Secession From The Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter Of Scotland.

SECESSION FROM THE SUPREME GRAND ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER OF SCOTLAND .

LONDON , SATURDAY , FEBRUARY 28 , 1863 .

( From our Scottish Correspondent . ) "What we have hitherto written of as being a threatened secession from the Supreme Chapter , has now been consummated by the erection , in Glasgow , of what its promoters are pleased to designate the " General Grand Eoyal Arch Chapter for Scotland

and the Colonies ; " and , in order to strengthen their position , widen their sphere of influence , and obtain a show of recognition by some independent body , the schismatics have , we understand , through their " emissaries" in Ayr , opened negotiations with the

heads ofthe only other unrecognised Masonic body in Scotland , viz ., the Early Grand Encampment , an association consisting of some four or five encampments practising Royal Arch , Knight Templary , and about a score of side degrees , in Ayrshire , and among

the mining population of Wishaw in Lanarkshire . The Early Grand will , we think , best consult their own interest by remaining aloof from the proposed amalgamation with tlie " General Grand . " If the many advantages arising from recognition as regular

Eoyal Arch Masons , fail to induce the Early Grand to surrender their independence , and come into the bosom of the Supreme Grand Eoyal Arch Chapter of Scotland , is it to be supposed that they will permit

themselves to be cajoled into union with a body who can oifer no such advantages , and whose claims for recognition as independent Eoyal Arch Masons cannot for a moment be compared with those which could be advanced in favour of the Early Grand , and who , a few months ago , would have spurned the very

thought of being found under the same roof with those whose countenance they now so humbly court , and for whose prosperity they profess to entertain such an unfeigned regard . The men who can so unscrupulously ignore their solemn obligations to

their head in Eoyal Arch Masonry , rather than be curbed in then- tyrannical and persecuting policy towards those who did not choose to be cyphers , merel y that a few Masonic quacks should monopolise the chief seats of Masonic honour and power in the

west of Scotland , are not likely to be less scrupulous in their dealings with the Early Grand whenever its interest could be supposed to militate against Glasgow supremacy . The rank and file of the Earl y Grand inow this , and have their eyes upon those of their

number , who are being tampered with by the agents ofthe schismatics , and who must of necessity consult their constituents before in any way attempting to compromise their position as members of an institution Pnding themselves upon never having broken any

Secession From The Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter Of Scotland.

obligation come under to the parent body , but whose independence , according to their own showing , was constitutionally won , and acknowledged by the Early-Grand Encampment of Ireland before its incorporation with the Grand Conclave of High Knight Templars of that country .

"While the renegades are busy with the multifarious cares attendant upon their new position , Supreme Grand Chapter , without at all recognising them in their capacity of assumed independence , now call upon the ringleaders of the revolt and their supporters to

show cause why they should not be expelled the Order , and within a few days will have passed upon the rebels from their authority the highest punishment possible , for any Masonic Grand Body to inflict . The Supreme Grand Chapter continue to receive

assurances of the most cordial support from the remnant members of the few chapters which , by a plurality of votes , have joined the rebel standard . Meetings are being held for the purpose of taking up the relinquished charters , and there is every prospect of peace and

concord very speedilybeingrestored tothe Order , which has of late been so much disturbed , because of its governing parent ' s protection of one of the subordinate chapters , against the unparalleled oppression of a few headstrong and injudicious officials connected with the formerly existing Provincial Grand Chapter of the "Western province .

Classical Theology.—Lxii.

CLASSICAL THEOLOGY . —LXII .

XI . —Jus-o AUD JANUAET . In referring to the ignorance of mankind at the period of which we have been writing , it does not follow that letters were unknown , but rather that , in consequence of the confounding of language , written or engraven words were fewand by a few only

com-, prehended . The Alexandrian library , said to have been destroyed by command of the Caliph Omar , A . D . 640 , may have contained works and records of dates far more distant in the universe of letters than any now considered apochryphal on European authority . Indeedduring the long interval 6-9111

, the confusion at Babel to the time of Moses we may reasonably conclude there had been a written language appertaining to the Hebrew ; and we may venture to believe that Melchizedek , King of Salem , the priest of the most high God , about B . C . 1970 , had his priestly scribes and inscribed tables of

ordinances conformable with some roll of secret instruction . There is so great a similarity in the formation of the letters of many different alphabets as to be indicative of one source , and these diversities of syllables and sounds a living witness to the truth of the dispersion of tongues .

Nevertheless , if we strive to acquire information beyond the limits assigned to the commencement of written history we at once pass into the regions of fable a . nd conjecture ; and yet , nevertheless , they may rest upon more solid foundation than fancy . The