An Analysis Of Ancient And Modern Freemasonry.

that it was not known in Ireland until 1751 . Bro . Spratt , the compiler of their contributions , never once mentions it , and their having derived that degree and the Knights Templar's from Kilwinning , is entirely fabulous . It seems to have been

imported in America about 1758 , and in Germany 17 . 81 , for a short time . The " abstract of laws for the Society of Royal Arch Masons , " by members under the regular Grand Lodge of England , although not recognised , was first published A . D . 1778 , and a second edition A . D . 1782 . The latter is inserted in

Eindel ' s "History of Freemasonry" ( page 196 ) , and is almost an exact reprint of the first edition , of which we have a copy . The preface is of an elaborate character , and mainly in support of the following statement , viz .: that " it is reserved

for the honour of this Society to show forth to the world the glory , poiver , and import of the Sacred Word in a much more perfect , clear , and ample manner than is now generally done . " The list of officers appended contain a goodly array of most

distinguished Masons . As we come nearer to the time of the union , Masonic Avriters frequently notice the Royal Arch favourably , e . g ., Smith , in " Use and abuse of Freemasonry , " page 344 , on the triangle , says "It must strike the learned Mason , but more

particularly the Royal Arch companion , " of the truth of his opinion expressed ; and in Browne ' s " Master Key " a list of regular chapters is appended to the roll of lodges , with their times of meeting , & c . Sandy and Findel nearly agree as to the elate of

formation of the Royal Arch chapter in London , to ivhich the abstract just quoted from , refers . The former inclines to 1877 , and the latter to one year earlier . For certain , hoAvever , no Grand Chapter Avas formed by members of our Grand Lodge

before A . D . 1770 , and we presume that its institution was regarded as a necessity from the growing popularity of the " Ancients , " in consequence o ? their being the promoters of the Royal Arch degree . Unquestionably the seceders owed their success chiefly to the fourth degree .

But Ave must draw these disconnected remarks to a close , rest content with the little we have done to elicit the early history of the degree , and to trace its true origin . It is a matter for sincere congratulation that the learned divine , the late Rev .

Dr . G . Oliver , has exhaustively treated this subject , and that a second edition was all but re-published ere he departed this mortal life , which is even

of more value than the former of A . D . 1837 ( Spencer , London ) . We know of no work to be compared ivith it for research and careful enquiry into the presumed antiquity and legitimate basis of the Royal Arch degree .

This learned Masonic author fixes the error of its introduction to a period which is coeval with the memorable schism amono-st the EnglishMasons O O about the middle of the last century ( page 6 ) . The words ancients and moderns are used by

him in their " general acceptation ; the former to designate the seceders , and the latter the constitutional Masons , although both were alike either ancient or modern , being equally derived from thesame source . " ( i . e . Grand Lodge of A . D . 1717 . )

" The fabrication of the English Royal Arch appears on their own showing ( i . e . the ancients ) tohave been their work , " and originally contained certain detailed events commemorated in Ramsay ' s-Royal Arch , the Knights of the Ninth Arch and

many others , particularly the rite , called theanciende Bouillon , ivhich Avas the real name of the degree , and it Avas on this authority that they denominated themselves ancient Masons ( page 27 ) .. Dr . Oliver believes that the degree as first conferred was in a Master ' s lodge , and we are inclined to

accept this as a fact , for the laws originally promulgated respecting the right to give the degree ,, acknowledged that " every regular and warranted lodge possesses the poiver of forming and holding meetings in each of these several degrees , the last

of which from its pre-eminence , is denominated a a chapter . " We are also not able to discover that the ancients were in the habit of granting warrantsto Avork the Royal Arch degree alone , but usually alloived the lodges to confer the degree by virtue

of their Craft warrant , and the candidate having passed the chair . " ( The latter ivas merely nominal . ) The union of the two Grand Chapters occurred in 1817 , under the title of the United Grand

Chapter of England , but some five years afterwards the name ivas changed to Supreme Grand Chapter-In the articles of union it is provided that there are but "three degrees and no more , " and in theceremonies of exaltation , the candidate is distinctly

told that the Royal Arch is not a fourth degree ,, but only the completion of that of a Master Mason . It is stated by Dr . Oliver , that " the last version of the Royal Arch is essentially different from the . ritual which ivas manufactured by the seceding brethren , and introduced by Dunckerley , Avith