The Royal Arch.

THE ROYAL ARCH .

LONDON , SATURDAY , JANUARY 31 , 1863 .

Brethren who , at their initiation ., have been informed that Freemasonry consists of three degrees . , including * the Royal Arch , have often been scandalised , to use no stronger word , at finding , after paying * the usual fees for entering tlie Order , and

working assiduously for preferment , that their advancement was only to be obtained by a tax equal to , if not superior ( including the clothing ) to that which first obtained them admission within

the porch . The result has been that a large majority of brethren , rather than submit to a "do , " have thought it better to be content with the Master Mason ' s degree incomplete , alike to their disadvantage and that of the Grand Chapter .

Our attention has been frequently called to the prohibitory fees for obtaining either Royal Arch charters , or being exalted to tlie degree , more especially by our country brethren . About two years since an attempt was made to reduce those fees , but failed , owing to the want of sufficient publicity that the question was coming on for

dis-. Prohibitory duties have always failed to produce a revenue equal to that which may be obtained from wise and moderate legislation ¦ and , therefore , acting uponthe opinions of many of his country companions , Companion Henry G . Warren has

again given notice of his intention to move , on Wednesday next , for a reduction of the fee for a new charter ( to which he holds every lodge is entitled ) from five guineas to two , and the minimum for exaltation from three guineas to one and we

now call upon the country companions , if they are sincere in their elesire to extend the knowledge of the Royal Arch throughout the brotherhood , te attend Grand Chapter , on Wednesday next , to support the motion of Companion Warren , well

knowing , as we do , that it will be opposed by many London companions , who pride themselves on having taken that from which others are debarred .

It is probable that Companion Warren will be met by the argument of loss of revenue , but here be has not left himself unfortified . He believes that in lowering fees the rebound will , like it has been in the reduction of customs or excise duties ,

more than cover any loss that may be sustained ; but , to guard himself from any clanger on that head , he proposes that each chapter shall annually

The Royal Arch.

pay a capitation fee of two shillings for every subscribing member on its books , with the view of giving * Grand Chapter the power of more efficiently supporting our Charities , and having a greater control over the subsidiary chapter's than has hitherto been the case .

Royal Benevolent Institution.

ROYAL BENEVOLENT INSTITUTION .

The length to which our Masonic intelligence this week extends prevents us doing more than here congratulating the brethren on the success which attended the Festival of Wednesday last . Bro . Havers need be not only proud of the result

which has attended his presidency , but of having * secured the most attentive audience that it has ever been our lot to witness at a Masonic Charitable Festival during our twenty-two years' experience —a due homage to genuine and truthful eloquence

proceeding from the heart . The subscriptions announced amounted to £ 2200 , with nine lists to come in , which , we presume , may be taken at one hundred pounds more , though we fairly admit that we have little confidence in those who are not punctual in their returns .

The Threatened Secession From The Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter Of Scotland.—No. Ix.

THE THREATENED SECESSION FROM THE SUPREME GRAND ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER OF SCOTLAND . —No . IX .

( From our ocothsh Correspondent . ) Except in the circle where rebel principles predominate , the promptitude with which the Supreme Chapter have acted in suspending for a time from . Royal Arch privileges the ringleaders of the revoltmeets with the most unqualified approval of the

Scottish Companionhood . No one could have blamed Grand Chapter had they made the sentence one of expulsion rather , than that of suspension ; but the ' leniency with which they have visited the very grave - offences against their authority of -which the rebels , by their own showinghave been guiltywill notwe think

, , , , be without its results for good upon those companions who have inconsiderately allowed themselves to he in some degree identified with the insurrectionary proceedings of the few turbulent individuals against whom the sentence of suspension has been recorded . Subsequent events in connection with the rebellion

prove the course of policy inaugurated in Supreme-Chapter , on the 20 th of October last , to have been one of wisdom , dignified firmness , and conciliation ; for in place of ten chapters , as was represented by the rebels to be on the eve of secession from the parent body , that number has dwindled down to four , the remaining six having adhered to their allegiance to Supreme Chapter ; and instead of the great bulk of the Royal Arch Masons in the Western Districts