Royal Arch.

been done , and , therefore , the snbject could not be discussed . The recommendations of the committee , relative to the petitions for new Chapters was next taken into consideration . In the case of the Excelsior Chapter , to be attached to Lodge Faith , Hope and Charity , meeting at Ootacamund , Madras , it was moved by Comp . Savage , and carried that the prayer of the

petition he granted . The applications for the Vane Chapter , London , Zetland Chapter , St . Thomas , West Indies , were also granted . Upon the petition for Acacia Chapter , Potter's Bar , it was moved by Comp . J . Walters , that the Petition he granted , he said that although the Lodge had only been consecrated in

May of last year , it was in a flourishing condition , and the want of a chapter was much felt by the companions resident in the neighbourhood . He called attention to the fact that the committee , two years ago , had recommended the grant of a charter in conneetionwith a Lodge that had been established no longer than that now applying . He pointed out the

inconsistency' in refusing the charter in the present instance . Comp . Loewenstark seconded tbe proposition . Comp . Joshua Nunn objected to tho observations made by Comp . Walters . The Committee , he stated , had fully considered the subject , and he for one strongly objected to the granting of charters for chapters to lodges so recently established . He enquired of the Grand Scribe E . how many members there were on the rede of the Acacia Lodge , and how many of them resided at Potter ' s Bar .

The Grand Scribe E . could not give the information , as there was no return , but we understood it to be stated that there were about 20 members , very few of whom resided at Potter ' s Bar . Comp . J . J . Sabine , called attention to the committee having in the same report , recommended the granting of a charter for a chapter to be attached to a very recently formed Lodge , ( No . 1285 ) .

Comp . J . Savage , stated that the subject had received the serious attention of the committee , and that for various reasons which he stated , it was undesirable to attach chapters to lodges until the latter had been in existence at least three years and it was proved that they were in good working condition ; then under ordinary

circumstances they would he independent of any extraneous aid in filling the Principals' Chair . There would then , probably be three Installed Masters , who would be eligible , and it was fairly presumable that they would require such time to obtain sufficient kuowledge of the ceremonials to enable them" to perform the work . Comp . Savage considered it a

matter of the greatest importance that this subject should be thoroughly understood and legislated upon . He remembered , some thirty years ago , when the Robert Burns . Lodge , ( now No . 25 ) , was applied for , it was only after considerable discussion , it was agreed upon , although the lodge , wais then a very influential one , numbering over one hundred members , he

"believed , for many years prior to that period , no new chapter had been consecrated . It was not until about ten years ago , the policy of Grand Chapter had been relaxed , and that numerous new Chapters were established . Comp . Savage concluded by calling attention to the unsatisfactory state of many of those Chapters that had been recently established . He

warned the companions against tho wholesale granting of charters , and hoped that the present application would he refused . Comp . S . Rawson objected to one point raised by Comp .

Savage , against the granting of the charters . He pointed out that Past Masters in the Lodge although not Past Masters of the Lodge , were eligible for the Chairs of the Principals . He would impress this fact upon the Grand Chapter , in the interest of the colonial "brethren and

compa-. Comp . Sabine urged various reasons why the warrant should be granted . Comp . E . Snell objected to the granting of the Charter , as the number of the members of the lodge was so small , and he believed it undesirable to grant the Charter for the reasons stated by the committee .

Comp . Stevens supported tho motion of Comp . F . Walters , in an able speech , stating that there was no other Chapter in the neighbourhood . He considered that every lodge should have a Chapter attached to it , provided the number and rank of the members would enable a Chapter to be worked . Comp . Dr . Self also supported the motion , believing the

granting the present application would be desirable . The Acting Grand Z . summed up the arguments , and put Comp . Walter ' s motion as an amendment to the report of the Committee , ruling that that was the proper course . On the votes being taken , there were , for granting the Charter , 15 ; , against 25 .

The amendment was therefore lost . The M . E . Z . then put as a substantive motion the recommendation of the committee , referring to the petition , No . 4 , which was carried , 25 voteing for the motion , and 15 against it-The charter was therefore refused . The M . E . Z . was then asked whether the decision in theprecoed :

ing case was to be considered as apply ing to the petition , No . o The M . E . Z . decided that the two petitions must he considered separately , and that a vote musk ho token upon the petition No . a for it Charter to be attached to tho Lebanon Lodge , No .

1326 , Hampton . Comp . F . Walters , moved , as an amendment , that the prayer of thepetition be granted , and stated that although tha Lebanon Lodge was only a month or so younger than tho Acacia , the objections that may have had weig ht in the decision in the former case could not apply in the present instance , as there were several

competent Past Masters , members of the lodge , and a large proportion of the members resided near to the place of meeting . He trusted Grand Chapter would make an exception in favour of the present petitioners . Comp . J . J . Sabine in seconding Comp . F . Walters's amendment , suggested that if such difficulties were thrown in the way

of companions and members of the Craft , who were desirous of completing their Master Mason degree , ho feared it would load to great dissatisfaction and schisms amongst Royal Arch Masons . Comp . Savage objected to the granting of the prayer of the petition . He would not take up the time of Grand Chapter by repeating his objections , which applied in greater force in the

present instance , he saw nothing in the statement of tho mover and seconder to alter his opinion , and he felt that tho recommendation of the committee must be supported . Comp . Stevens proposed that the subject be referred back to the committee , as he considered it of grave importance that the subject of granting Royal Arch Warrants should be considered in

a more liberal spirit . The M . E . Z . ruled that Comp . Stevens was out of order . Comp . the Rev . C . J . Martyn supported the views of the committee and confirmed what had been mentioned by Companion Savage , as to the state , of many chapters both in London aud elsewhere .