Grand Chapter of England , I think much good might be effected . If it was practicable to effect an union in 1812 between the Grand Lodges in England , and , as an effect of that union , an uniformity of practice was established , I can see no reason why a conference on such subjects as may be deemed necessary be not held , the detail of which I will say nothing of here , whereby an uniformity of at least the times between the different Degrees in Masonry might