Royal Arch.

ROYAL ARCH .

BOMBAY . MOUNT ELBAETJZ CHAPTER , ( NO . 123 ' S . C . )—An emergency meeting of this chapter was held at the Masonic Hall , Colaba , on the 3 nd February , 1870 . Present : —M . E . Comps . Pestonjee , Bazonjee , P . Z . ; Muncherjee Framrose , P . 11 . ; E . Freeborn , P . P . Z . as J . ; E . Comps- Rustomjee Cowasjee , as Scribe E . ; Ruttonjee Manockjee , Scribe N . ; F . N . Coyajee , Prin , Soj .,

Jamsetjee Eduljee Treasurywalla , 2 nd do . ; Dinshaw Dorabjee Mistry , 3 rd do . ; Pherozeshaw Rustomjee , as I . J . ; C . S . Patel , O . J . Members : Comps . Rustomjee Hormusjee Mistry , Sorabjee Palonjee , Dadabhoy Rustomjee , N . Coyajee , aud Jamsetjee Nussei-Wiuvjee Dacly . Tbe chapter was opened with pirayer , and the summons convening the meeting was read . The ballot was taken for Bros . Dinshaw Nowrojee Sackelothwalla and Limjee Jamsetjee Bottliboy , candidates for exaltation , which proved

clear . M . E . Comp . Freeborn proposed , ancl M . E . Comp . Pestonjee Basonjee seconded , that M . E . Comp . Colonel L . AV . Penn , of Chapter St . Andrew's in the East , he elected an honorary member of this chapter . There being no further business before the chapter , it was closed with prayer . At the same time and place the regular meeting of Mount Elbaruz Lodges of Mark Masters and Past Masters was held , when Bro . Limjee Jamset- I jee Bottliboy was duly advanced and installed in these degrees , i

History Of Freemasonry.

HISTORY OF FREEMASONRY .

The Builder gives a lengthy notice of the . second edition of the English version of Bro . Findel ' s work , from ¦ which , we select the following : — " Wide , generous , and pleasant , -with , its corn fields and vineyards , universities and meerschaums , traditions of free cities and great guilds , Germany is the very site for the luxuriant growth of an embracing , expansive

brotherhood , like that of the Freemasons ; but it is not of the German lodges , so much as of the society generally , that -we are minutely informed in this work . In various parts of Europe and America there are , at the present day , about 9 , 000 lodges , with 70 grand lodges , to which they arc subordinate , forming invisible connecting lines of fellowship over this vast surface , having

for asserted aim tho exaltation of mankind in morals . The histories of these lodges in modern times are doubtless of interest , if only for the record of well-known names among the members , such as Elias Ashmole in au English lodge , Thomas Boswell , of Auchinlech , in a Scottish one ; Daniel O'Connell in an Irish one ; and Benjamin Franklin in a Pensylvanian lodge ; but it is the aucient history of Freemasonry properl y spoken of now as its

legends and superstitions , that will have most attraction for non-Masonic readers . "Among the documents appended is the form of an examination of a German " Steinmets * , " — stonemason . We pick out a few questions for extract : — " ' AVarden . —How do we recognise a Mason ? " ' Stranger . —By his honesty !

"' AVarden . —AVhero was the worshipful craft of Masons in Germany first instituted ? '" Stranger . —At the Cathedral of Magdeburg , 876 . " ' Warden . —What was the name of the first Mason ? "' Stranger . —Anton Hieronymus , and the working tool was invented by AYalkan . ( Perhaps corruptions of Adonhiram and Tubal Cain . )

"' Warden . —How many words has a Mason ? " ' Stranger . —Seven . "' Warden . —AVhat are they ? '" Stranger—God bless all honesty , God bless all honourable wisdom , God bless the worshi pful craft , God bless the Worshi pful Master , God bless the AVorshipful Warden , God bless the Worshipful Society , God bless all honourable promotion hei-e , and all places on sea or land .

"' Warden . —What dost thou carry under thy tongue ? "' Stranger . —A praiseworthy Truth . ?' " Freemasonry has come to the front lately in two dis-

History Of Freemasonry.

f tant parts of Europe . It was the Masonic lodges o Madrid that conducted the funeral of Don Enrique de Bourbon a few days ago ; filling the chamber of death with Masonic symbols , and placing on the coffin , with the dead prince ' s sword and and sash , more Masonic emblems ; and sending 600 fellow Masons as mourners to his grave . Againthough the fraternity

, takes no part in political or ecclesiastical contests generally , the Grand Lodge at Baireuth has now broken this transcendental silence , and issued a circular directing attention to the proceedings of the CEcnmenical Council , A'indicating the ri ght of the society to exist- in spite of ecclesiastical opposition , and calling upon members to perform the moral duties with zeal and exactitude , and

uphold the freedom of science and of conscience . The adhesion of H . R . H . the Prince of AVales has given Masonry a fresh spurt in England . At the recent dinner in aid of the Boys' School , at which the Prince presided , more than £ 10 , 000 was subscribed . If modern Masons are not otherwise practical , they certainly are so in charity . Attention thus drawn to the subject , many

will , doubtless , like to get some particulars of this remarkable organization , now numbering about 600 , 000 members : and to these we commend Mr Findel's book as containing much of the information they require . It is freer from nonsense and error than other attempts of the kind , but the real history of Masonry is yet to be written .

St. Kitts, West Indies.

ST . KITTS , WEST INDIES .

We have much pleasure in reproducing from bhe St . Christopher Gazette , the following address from the Hon . Joseph King Wattlcy , ( Chief Justice ) , R . W . M . of the Mount Olive Lodge , ( S . O . ) , to the brethren , and their reply thereto : —• "My brethren , the time has come when I must say that ominous word 'Farewell' it may be—for whom , but

God knows—for ever . I need not tell you the pain it gives me , for I feel— in idea— -the vibration of your highly strong faithful hearts re-echoing the solemn word that separates the ' Master ' from his ' Craft . ' 'Tis sad this in itself—but there is consolation that it does not sever the mysterious link of our indissoluble chain . This under the auspices of the Most High will remain secure till it

pleases Him in whose hands are the issues of Life and Death to snap it asunder . I leave you then , brethren in person—your Master leaves his lodge to seek his fortune in another clime—but I leave brotherly Jove and good wishes in my lodge aud amongst my brethren . May I not call you my Masonic children , for I see only seven of you who have not had the ' predominant wish of your heart' gratified by my command . But above all brethren

whilst taking my leave , my prayers ascend to the Throne of Grace for your success , not only collectively , but individually . Brethren my purpose is not to resign either my seat as a member , nor tbe chair of the lodge . This is the course I resolved at the first . M y resolution has been strengthened with the knowledge that will promote thc interests of the Craft , in respect to the

erection of a lodge at Tobago . Vigorous efforts are now being made in this behalf , by a ' zealous and expert ' brother , which will under God ' s blessing , be promoted by my remaining the Master of a working lodge . I shall thereby , with the sanction of our mother lodge , be enabled to consecrate the new lodge and instal its officebearers . Already is the petition transmitted so as to

secure my services during my tenure of office . Brethren I review the past in connection with Freemasonry with pleasure and satisfaction , and I look to the future with happy hopes . Let me commend to you my loewn tenons-Bro . Past Master Cardin , [ since dead ] who has laboured well in his vocation and has served the lodge faithfully It will gratify mo when far away , to hear you have rallied around him in token of your approval of my course of action . Now then brethren ' farewell , ' and