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( Emttntte . PAGE . FEEEITASOITS' MAGAZIUE : — The Holy Royal Arch 181 The War—Assistance to the Sick and Wounded 1 S 1 English Gilds 184 Es-Sakhrah ¦ 186 Freemasonry 188

Masonic Jottings—No . 35 190 Masonic Notes and Queries 190 Correspondence 191 Masonic Sayings and Doings Abroad 192 MASOHIO MIRROR : — Masonic Mems 193 CRAM LODGE M EETIUGS : —

Metropolitan 193 Scotland 191 Royal Arch 194 The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts 195 Masonic Ambition 198 The Temple at Paris 108 Progress 199 Reviews 200 List of Lodge , & c , Meetings for ensuing week 200

The Holy Royal Arch.

THE HOLY ROYAL ARCH .

LONDON , SATURDAY , AUGUST 27 , 1870 .

We give in another column an account of the consecration of a new chapter at Hammersmith , which commences its career under the most favourable auspices . It must be a source of congratulation to all Masons

tbat notwithstanding tbe unwillingness of tbe committee and officials of Grand Chapter to grant warrants to new chapters , their number is steadily

increasing . At the recent meeting of the Grand Chapter , arguments were adduced in favour of every lodge capable of maintaining it , having a Eoyal Arch Chapter attached , and there are cogent reasons why such should be the case .

In the first place , we are taught by the " Constitutions" that "Freemasonry shall consist of three degrees and no more , including the Holy Eoyal Arch . " If such be the case , and it is beyond controversy , it is the undoubted right of every Mason to receive what may justly be termed the completion of his initiation .

It should be the rule , rather than the exception that qualified brethren should be possessed of the E . A . degree . It seems an injustice to the initiate that when , for a stipulated sum , he is to receive the three degrees ( which , according to the " Constitutions , "

include the Eoyal Arch ) he is called upon ( if he desires to perfect himself in Masonic knowledge ) to pay a sum , in many instances equal to , or even exceeding the amount of his original initiation fees , besides the extra tax of a heavy annual subscription .

Sweeping reform is here needed , and we doubt not that at the next meeting of Grand Chapter , brethren will be found to take the matter in hand .

The Holy Royal Arch.

We would go so far as to propose , that to every lodge a chapter should be attached , that the lodge should be compelled to work the ceremonies of that degree at stated times , and that under certain restrictions , every duly qualified Master Mason , should have communicated to him the mysteries of the Eoyal Arch degree ,

and that without extra fees or subscriptions . This would entail some extra expense on the lodges , but they would soon be reimbursed their outlay by an increased amount of prosperity . Numbers would thus be induced to become candidates , and of those initiated

many more would become useful working members , and regular attendants at lodge and chapter , if the beautiful ceremonies appertaining to this degree were more widely disseminated .

The War—Aid To The Sick And Wounded.

THE WAR—AID TO THE SICK AND WOUNDED .

The exertions of the "National Society in aid of the Sick and Wounded in War , " have met with a great measure of success . Within four weeks from the calling of the first meeting to organise the society , no less a sum than £ 40 , 000 has been

collected in money , , besides a large amount of contributions in kind . Tho labour thrown upon the committee is immense , but many hands ( and those willing ones ) make light work . Nevertheless , the indulgence of subscribers has to be constantly

asked , on account of the difficulty of keeping the acknowledgments up to date , which occupy a column of The Times each day . There are many who are ready to contribute towards the good work ; but it has been pointed out to us that from

their not knowing what articles are useful for tho purpose they seek to serve , they consequently send many things whicli are totally useless' . We have been asked to publish a list of useful articles to obviate this difficulty for the future , and we

have much pleasure in subjoining a list of articles required for the sick and wounded : — Lint . —To be made as follows : —Out of clean , soft , white linen , neither too line nor too course . Cut the linen into pieces about four inches square , unravel it , and mix the threads up softlavoiding all knots and

y , hard threads . Different qualities of linen must not be mixed . Great care must be taken that both linen , and the hands of the person be perfectly clean . Linen . —Small pieces of soft old linen , fee from seams or hems , not less than 12 inches square . Bandages . —Two to four inches broad , of stout old

linen , or new unbleached shirting ( calico ) . These must be cut or torn the selvage way of the thread . The bandages of three yards in length to be li inch wide ; 4 yards , li inch ; G yards , 2-1- inches ; 8 yards , 2-j inches ; and 10 yards , 2-1- inches . The bandages most required are those from G to 10 yards in length .