The Masonic Dispute In The Western District Of Scotland.

interest at heart , hut that of self ; no consideration for the rights of Prov . Grand or daughter Chapters , but so far as these contribute and are subservent to its grasping power , a system which , if tamely and supinely submitted to , will make Royal Arch Masonry in Scotland a byeivord ancl laughingstock throughout the world . The whole control of the body is now in the hands of a few , who from time to time elect themselves , no Companion belonging to the western district—with , we think , the exception of three—has for a number of years been elected an Office-bearer of Supreme Chapter . But your committee think the time has now come whan such state of matters must

no longer exist , and they feel that the Companions of the western district , as ivell as those throughout Scotland , will no longer he trampled on ; ancl only made the means of throwing funds into the hands of those who care for nothing but their own immediate interests ; they hesitate not to affirm that you know ancl will cause your importance to be felt . Your committee would therefore leave the matter in tbe hands of the Companions of the AVestconscious that will decide on the

, you most judicious course to be pursued for yourselves , and also that which will most conduce to the true interests of Eoyal Arch Masonry everywhere . Subjoined , your committee beg to lay before you a statement , extracted from the Supreme Grand Eoyal Arch Chapter of Scotlaud Reporter , for the year endihg 31 st March , 1862 . Number of intrants recorded" ) „ -, i 15

in Supreme Chapter , 1861-62 ) - Eecorded in Edinburgh City , IS Recorded in Scotland less the ¦) „ ,, __ Western District j ~ b ~ 4 < i Eecorded by Chapters in the Colonies , 113 = 157 Eecorded in Glasgow City , 113 Eecorded in the rest of the ) , „ , _ . „ „ AVestern District \ 4 o = loS - 315

Thus showing that the Western District has recorded more than half the Eoyal Arch Masons exalted during the past year . The above statement needs no comment . E . AV . PHITOHAKD , M . D ., Chairman . ALEX . M'MASTEB , JNO . 17 . ALEX . AA ' AISON „ 18 . H . CAMPBELL , „ 50 .

IBA ' FERGUSON , „ 50 . JAMES COWAN , . „ 50 . JN . B . DALVEEN , „ 67 . THOS . M ' K . CAMPBELL , „ 69 . JAMES JBANNAIITN -E , . „ 69 . GEORGE LAXG , „ 73 . T . D . FAIELIE , „ 76 . J . _\ IusE STESZ , „ 78 . JOHN DAA ' IDSON , „ 79 . AA ' ILLIAM TAYLOR , ., 87 . ROBERT AVALLACE , Interim See ,

Masonic Notes And Queries.

MASONIC NOTES AND QUERIES .

REFUTED MASONIC SINGING . In an old and somewhat obsolete book , professing to be an exposure of tbe Masonic secrets , there are some curious customs adverted to , ancl an extract or tivo may not be out of place in Masonic Notes and Queries . It says : — " When tho brethren , after having conversed for

some time , appear disposed to sing the happiness of the society , the Grand Master employs for that purpose either the second assistant , or whichei'er of tho brethren he thinks best qualified to acquit himself to general satisfaction . In the first-rate lodges , w-hen the Grand Master orders a song , it is accompanied by a concert of French-horns and other instrumentswhose harmonious

, sounds are symbols of the union and good intelligence in which the happiness of the brothers consists . This concert being ended , they sing the hymns of the fraternity . These hymns are of several sorts : some are for the assistants , others for the Master , others for thefelloivcrafts , and they at last finish by those of apprentices . Whenever a lodge is held , the songs of the felioAV-crafts

Masonic Notes And Queries.

and aijprentioes are sung ; when the last song is sung , the servants who , arc called serving brethren , and w-ho aro likewise of the order , come to the Master ' s table , ancl bring with them their canons charged , which they lay upon the master ' s table , and seat themselves amongst them . They all stand up and form a chain * * * * They then sing the following :

"Te brethren all , "Whom Freemasons men call , Without care or strife , In joy pass this life , Be a full brimmer still , ~\ Your defence ' gainst all ill , > And the jovial glass fill , )

To the health of all , Freemasons all , We are brethren both great and small . " "This Avhimsical jumble of servants and masters seems at first sight odd and extrai-agant , however , if Ave consider it in its true light , we must acknowledge that it does great honour to humanity in general , and to the society of Freemasons in particular . 'Tis just to say ,

that equality of brethren is real amongst them , and not a vain denomination . Amongst Freemasons , the serving brethren taste the same pleasures ivith their Masters , they enjoy the same privileges , and this must reflect the highest honour upon the society . "—Ex . Ex .

KNIGHTS TEMPLARS SONG . When in the United States I heard a Templars song beginning;—" As when the weary traveller gains The height of some commanding hill , His heart revives , if o ' er the plains He sees his home , though distant still . "

Where are" those words taken from , or Avho is their author ?—T . S . EAPODAM . Is "Eafodam " a he ? If so who was he ? Where is he ? And what has he do ivith Masonry?—NJETJTEKGrENDBR . MASONIC APRON WITH A POCKET .

What degree is 'it where the apron is made with a pocket in it ?—JR . —[ That of Provost and Judge . ] PH 0 T 0 C-AMS OF GEAND OITICEES . Where are photographs ofthe Grand officers and other popular Masons to be obtained ?—A COLONIAL MASON .

The Earl Of Dalhousie.

THE EARL OF DALHOUSIE .

( From a Correspondent . ) The Past Deputy Grand Master of England , Lord Dalhousie , while enjoying the mountain breeze Avhich . Inlays around his highland home , is not forgetful of th & claims which the British Yolimteers have upon all , whose influence , either in a public or a private capacity , is of

use in promoting a movement for the national defence , which merits tho admiration of every lover of constitutional liberty . His lordship the other clay , as Lord Lieutenant of Forfarshire , for of ivhieh Masonic district he is also Provincial Grand Master , attended a great gathering of Volunteers at Montrose , and presided at

the distribution of prizes awarded to tbe best shots of the different corps reviewed . Lord Dalhousie , who is deservedly popular in Scotland as a Mason , besides having a seat in Grand Lodge as a Provincial Grand Master , has also tbe honour of representing in Grand Lodge the Supreme Head of the Order in the sister kingdom of England .