Our Architectural Chapter.

OUR ARCHITECTURAL CHAPTER .

LONDON , SATURDAY , nKGHUBKR 2- ! , IS-iO .

WE have received several communications relative to the resolution agreed to at the last Grand Lodge for assisting the brethren in the country in the erection of Masonic halls by loans from the general funds of Grand Lodge , and asking us how the proposed scheme is likely to bo carried out . We are not in the counsels of the Board of General Purposes

, and therefore can give no definite information as to its intentions—if indeed tho scheme has yet been sufficiently matured for a reply to bo given , even by the members themselves . We should imagine , however , that the brethren desiring to erect such a hall must , in the first instance , collect amongst themselves a fair proportion of the expense

of the proposed building—say at least one half or two thirds —the latter amount we conceive the best—and that Grand Lodge , on the completion of the building will , on its approval by a competent surveyor , take a mortgage of the property , and advance the remainder of the cost of building and furnishing . It will be apparent to all that great care must be

taken not to advance too large a proportion of the cost ; because , however valuable a building may bo as a Masonic hall , it will probably be much depreciated should it unfortunately at any time have to be diverted from i fcs original purpose and converted to some other use . The next part of the scheme to be considered ishow are tho funds advanced

, to be returned to the Grand Lodge ? as it is perfectly clear that the mortgage cannot be allowed to stand out for more than a given number of years ; and we would suggest that it should be so arranged that the whole capital , with the

interest , might be returned into the coffers of Grand Lodge by annual payments . Thus , supposing £ 200 were advanced , . 1 payment of £ 25 per annum would in ten years redeem , the mortgage , and give to Grand Lodge an average return of five per cent , for the use of the capital ; the total amount returned being £ 250 . Whereas , were the capital allowed to

stand out the whole ten years , it would cost tho brethren £ 30 per annum— £ 10 for the regular payment of interest , and , 620 a year as a sinking fund to pay off the mortgage as it fell due— -though it is true that amount might be made to earn a portion of the interest on the loan . This sum of £ 2-5 per annum could be easily raised by a slight addition to the

various fees payable by the members of the Lodges or Lodge using the hall , to be carefull y set aside for the purpose , and not to be entrenched upon under any circumstances whatever . Supposing our suggestion to be adopted , and . £ 2 , 000 so lent to various Lodges , there would bo a net annual roturn of £ 250 , to be again lent to some other Lodge

requiring it ; each such loan forming the means of adding to the power of Grand Lodge to extend its influence in aiding the establishment of Masonic halls , each of which , if properly managed , would stand out to the world as a monument of the power , the unity , and the importance of the Masonic body . Each building shouldin our opinionbe

, , available not only for Masonic meetings , but for a library , reading room , and li ght refreshments for the members at moderate oost , and be open at all times , and thereby giving all the 'advantages of a literary club at the most moderate cost .

It is but a short time since that the Freemasons of South Shields opened a new Masonic hall ; and as the funds were easily obtained , we have much pleasure in laying their scheme before our readers , hoping the example of the brethren may be extensively followed , especially as they can easily limit their liability under the Joint Stock Companies Act . The

capital was obtained amongst the members of St . George ' s . Lodge by shares of one pound each , paid for at the rate of two shillings per share each month , at the meetings of the Lodge , for ion consecutive jaoathE , Si . George ' s Lodge and ¦ 'O jg le Mtfitl Atttk fZhitftzK fs $ amb f * r > " lihe me *?)! f ; fae hall ;

this , together with rent received for other parts of tho building , is to be annually divided amongst the shareholders ; whilst the surplus funds of the Lodge have been applied for the purchase of shares ; and the balance in the hands of tho Treasurer of St . George ' s Lodge at the end of each year , after paying all dues , is to be applied in buying up the shares , so

that the building will ultimately become the unincumbered property of the Lodge . The scheme is so simple , that by adopting it almost every Lodge can obtain a private Lodge room , and thereby add to its prosperity . It will be observed that the shares 'are paid for at two shillings per month —we cannot believe that any brother would refuse to pay

sixpence per week for a share in obtaining a Masonic hall—and we are sure that in every Lodge there are to be found at least one or two brethren who would be willing to take upon themselves the trouble of canvassing the members and inducing them to take shares—and we have no hesitation in saying that many would take a large number of

sharesseeino' that by the system adopted in Shields the money is merely lent to the cause of Masonry ; and if , as in that town , a hall is built from which a revenue is obtained , a fair interestwill be received by the shareholders on their investments . We commend this to the serious consideration of brethren , in the hope that we shall have to report the building of many

temples dedicated to Masonry , and tho more especially when it is understood that Grand Lodge will be willing to assist them to the extent of one third or one half the cost , and thus limit the amount they may be called upon to find in the first instance , leaving the brethren ample time and opportunity to provide tho mean ' s for any advance received from

Grand Lodge , to be returned by annual instalments . We have , in tho course of tho present year , had to record with pleasure the opening of many Masonic halls , and endeavoured to do justice to tho zeal and perseverance of those brethren through whose agency tho business details have been carried out ; and we have now great pleasure in calling

attention to what has been done in a district of which we generally hear but little , and which we take some blamo to ourselves for not having previously brought under the attention of the brethren . It appears that the Sun , Square and Compasses Lodge , No . 138 , at Whitehaven , Cumberland , at present consisting of upwards of ono

hundred Masons , have for several years experienced great inconvenience from the want of a proper Lodge room . It was a very small Lodge , and for some years the warrant was preserved by tho exertions of three or four zealous brethren , Bros . Quin , Cooke and others , who although in humble circumstances in life , managed to keep the . Lodge from erasure . Their numbers increasing considerably , owing to the exertions of Bros . Capt . Spencer , Fletcher , Dees , Jackson , Cowie , Peilo , and other equally zealous brethren , the inconvenience was

still more felt ; and after due consideration the brethren wisely came to the conclusion that to erect a building would be the only way to overcome the difficulty . Their next step was to purchase a house and premises in College-street , formerly the residence of Mr . J . Askew ; the back premises were soon cleared away , and on the adjoining yard a splendid hall was erectedwith refectory and store rooms attached . Tho

, dwelling in front of the street has been converted into offices and suitable apartments for the Tyler or housekeeper . Tho new building , which is two stories high , contains a couple of large rooms—the lower one for refreshment , and the upper , the hall , which is forty-three feet in length , twenty-two wide , and sixteen feet high . It . has a coved , ceiling with a cable

tow for a moulding ; in the centre is a sun light of seven stars , nine jets of gas to each , thewholo surmounted by a letter Q . It has three windows glazed with rough plate glass , and is supported by twenty Ionic columns , six on each side , aud . four at each end .: Near each pedestal are placed throe beautifully carved wooden columns , seven feet high , of the Doric , Jfome & axl QorinUkmu . orders , feigned by Bm . Fletcher , each . am EriaaKMag & & di # fe . b mbh -gkte ^ mi -nvMefe . axe . ^ mm-ren