Ancient And Accepted Rite.

then said , their next duty AVSS to acknowledge the presence of the Sov . P . R . S . of the 32 ° , the 111 . Bros . Kent , Goulden , Bowyer , and Pullen , who each anil all rendered great service to the chapter . — This was responded to by Bro . KE >' T , who referred to his beingselected only on account of seniority ; and in noticing the high position he had achieved , expressed a hope that all who entered the degree ivould be inspired to attain the highest rank under the Rite . —The 111 . Bro . JONES then rose and said thatwere the 111 .

, brother absent , he might enter into a long category of the qualifications of the excellent JIason whose health it was his ( Bro . Jones ) duty and pleasure to propose . Their JI . AA ' . Sov . had exhibited his fitness for the office by thus , on the night of his being placed in the chair , so ably installing so largo a number of membera into tho Order . —The JI . AA ' . Sov ., in reply , after acknowledging the way in which the toast had been proposed and receivedassured the brethren it

, would be his pleasure and pride , hy attention to the duties of the high station in which the kindness of the 111 . Princes had placed him , to give satisfaction to every member of the chapter . He then called on the Rev . Prelate to propose the next toast . — The 111 . Bro . AA ' . BOAATEE said , although they saiv brethren as their JI . AA' . Sov . rising to high honours , and each subordinate body by this means diminishedhence it was pleasing to see so goodly a

, number of candidates for the 18 ° had presented themselves . He hoped that the neivly-admitted brethren ivere so satisfied with what they had that night witnessed as to be induced to go further . He concluded by proposing the Sov . Princes , who had been that evening admitted to the Order . —The toast was acknoiA-ledged hy Bros . Richards , AA'illiam Smith , and Burrell . —The JI . AA ' . Sov . ¦ again rose and said thatin thus presiding for the first evening ,

, he could not but rcA-erfc to past times , and the excellent brethren who had preceded him in that high office . On that occasion he should especially refer to the distinguished brother who had that day retired . Personally he was deeply indebted to the 111 . Bro . Jones for instruction and guidance , and he was sure the same . sentiments pervaded the breast of every member of the chapter ;

and in proposing " The Health of the Past M . AA ' . Sov . " he would add an earnest prayer that he might long live to shed his light to assist and aid all who aspired to eminence . —The 111 . Bro . JOXES , in acknowledging the toast , referred to the eulogistic terms in which the JI . AA ' . Sov . had been pleased to notice the little good he had done . He could not hut express a wish that he deserved any praise , and a sincere hope he might be permitted to continue ivith them

for some few years longer ; and as those years rolled on , might the same kind faces and thesame good hearts remain to greet the . —Them JLAV , Sov . next proposed " The Health of fche 111 . Bro . who honoured the chapter by accepting the sacred office of prelate ; " and in doing so , referred to the importance of having a brother who could thus , by delivery of his portion of the ritual , throiv a lustre around the ceremonies . —The 111 . and Rev . Bro . BOIVVER , in reply , expressed his pleasure at attending the meetings of the chapterand alluded

, to the numbers of brethren engaged in the ministry whom he met , and who one and all acknoAvledged the benefit they derived from Masonry , and more especially ivhen they had been admitted to the ineflable degrees . —The M . AA' . Sov . then , in proposing "The Health of the Treasurer , " referred to the satisfaction all must feel that they had a brother of such high standing in social life , as well as in the Order , ivho ivould undertake the charge of their funds , wliich

they could not but feel were in safe keeping . —The 111 . Bro . GOUIDEX said , as time AA-as brief he should simply express his thanks for the acknowledgment of his services , and notice the great improvement he had been enabled to give to the ritual by his engagement of Bro . Horsley ' s professional talent . —The JI . AA ' . Sov . said that the lust toast ho had to propose Avas one of considerable importanceinasmuch as Avithout good officers the difficult

, y of effectually conducting the ceremonies AVUS very , very great . He was fortunate in obtaining the co-operation of officers of known ability . Bro . Pnllen ' s talent was woll-kiiOAvn throughout Masonry . In the Second General they had one Avhose acquirements in other degrees ivere a guarantee for a faithful discharge of his duties in this chapter . In Major Barney they had one who on previous occasions ably assisted in the absenco ' of others ; and in conferring

office on his dear friend , Bro . Blenkin , he ivas satisfied that , although a country JIason , he ivould be found equal to the duties of his office . Lastly , he noticed Bro . How , to whom he and all were indebted for the laborious duty of the day , and hy ivhose ability and care they had been enabled to go through the business , rendered difficult by the absence of the serving brethren . The 111 . Bro . PuXT . Ej- ' could confidentl that each and all who had

, y say accepted office would prove hy their attendance the obligation to discharge the duties efficiently . He wished to call to the attention of the brethren neivly-adinitted the high estimation in ivhich the degree ivas held on the continent ; the Prince Rose Croix was there considered the perfection of JIasonry ; and hence the Rose Croix -Alason should bo enabled to show bv iiiswholodemeanour hoirintich

Ancient And Accepted Rite.

benefit his character and mind were improved and enlarged by attaining- this supreme degree . He regretted that on this occasion that none of the Supreme Council wove present to tell the brethren , neivly admitted that , beyond this degree , the rite contained others of great value and beauty . Time did not permit him to enter into them further , but be had announced his intention in the A ' ectis Chapter to work some , if not all , those degrees . For himself and the other officers he could saynothing should be wanting on their part to

, render the Metropolitan Chapter second to none . As he had heard a good report of the state of its funds , he hoped that at future meetings something would , as then , be spared for charity . The pleasures of the evening wore much enhanced by the excellent music Bro . Horsley selected , and the brethren departed highly satisfied .

Colonial.

COLONIAL .

NEAV SOUTH AA'ALES . SVDXET . —A deputation of the Masonic body , consisting of the Deputy Prov . Grand Master , E . C , John AA'illiams , J . P ., the Right AVorshipful the JIayor , James Murphy , and Bros . R . AA' . Jloore , Thomas Turner , and AA ' . H . Aldis , director of the New Australasian Freemasons' Hall , accompanied by their Secretary , Bro . John A . Mathews , waited upon the Rev . George King , Incumbent of St . Andreiv ' s , on Saturday , October 12 th , to present that gentleman

with a testimonial , in the form of of a handsome silver tea service , in consideration of his prompt and kind assistance in his clerical capacity , at the laying ofthe foundation stone of the aboi'e-nauied hall , in Jlay last . It is considered somewhat irregular , for any other than brethren of the Order to officiate at any of these ceremonies , more particularly upon such an important occasion as the one referred to ; but the Reverend JIasonic Chaplain having been confined by sicknessand unable to attendapplication was

, , made to the Incumbent of the parish , the Rev . Jlr . King , who , in the true Christian and Masonic feeling , at once consented to officiate . Hence the presentation . The testimonial was handed to the rev . gentleman by the Deputy Prov . Grand JIaster , with the folloiving appropriate address : — " Australasian Freemasons' Hall , York-street , "Sydney , 12 th October , 1860 . " Reverend and Dear Sir , —I have been deputed by the brethren

of the JIasonic body , to request your acceptance of this small token of their esteem and regard , in remembrance of your prompt and kind services in connection with your divine calling , at tlie laying of the foundation-stone of the New Australasian Freemasons' Hall , on the 23 rd May last . "Believe me , reverend sir , I but speak the sentiments of fche brethren generally throughout the colony , when , I say , that they , as a body , truly appreciate and will ever have in grateful

remembrance the brotherly manner in which you performed the duties entrusted to you on that occasion , more particularly because you are not a member of our time-honoured institution , —and that they sincerely venerate with affection your character as a minister of religion and a man , wo sincerely believe , worthy to exercise those offices attendant on your sacred mission . " Jlay the Great Architect of the Universe grant you long life , to teach by practice on this earth , as you have ever done—charity , morality , and religion .

" I remain , reverend and dear Sir , " Yours very faithfully , ( Signed ) "JOHN AVILLIAMS , Chairman of the Australasian Freemasons' Hall Company , and D . Prov . G . JI . of Free and Accepted Jlasons of NOAV South AA ' ales , E . C . " Reverend George King , Incumbent of Sfc . Andrew , Sydney . " To the address the reverend gentleman returned the folloiving

reply -. — " St . Andreiv's Parsonage . " Sydney , October 12 , 1860 . "To the A'ery AVorshipful the D . Prov . G . JI ., and the Directors of the Australasian Freemasons' Hall Company . " Gentlemen , —I thank you most sincerely for the very kind and affectionate address ivhich you have been pleased to present to me ,

as a memorial of the service ivhich I had the honour of performing at the laying of the foundation stone of the JIasonic Hall in this city , and for the very handsome tea service of plate ivhich accompanies it . "Vour high acknowledgment of my humble service , I must ascribe to your own kind impulse and generous feeling rather than to any merit which can be found in the part which I was privileged to undertake in your sacred ceremonial ; and your expressed approval of my character as a minister of religion and a man , I feel to lie a meed of honour far above my humble deserts . The performance of the duty ivhich you kindly appropriated to me on that