The Threatened Secession From The Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter Of Scotland.—No. Iv.

ear of Provincial Grand Z . as the death-knell of Masonic tyranny in the west . The Glasgow Committee profess great faith in the judiciousness of the " course" likely to be adopted by them constituents—they are "

conscious " that their decision will " conduce to the true interests of Royal Arch Masonry everywhere . " By what means is such a desirable result to be attained ? Not , certainly , by unfurling the banner of disaffection and open revolt , and aiding

and abetting others to throw off their allegiance , and set at naught the authority of Supreme Chapter . In so conducting themselves , the Masonic savans of the west have inaugurated a new mode of endeavouring to obtain the redress

of their so-called grievances , which , after all , may be but the cravings of a restless ambition for supreme power . The appendix to the Committee's report betrays this , and for the gratification of that ambition , they hesitate not to

jeopardize the unity of the order in this country . Eeally the parties at the head of the rebellious movement seem to stand , very much in need of instruction . The following Ave beg to recommend to their " careful ancl prayerful consideration " .-

—"Avoid dissensions , jealousies , and piques ; Beware of party spirit and of cliques ; Let not desire for office be too keen , Ancl if defeated fairly , show no spleen . Onr choice of officers should always rest On those who Ave belie \* c will Avork the best—Good men and trueAvho Avill Avith heart and soul

, Exert themselves to benefit the Avbole ; And if the brethren differ in tbeir views , Eemember tbe majority must choose , And tbe minority can do no less Than in tbeir preference to acquiesce . "

As to the appointment of Grand Office-bearers , the CI-OAV Hotel Committee state that " the Avhole control of the body is now in the hands of a feAV , AA'ho from time to time elect themselves . " We dissent from this statement . The whole

Officebearers of the Supreme Chapter are annuall y elected by its members ; and the Supreme Grand Chapter consists of " the three Grand Principals , the Depute Grand Principal , all Past Grand Principals , Provincial Grand Superintendants , the

three Principals of Chapters in the District of Edinburgh , and of the three principals or Proxy-Princi pals of each Royal Arch Chapter holding a charter from it , and conforming to its regulations , and of such companions as may be elected by the

Supreme Chapter members for life . " How can it be said , then , that the " Avhole control of the bod y" is in the hands of a few , and that that feAV

elect themselves ? None but the wilfully blind can indorse such stuff . No doubt Companion Donald Campbell , of GlasgoAv , was at last election of Grand Office-bearers superseded in the office of Third Grand Principal by the appointment of

Companion Sir Arthur Halkett , but that was the doing- of Grand Chapter , and when the change was effected in the Avay the laws direct , Avhatever may have been the disappointment of the parties concerned , there Avere no good grounds afforded

for such a sweeping assertion as that now made by the Committee in their " reasons" for the hostile attitude they have assumed towards Supreme Chapter . No formal complaint , so far as we know , has as yet been made to Grand Chapter in

regard to any proceedings in connection with the election of Grand Office-bearers—it is unfair , then , in the Committee to raise a hue-and-cry against Supreme Chapter Avithout first having- exhausted the the means Avhich Grand Chapter LaAvs have placed

Avithin reach of all of bringing their grievances under the notice of the body having the power of redress , and from time to time endeavouring , by argument

and other legitimate means , to Avean the majority over to their OAvn way of thinking-. The Committee , and those whom they represent , have equal rights and privileges Avith other companions , and enjoy the same opportunities of letting their

desires be known , but Avithout even themselves , or through their representatives , raising the voice of remonstrance against the system of Grand Chapter elections , they come before " the world " as a lot of particularly ill-used members of the

Order , cheated out of their rights , and mulcted of their substance , for the aggrandisement of "the feAv" Avho " elect themselves" to Grand office . If the Committee are honest in their professions of

anxiety for the prosperity of "Royal Arch Masonry everyAvhere , " they will retrace their steps and conduct themselves more in keeping with , the principles of the Order than they have hitherto done . If it be true that the secessionists

contemplate applying to the Sister Grand Chapters for recognition as an independent body , it may be assumed , Avithout presumption , or pretending to second sight , that they will not be encouraged in their dismemberment of the Royal Arch Chapter

of Scotland by either of the Supreme Chapters of England or Ireland , who are knoAvn to have an exalted appreciation of what is clue to honour , amity , and their neighboiu-s . We began our third communication on the