British Burmah.

and brotherly love . All saluted , singing ""Hallelujah , " Amen . Principal Z . then gave the invocation : — "I hereby invoke the sacred name of the Great " I am , " to whom be all honor and glory now and ever . " So mote it be . "Jfay He bo with us to strengthen us in the principles of our Order , to prosper us with success in all our undertaking , and direct our zealous efforts to the good of Masonry in general ,

and to this Royal Burmah Chapter in particular . " By the divine aid I implore the Most High to pour down His blessing on this chapter , and to dedicate ifc to the sacred interests of morality aud religion , and may the Most High be ever with us all . " So mote it be . " In the name of the Most High , I finally declare the Royal Arch Chapterstled Royal Burmahto be duly dedicated and

, y , consecrated to all the purposes of Royal Arch Masonry , and may the blessing of our God ever rest upon ifc . " So mote it be . Z .: Glory to God on high , H .: On earth peace ; J .: Good will to men . Ode—Air , " Rule Britannia . "

Almighty sire , our Heavenly King , Before whose sacred name we bend , Accept the praises which we sing , And to our humble prayer attend . All hail ! Great Architect divine , The universal frame is Thine . That sacred place where three in one ,

Compris'd Thy comprehensive name ; And where the bright meridian sun Was soon Thy glory to proclaim . AU hail , & c . On thy omnipotence we rest Secure of Thy protection here , And hope hereafter to be blest

, When we have left this world of care All hail , & c . Inspire us with Thy grace divine , Thy sacred law our guide shall be ; To every good our hearts incline , From every evil keep us free . All hail , & e .

Prinaipal Z . then addressed the chapter : — Companions , —AVe have now constituted , consecrated , and dedicated the Royal Burmah Chapter , its acts will now be legal , and in accordance with the laws and regulations of the Supreme Grand Chapter . We have installed the new Principals , who have each ruled a Craft lodge , I have now only to pray the Most High to prosper us and this chapter .

You have all learnt to value this our noble Order , and to appreciate the sublime precepts ifc inculcates , and you are all practically acquainted with the exalted mysteries of the Hol y JRoyal Arch Degree . It would be superfluous in me to point out its excellencies . You learn , however , in this degree truths that must astound yet fascinate you , and such as should incline your hearts still more to glorifying God and to loving one another .

The mysteries of this degree are so interwoven with all that is or ought to be most dear to us , as reasoning and responsible beings , with a future to look to , that ifc should cause us each seriously to reflect on those mysteries , and to ask ourselves , " are our actions such as tell us that we are living as if we loved His sacred name ?" The third degree taught you to look to a future and better state , —to the immortality of the soul , —bidding , yon look to

that bright morning star , whose rising brings peace and eternal salvation to the obedient of the human race . In this degree you discover what was wanting to complete the former degree ; you learn that the Triune God , who is the Great " I am , " the Lord of all power and might , the eternal Father of all , will be faithful to His promises . Let us each seriously contemplate the advantages to be learnt in this sublime degree . Let this new chapter inspire us with more charity to all men : that charity as shown in words and even in

British Burmah.

thoughts , as well as deeds , and let it cement us one to another more firmly in brotherly love . There is much for us to do ; our Charities at home need all our help . The Asylum for the Aged , both men aud women , the Schools for both boys and girls , children ot deceased and of destitute brethren call for new energies from each of us . Let this new degree inspire us then with more energy in God ' s cause , and in that of our fellow-creatures .

Companions , —I do not doubt but that we shall progress well , I however earnestly trust that all we do will be done strictly in conformity with the laws and regulations of the Supreme Grand Chapter of England and AA'ales , and with the usages and customs of this Order , and also with a true feeling of Masonic love to one another , and good wishes for the success of this chapter , Royal Burmah . Lastlbe assured that a few zealous Masons will do more

y , for our noble Order and its benevolent institutions , than numbers without real Masonic zeal . Let us then , with this new degree , do our best to establish ifc on that firm basis of " Glory to God , and love to our neighbour . " I now trust that with the aid of Him , without whom nothing is strong , we shall go and prosper . It shall ever be my earnest endeavour as your 1 st Principal Z . to advance this

chapter , to please you all and to merit the high position I now occupy . I pray the Great "I am" to have each and all of us in His keeping , that He will purify our hearts and enable us to devote

our lives and our best energies to His service , and that out of the store that he has supplied us each with , we may assist and benefit His needy creatures , and may we all at last abide under His most Holy JName in the Grand Chapter above for ever . So mote it be . Hallelujah , Amen . " The by-laws were then submitted for approval , and were passed to be forwarded for confirmation , and to be printed after being 'approved , of by the three Principalis to whom the

Companions left the matter . Ex-Comp . Duncan said that he could not but express his admiration at the splendid manner in which the degree had been conferred by JI . E . Z . Col . Greenlaw , as well as the other ceremonies this evening . It was seldom indeed that he had ever witnessed such skill in giving a degree in Freemasonry . The opening of this chapter completes four degrees we have now in British Burmahand all through the exertions of our

, M . E . Z . He has given an impetus to Freemasonry which has not failed to have an effect in other provinces in British India . The zeal shown by Ex-Comp . Col . Greenlaw , and Ex-Comp . G . O'Donnell , Principals of this chapter , and of that of Horning Star Chapter , has not failed to be recognised by the Prov . Grand Lodge of Bengal , the former having been elected an Honorary Member of that Prov . Grand Lodge ; the latter appointed its J . G . AA' " . for the ensuing year .

He proposed a vote of thanks to M . E . Z . Col . Greenlaw , for the great trouble he had taken in getting up the chapter in the magnificent style in wliich they then saw ifc ; this was carried unanimously . There being no further business , the chapter was closed in ancient form .

Turkey.

TURKEY .

CONSTANTINOPLE . —Italia Lodge—The installation of the AV . JI . of the Italia Lodge , under the Grand Orient of Italy , took place on the 26 th Feb ., when Bro . Veneziani retired , and installed as his successor Bro . N . Camondo , son of the great Jewish banker . Bro . Camondo distinguished himself before his introduction to Jlasonry by defending Jewish Masons against a social persecution . The hall of the Italia Lodge was filled by a large body of members aud visitors . Deputations attended

from the Oriental , Deufcscher Bund ( German ) , Buhver and Arete ( Greek ) Lodges under the Grand Lodge of England ; the Leinster , of the Grand Lodge of Ireland ; the Germania , of the Grand Lodge of Hamburg ; and the Union d'Orieut , of the Grand Orient of France . Each deputation was received with JIasonie honours . As a mark of esteem for Bro . Camondo , the ceremony was attended by Bro . Hyde Clarke 33 ° and acting

, , District G . JI . A deputation was sent out of the lodge , with the Dir . of Cers . and seven lights carried by two K . H ., and five S . P . R . C , and the 111- Bro . entered under a vault of steel . AV . Bro . Veneziani having tendered him the gavel , which was declined , proceeded to offer to him the thanks of the lodge ,