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Contents.
CONTENTS .
cnnreme Grand Chapter 59 IT ORTS OF M ASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry »« Instruction ¦> Royal Arch 3 I . fADERS + fnRRESr' 0 ' ' v'eE *"— ' e No j . Kenninp's " ArchailoRical Library 04 No ' n-Qoaliiied Members at Grand Lodge 64
Confirming Minutes £ 4 A Weslevan Minister oil rreemasonry 05 Royal Arch Regulations b i The Duchess of Marlborough ' s Fund 05 The Grand Secretary < J 5 Tbe Oldest P . M « Mas ' onic Notes and Queries < j 5
United Masonic Ball «» Tile Liverpool Masonic Hall Committee ou Aniunl Meeting of the Masonic Club , Liverpool 66 The Opening of Parliament by the Queen 66 Mark Masonry M Knights Templar " 7 67
Ancient and Accepted Rite Royal and Select Masters 6 , Amusements 67 Masonic and General Tidings " 7 LorJgc Meetings for Next Week ••••:: ¦•••: b ? Advertisements i ., ii ., Hi ., iv ., v ., vi .
Supreme Grand Chapter.
SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER .
The Quarterly Convocation of Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England was holden at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday evening . Comp . W . W . B . Beach , Grand Superintendent of Hants and the Isle of Wight , occupied the chair of M . E . Z . ; Comp . thc Rev . C . J . Martyn , Grand Superintendent of Suffolk , the chair of H . ; mid Comp . Wm . A . F . Powell , Grand Superintendent of Bristol , the chair of I .
Among the other companions present were Comps . Shadwell H . Clerke , S . E . ; Burt , S . N . ; W . Piatt , as P . S . ; James Glaisher , as 1 st A . S . ; J . A . Rucker , as 2 nd A . S . ; J . Mullens , S . B . ; Joshua Nunn , H . J . P . Dumas , S . Rawson , J . M . Case , Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , Robert Grey , Rev . C . W . Arnold , Col . Creaton , Thos . Fenn , James Lewis Thomas , Joseph C . Parkinson , H . G . Buss ,
Asst . S . E . ; Henry Garrod , P . Z . 507 ; John Fenn , Z . 417 ; H . Ward , 5 S 6 , 622 , and 31 , Prov . G . H . Wilts ; R . Loveland Loveland , P . Z . 1 75 , 257 ; F . Driver , P . Z . 742 ; Charles Frcdk . Hogard , J . 142 , P . Z . 141 ; W . J . Murlis , M . E . Z . 862 ; Thos . Massa , H . 1293 ; E . Letchworth , P . Z . 1237 ; George R . Green , M . E . Z . 17 ^; H . Hacker , P . Z . 723 ; A . J . Ireton , J . 7 ? ; W . J . Parish , M . E . Z . 1604 ; George
Lambert , P . Z . 7 and 21 ; Peter Robinson , M . E . Z . 185 ; R . F . Gould , P . Z . 92 ; A . A . Pendlebury , P . Z . 1056 ; William Dodd , P . Z . 975 ; W . Smallpeice , P . Z . 21 ; W . II . Lee , M . E . Z . 1524 ; Neville Green , H . 1524 : W . Geo . Lemon , P . Z . 414 ; P . Dickinson , M . E . Z . 188 ; John Palmer , P . Z . 1348 ; H . S . Somerville Burney , P . Z . 1613 ; William Stephens , P . Z . 862 , 874 ; William Donkin , P . H .
124 ; Gerard Ford , Z . 271 ; F . Harrison , Z . 1348 ; James Hillhouse , H . 228 ; P . Mander , H . and P . Z . 185 , 1201 ; J . Brown , P . Z . 722 ; H . Sadler , G . J ., and H . 169 ; and H . Massey , P . Z . 619 ( Freemason ) . After thc formal opening of Grand Chapter the acting M . E . Z . announced that by the Book of Royal Arch Regulations , page 24 , Comp . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke took
position of Grand Scribe E . ( Cheers . ) Grand S . E . then read the minutes of last convocation , which were put and confirmed . The report of the Committee of General Purposes was , on the motion of Colonel Creaton , President , seconded by Comp . J . M . Case , taken as read , and ordered to be received and entered on the minutes .
On the motion of Colonel Creaton , seconded by Comp . Joshua Nunn , the following petitions were unanimously granted : — 1 st . From Comps . Edward Rosenbusch as Z . ; Charles Edward Coffey as H . ; Harry Gardner as J . ; and twelve others for a chapter to be attached to the Union Lodge , No . 407 , Malta , to be called the William Kingston Chapter , and to meet at the Masonic Hall , Valetta , ' Malta .
2 nd . From Comps . Edward Pitt Youell as Z . ; William Dods as H . ; Joseph Tomlinson as J . ; and eight others for a chapter to be attached to the St . Andrew ' s Lodge , No . 1631 , Gorleston , to be called the St . Andrew ' s Chapter , and to meet at St . Andrew ' s Hall , Gorleston , Suffolk .
3 rd . From Comps . James Henry Gration as Z . ; Thomas Braithwaite as H . ; John Bustard as J . ; and eight others for a chapter to be attached to the Friendly Lodge , No . 1513 , Barnsley , to be called the Friendly Chapter , and to " meet at thc King ' s Head Hotel , Barnsley , Yorkshire . 4 th . From Comps . William George Lemon as Z . ; the
Rev . William Taylor Jones as H . ; Charles VVilliam Thompson as J . ; and eleien others for a chapter to be attached to the Ravensbourne Lodge , No . 1 G 01 , Catford Brdge , to be called the Ravensbourne Chapter , and to meet at the Board of Works Office , Catford Bridge , Lewisham . 5 th . From Comps . James Terry as Z . ; John Howroyd
Sadler as H . ; John Edwin Cussans as J . ; and six others for a chapter to be attached to the Highgatc Lodge , No . 136 G , Highgate , to be called the Highgate Chapter , and to meet at the Gatehouse Tavern , Highgate , Middlesex . The next paragraph of the report of the Committee of General Purposes
stated—With reference to the petition for a chapter to be attached to the Aldershot Camp Lodge , No . 1331 , Aidershot , the consideration of which was deferred at the last Quarterl y Convocation of Grand Chapter , the Committee have to report that the Grand Superintendent for the Pro vince of Hampshire and Isle of Wight , having since
Supreme Grand Chapter.
withdrawn his recommendation to thc petition , they do not now feel themselves justified in recommending that the prayer of the petition be granted , but leave the matter in the hands of the Grand Chapter . The acting M . E . Z . stated that he was induced at the last meeting of the Grand Chapter to recommend that the question of granting this warrant be deferred . Since that
time he had had much communication on the matter with the petitioners for the chapter and the members of the chapter which already existed in that locality . At one time he feared that there would be very little chance of a satisfactory result being arrived at for his being able to recommend , in accordance with his duty , the granting of this warrant . But he had , after much consideration , seen
that the objections to the warrant had been done away with , and that it might safely be issued for this chapter on thc understanding that the Royal Arch Masons who were to belong to it were to be confined to military companions—the same understanding as that which existed in the Akcrshot Camp Lodge , which had hitherto been honourably carried out by them , and which , he had no doubt ,
would be earned out with regard to the chapter to be attached to that lodge . For himself he had only had one object in view—to promote Royal Arch Masonry in the spirit of love and harmony among the companions in that locality ; and he trusted now that no objection would exist to granting the warrant for the Aldershot Camp Chapter .
Col . Cieaton said that after what had fallen from the M . E . Z . he would now move that a warrant be granted for a chapter to be attached to the Aldershot Camp Lodge . Comp . H . Hacker said he had much pleasure in seconding that proposition . The motion was carried .
Comp . Col . Creaton said the next two paragraphs of the report explained themselves . ' 1 hey were as follows : — The Committee have also to report that a complaint was preferred by Comp . Edward Jacobs , of the Ebury Chapter , No . 1348 , London , against Comp . John Palmer , P . Z . and Treasurer of the chapter , for having on two occasions ( on the latter while presiding as the acting
M . E . Z . ) used his influence to prevent the election of Comp . Jacobs to office in thc chapter . The Committee having summoned the parties before them , and having fully investigated the case , are of opinion that the first charge is not proved , but that , on the second occasion , Comp . Palmer made a statement to the chapter , while acting as M . E . Z ., which was calculated to influence thc votes of the
companions , and in doing which he was not justified . The Committee have further to report that by a mistake in taking the date of initiation for that of raising , the Hwllffordd Chapter , No . 4 64 , Haverfordwest , exalted a brothei , after only eleven months' service as a Master Mason , contrary to article 67 , page 22 , of the Royal Arch Regulations . The Committee have therefore admonished
the chapter to be more careful in future , and have directed that the candidate be re-obligated before his Grand Chapter certificate be issued . Comp . William Smallpeice , P . Z . No . 21 , in moving "That clause five ( 5 ) , page five ( 5 ) of the Book of Regulations of the Royal Arch be repealed , in order that all companions may be present at the
opening of pnvatc chapters , " said it affected but two classes , because all the members of Grand Chapter were cither Principals or Past Principals , and the two Wardens of the year . By the rules they could not admit a companion at the opening of the chapter unless he was a Principal or Past Principal . There were very few members of Grand Chapter who had not found instruction in the opening of
a chapter . All companions were present at the closing . In opening the form was almost precisely the same , and he could not see that there would be any possible objection on the ground that a companion would gain an insight into any secret or mystery of the chairs if he were present at the opening . In conjunction with some well-known Royal Arch Masons he had endeavoured every Wednesday to
carry out the work which had been done so ably by the late Comp . John Boyd in instructing Royal Arch Masons in their duties , but they felt that their work was not fully completed because they could not instruct in thc opening of a chapter . In order that he might do so he brought forward this motion . He had not communicated with any companions on the subject , and , therefore , it came
quite fresh before Grand Chapter for the consideration of the members . Comp . H . Garrod seconded the motion . The M . E . Z . then put the motion to Grand Chapter . Comp . Thomas Fenn hoped Grand Chapter would be very careful how they supported any resolution which would even distantly have for its view and object thc alteration of
any of the Royal Arch ceremonies . He conscientiously and consistently resisted every attempt at tampering with ceremonies , either in Craft or Arch Masonry ; and , although this proposed alteration might appear very small—and it was very small , and , in fact , so trivial , that he could not conceive there could be any object in moving such a resolution , for at present companions were only kept out of
chapter about four minutes—there were reasons why ordinary members of chapters should not be present at the opening ; but if the proposer of this motion had not touched upon particular secrets in his resolution he did not see how it could have followed at all that any repeal of this particular law should effect the objects he had in view . Suppose this clause in the Regulations had never existed , still no one beneath the rank of a Past Principal could
attend Grand Chapter . It was essentially a Past Principals' chapter , precisely the same as Grand Lodge was a Master Masons' Lodge . No one but a Master Mason could enter Grand Lodge , and yet there was no law in the Book of Constitutions enacting that an Entered Apprentice should not attend . It was in the very nature of the Constitutions of Grand Lodge that he could not attend , and , therefore , there was no reason for altering it . Neither could he see there was any reason for enacting this proposed law , be-
Supreme Grand Chapter.
cause the very nature of Grand Chapter excluded any one beneath the rank of a Principal . Many companions knew that not very long ago Royal Arch Masonry was entirely a Christian Degree , and , no doubt , many clergymen in Grand Chapter conscientiously thought it ought to go back to its old position ; but if it did the universality of the Degree would be done away with . Without pressing this
point he doubted very much whether Grand Chapter had any right to alter its secrets . He looked upon the proposed alteration as the thin edge of the wedge for tampering with the secrets of Masonry . He would strongly urge upon Comp . Smallpeice to let the matter be referred to a Committee , when he would have more supporters . The Committee could go back to the year 18 35 , when there was a Committee which settled the present mode of working , and
they would see if they searched the records whether there was not some strrng reason for the present system . He did not propose this himself , but merely suggested whether it would not be better to take this course , and not precipitate Grand Chapter by a hasty resolution into what might be a very dangerous precedent . Comp . Smallpeice might propose that Gra . nd Chapter appoint a Committee of companions , such as Comps . Robt . Grey and Letchworth , who were perfectly competent to examine and report upon all such matters .
Comp . Joshua Nunn thought if the law were repealed it would have no effect in private chapters . No one could attend Grand Chapter unless he was an associate member or a Past Principal . Companions in private chapters were not associates , they were not appointed by the Grand Principal himself , as they were in Grand Chapter . An alteration should not be made unless enquired into and reported
on by a Committee . The Rev . C . W . Arnold disagreed with Comp . Nunn . Private chapters acted entirely upon the precedent set by Grand Chapter . Associate members were very few . If this particular clause were repealed they would be able to be present , and would represent the general members in an ordinary chapter . It would be much to the interest of
Freemasonry generally if it were allowable for all companions to be present at the opening ceremony of the chapter ; it would lead to a great deal more order and regularity in thc attendance , for he knew a great many did not attend chapter at all because they could not be present at the opening . His own experience taught him that in private chapters the opening was slurred over on many
occasions . If more companions wereallowed to be present there would be a change for thc better in this respect . Comp . James Lewis Thomas , Past Sword Bearer , differed from Comp . Arnold with respect to the manner in which the opening ceremony in private chapters was performed . His experience was , that it was very well done . Comp . Thomas then drew attention to thc particular form
of opening , ami said that under those circumstances it would be very injudicious indeed to admit all the companions to the opening . He thought the great majority of the companions felt that when they had seen the opening there was a more important ceremony going on than they themselves were ready and qualified to be admitted to , and they were most ambitious and anxious
to proceed to those chairs , which gave great enlightenment into the mysteries of the Order . Comp . Thomas concluded by supporting the proposal for a Committee . Comp . Joseph C . Parkinson had come to Grand Chapter with his mind perfectly free on this matter , but from what he had heard his instincts were rather with Comp . Smallpeice . From conviction and thought he was disposed to
believe that most things in the world were capable of improvement , but he confessed that the ideal which he set before himself had not yet been completely fulfilled . He did not quite see thc practical object to be gained by the carrying of this motion , but if he could see his way to it he would like to do so . If there were any considerable hardship or even small hardships experienced by
companions not being admitted to the opening he should at once hold up his hand for the motion ; but he had never experienced it himself , and he did not think the companions of various chapters to which he belonged had experienced it . He would like the matter to be further considered before voting one way or the other . Comp . thc Rev . A . F . A . Woodford observed that there
was , he ventured to think , one point in the . discussion which had been somewhat overlooked-the very great change which was proposed to be made in the customs and ritual of Royal Arch Masonry . ( Hear , hear . ) From the days that the Grand Chapter was formed in London , under H . R . H . the Duke of Cumberland , which was not , however , officially acknowledged by Grand Lodge until 1813 ,
and from the time that Dunckerley worked Royal Arch Masonry in the Province of Hampshire , there had never been a change in the ancient system of opening a chapter . He , therefore , objected very strongly to so great an innovation in Royal Arch Masonry , as Comp . Parkinson had . so well said , without much grave consideration , and so forcibly did he feel the unadvisability of any change at all ,
that he could not even support the proposal to refer the matter to the Permanent Committee . He felt sure that this change would not be approved of by a large number of provincial Principals , excellent and earnest Royal Arch Masons , up and down the country . He , thc refore , hoped that Grand Chapter would distinctly reject the proposition . ( Hear , hear . ) If Comp . Smallpeice wished again to raise
the question he could at a subsequent meeting move to refer it to the Permanent Committee . The amendment , " That this question be referred to the Committee of Grand Chapter , " was then put and carried by twenty-two votes against twenty-one .
Comp . Joshua Nunn moved , and Comp . S . Rawson seconded , "That the motion be dismissed , " which was carried by twenty-seven votes against fifteen . The acting M . E . Z . said the Grand Chapter was very much indebted to Comp . Smallpeice for calling attention to tbe subject .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Contents.
CONTENTS .
cnnreme Grand Chapter 59 IT ORTS OF M ASONIC MEETINGSCraft Masonry »« Instruction ¦> Royal Arch 3 I . fADERS + fnRRESr' 0 ' ' v'eE *"— ' e No j . Kenninp's " ArchailoRical Library 04 No ' n-Qoaliiied Members at Grand Lodge 64
Confirming Minutes £ 4 A Weslevan Minister oil rreemasonry 05 Royal Arch Regulations b i The Duchess of Marlborough ' s Fund 05 The Grand Secretary < J 5 Tbe Oldest P . M « Mas ' onic Notes and Queries < j 5
United Masonic Ball «» Tile Liverpool Masonic Hall Committee ou Aniunl Meeting of the Masonic Club , Liverpool 66 The Opening of Parliament by the Queen 66 Mark Masonry M Knights Templar " 7 67
Ancient and Accepted Rite Royal and Select Masters 6 , Amusements 67 Masonic and General Tidings " 7 LorJgc Meetings for Next Week ••••:: ¦•••: b ? Advertisements i ., ii ., Hi ., iv ., v ., vi .
Supreme Grand Chapter.
SUPREME GRAND CHAPTER .
The Quarterly Convocation of Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of England was holden at Freemasons' Hall , on Wednesday evening . Comp . W . W . B . Beach , Grand Superintendent of Hants and the Isle of Wight , occupied the chair of M . E . Z . ; Comp . thc Rev . C . J . Martyn , Grand Superintendent of Suffolk , the chair of H . ; mid Comp . Wm . A . F . Powell , Grand Superintendent of Bristol , the chair of I .
Among the other companions present were Comps . Shadwell H . Clerke , S . E . ; Burt , S . N . ; W . Piatt , as P . S . ; James Glaisher , as 1 st A . S . ; J . A . Rucker , as 2 nd A . S . ; J . Mullens , S . B . ; Joshua Nunn , H . J . P . Dumas , S . Rawson , J . M . Case , Rev . A . F . A . Woodford , Robert Grey , Rev . C . W . Arnold , Col . Creaton , Thos . Fenn , James Lewis Thomas , Joseph C . Parkinson , H . G . Buss ,
Asst . S . E . ; Henry Garrod , P . Z . 507 ; John Fenn , Z . 417 ; H . Ward , 5 S 6 , 622 , and 31 , Prov . G . H . Wilts ; R . Loveland Loveland , P . Z . 1 75 , 257 ; F . Driver , P . Z . 742 ; Charles Frcdk . Hogard , J . 142 , P . Z . 141 ; W . J . Murlis , M . E . Z . 862 ; Thos . Massa , H . 1293 ; E . Letchworth , P . Z . 1237 ; George R . Green , M . E . Z . 17 ^; H . Hacker , P . Z . 723 ; A . J . Ireton , J . 7 ? ; W . J . Parish , M . E . Z . 1604 ; George
Lambert , P . Z . 7 and 21 ; Peter Robinson , M . E . Z . 185 ; R . F . Gould , P . Z . 92 ; A . A . Pendlebury , P . Z . 1056 ; William Dodd , P . Z . 975 ; W . Smallpeice , P . Z . 21 ; W . II . Lee , M . E . Z . 1524 ; Neville Green , H . 1524 : W . Geo . Lemon , P . Z . 414 ; P . Dickinson , M . E . Z . 188 ; John Palmer , P . Z . 1348 ; H . S . Somerville Burney , P . Z . 1613 ; William Stephens , P . Z . 862 , 874 ; William Donkin , P . H .
124 ; Gerard Ford , Z . 271 ; F . Harrison , Z . 1348 ; James Hillhouse , H . 228 ; P . Mander , H . and P . Z . 185 , 1201 ; J . Brown , P . Z . 722 ; H . Sadler , G . J ., and H . 169 ; and H . Massey , P . Z . 619 ( Freemason ) . After thc formal opening of Grand Chapter the acting M . E . Z . announced that by the Book of Royal Arch Regulations , page 24 , Comp . Col . Shadwell H . Clerke took
position of Grand Scribe E . ( Cheers . ) Grand S . E . then read the minutes of last convocation , which were put and confirmed . The report of the Committee of General Purposes was , on the motion of Colonel Creaton , President , seconded by Comp . J . M . Case , taken as read , and ordered to be received and entered on the minutes .
On the motion of Colonel Creaton , seconded by Comp . Joshua Nunn , the following petitions were unanimously granted : — 1 st . From Comps . Edward Rosenbusch as Z . ; Charles Edward Coffey as H . ; Harry Gardner as J . ; and twelve others for a chapter to be attached to the Union Lodge , No . 407 , Malta , to be called the William Kingston Chapter , and to meet at the Masonic Hall , Valetta , ' Malta .
2 nd . From Comps . Edward Pitt Youell as Z . ; William Dods as H . ; Joseph Tomlinson as J . ; and eight others for a chapter to be attached to the St . Andrew ' s Lodge , No . 1631 , Gorleston , to be called the St . Andrew ' s Chapter , and to meet at St . Andrew ' s Hall , Gorleston , Suffolk .
3 rd . From Comps . James Henry Gration as Z . ; Thomas Braithwaite as H . ; John Bustard as J . ; and eight others for a chapter to be attached to the Friendly Lodge , No . 1513 , Barnsley , to be called the Friendly Chapter , and to " meet at thc King ' s Head Hotel , Barnsley , Yorkshire . 4 th . From Comps . William George Lemon as Z . ; the
Rev . William Taylor Jones as H . ; Charles VVilliam Thompson as J . ; and eleien others for a chapter to be attached to the Ravensbourne Lodge , No . 1 G 01 , Catford Brdge , to be called the Ravensbourne Chapter , and to meet at the Board of Works Office , Catford Bridge , Lewisham . 5 th . From Comps . James Terry as Z . ; John Howroyd
Sadler as H . ; John Edwin Cussans as J . ; and six others for a chapter to be attached to the Highgatc Lodge , No . 136 G , Highgate , to be called the Highgate Chapter , and to meet at the Gatehouse Tavern , Highgate , Middlesex . The next paragraph of the report of the Committee of General Purposes
stated—With reference to the petition for a chapter to be attached to the Aldershot Camp Lodge , No . 1331 , Aidershot , the consideration of which was deferred at the last Quarterl y Convocation of Grand Chapter , the Committee have to report that the Grand Superintendent for the Pro vince of Hampshire and Isle of Wight , having since
Supreme Grand Chapter.
withdrawn his recommendation to thc petition , they do not now feel themselves justified in recommending that the prayer of the petition be granted , but leave the matter in the hands of the Grand Chapter . The acting M . E . Z . stated that he was induced at the last meeting of the Grand Chapter to recommend that the question of granting this warrant be deferred . Since that
time he had had much communication on the matter with the petitioners for the chapter and the members of the chapter which already existed in that locality . At one time he feared that there would be very little chance of a satisfactory result being arrived at for his being able to recommend , in accordance with his duty , the granting of this warrant . But he had , after much consideration , seen
that the objections to the warrant had been done away with , and that it might safely be issued for this chapter on thc understanding that the Royal Arch Masons who were to belong to it were to be confined to military companions—the same understanding as that which existed in the Akcrshot Camp Lodge , which had hitherto been honourably carried out by them , and which , he had no doubt ,
would be earned out with regard to the chapter to be attached to that lodge . For himself he had only had one object in view—to promote Royal Arch Masonry in the spirit of love and harmony among the companions in that locality ; and he trusted now that no objection would exist to granting the warrant for the Aldershot Camp Chapter .
Col . Cieaton said that after what had fallen from the M . E . Z . he would now move that a warrant be granted for a chapter to be attached to the Aldershot Camp Lodge . Comp . H . Hacker said he had much pleasure in seconding that proposition . The motion was carried .
Comp . Col . Creaton said the next two paragraphs of the report explained themselves . ' 1 hey were as follows : — The Committee have also to report that a complaint was preferred by Comp . Edward Jacobs , of the Ebury Chapter , No . 1348 , London , against Comp . John Palmer , P . Z . and Treasurer of the chapter , for having on two occasions ( on the latter while presiding as the acting
M . E . Z . ) used his influence to prevent the election of Comp . Jacobs to office in thc chapter . The Committee having summoned the parties before them , and having fully investigated the case , are of opinion that the first charge is not proved , but that , on the second occasion , Comp . Palmer made a statement to the chapter , while acting as M . E . Z ., which was calculated to influence thc votes of the
companions , and in doing which he was not justified . The Committee have further to report that by a mistake in taking the date of initiation for that of raising , the Hwllffordd Chapter , No . 4 64 , Haverfordwest , exalted a brothei , after only eleven months' service as a Master Mason , contrary to article 67 , page 22 , of the Royal Arch Regulations . The Committee have therefore admonished
the chapter to be more careful in future , and have directed that the candidate be re-obligated before his Grand Chapter certificate be issued . Comp . William Smallpeice , P . Z . No . 21 , in moving "That clause five ( 5 ) , page five ( 5 ) of the Book of Regulations of the Royal Arch be repealed , in order that all companions may be present at the
opening of pnvatc chapters , " said it affected but two classes , because all the members of Grand Chapter were cither Principals or Past Principals , and the two Wardens of the year . By the rules they could not admit a companion at the opening of the chapter unless he was a Principal or Past Principal . There were very few members of Grand Chapter who had not found instruction in the opening of
a chapter . All companions were present at the closing . In opening the form was almost precisely the same , and he could not see that there would be any possible objection on the ground that a companion would gain an insight into any secret or mystery of the chairs if he were present at the opening . In conjunction with some well-known Royal Arch Masons he had endeavoured every Wednesday to
carry out the work which had been done so ably by the late Comp . John Boyd in instructing Royal Arch Masons in their duties , but they felt that their work was not fully completed because they could not instruct in thc opening of a chapter . In order that he might do so he brought forward this motion . He had not communicated with any companions on the subject , and , therefore , it came
quite fresh before Grand Chapter for the consideration of the members . Comp . H . Garrod seconded the motion . The M . E . Z . then put the motion to Grand Chapter . Comp . Thomas Fenn hoped Grand Chapter would be very careful how they supported any resolution which would even distantly have for its view and object thc alteration of
any of the Royal Arch ceremonies . He conscientiously and consistently resisted every attempt at tampering with ceremonies , either in Craft or Arch Masonry ; and , although this proposed alteration might appear very small—and it was very small , and , in fact , so trivial , that he could not conceive there could be any object in moving such a resolution , for at present companions were only kept out of
chapter about four minutes—there were reasons why ordinary members of chapters should not be present at the opening ; but if the proposer of this motion had not touched upon particular secrets in his resolution he did not see how it could have followed at all that any repeal of this particular law should effect the objects he had in view . Suppose this clause in the Regulations had never existed , still no one beneath the rank of a Past Principal could
attend Grand Chapter . It was essentially a Past Principals' chapter , precisely the same as Grand Lodge was a Master Masons' Lodge . No one but a Master Mason could enter Grand Lodge , and yet there was no law in the Book of Constitutions enacting that an Entered Apprentice should not attend . It was in the very nature of the Constitutions of Grand Lodge that he could not attend , and , therefore , there was no reason for altering it . Neither could he see there was any reason for enacting this proposed law , be-
Supreme Grand Chapter.
cause the very nature of Grand Chapter excluded any one beneath the rank of a Principal . Many companions knew that not very long ago Royal Arch Masonry was entirely a Christian Degree , and , no doubt , many clergymen in Grand Chapter conscientiously thought it ought to go back to its old position ; but if it did the universality of the Degree would be done away with . Without pressing this
point he doubted very much whether Grand Chapter had any right to alter its secrets . He looked upon the proposed alteration as the thin edge of the wedge for tampering with the secrets of Masonry . He would strongly urge upon Comp . Smallpeice to let the matter be referred to a Committee , when he would have more supporters . The Committee could go back to the year 18 35 , when there was a Committee which settled the present mode of working , and
they would see if they searched the records whether there was not some strrng reason for the present system . He did not propose this himself , but merely suggested whether it would not be better to take this course , and not precipitate Grand Chapter by a hasty resolution into what might be a very dangerous precedent . Comp . Smallpeice might propose that Gra . nd Chapter appoint a Committee of companions , such as Comps . Robt . Grey and Letchworth , who were perfectly competent to examine and report upon all such matters .
Comp . Joshua Nunn thought if the law were repealed it would have no effect in private chapters . No one could attend Grand Chapter unless he was an associate member or a Past Principal . Companions in private chapters were not associates , they were not appointed by the Grand Principal himself , as they were in Grand Chapter . An alteration should not be made unless enquired into and reported
on by a Committee . The Rev . C . W . Arnold disagreed with Comp . Nunn . Private chapters acted entirely upon the precedent set by Grand Chapter . Associate members were very few . If this particular clause were repealed they would be able to be present , and would represent the general members in an ordinary chapter . It would be much to the interest of
Freemasonry generally if it were allowable for all companions to be present at the opening ceremony of the chapter ; it would lead to a great deal more order and regularity in thc attendance , for he knew a great many did not attend chapter at all because they could not be present at the opening . His own experience taught him that in private chapters the opening was slurred over on many
occasions . If more companions wereallowed to be present there would be a change for thc better in this respect . Comp . James Lewis Thomas , Past Sword Bearer , differed from Comp . Arnold with respect to the manner in which the opening ceremony in private chapters was performed . His experience was , that it was very well done . Comp . Thomas then drew attention to thc particular form
of opening , ami said that under those circumstances it would be very injudicious indeed to admit all the companions to the opening . He thought the great majority of the companions felt that when they had seen the opening there was a more important ceremony going on than they themselves were ready and qualified to be admitted to , and they were most ambitious and anxious
to proceed to those chairs , which gave great enlightenment into the mysteries of the Order . Comp . Thomas concluded by supporting the proposal for a Committee . Comp . Joseph C . Parkinson had come to Grand Chapter with his mind perfectly free on this matter , but from what he had heard his instincts were rather with Comp . Smallpeice . From conviction and thought he was disposed to
believe that most things in the world were capable of improvement , but he confessed that the ideal which he set before himself had not yet been completely fulfilled . He did not quite see thc practical object to be gained by the carrying of this motion , but if he could see his way to it he would like to do so . If there were any considerable hardship or even small hardships experienced by
companions not being admitted to the opening he should at once hold up his hand for the motion ; but he had never experienced it himself , and he did not think the companions of various chapters to which he belonged had experienced it . He would like the matter to be further considered before voting one way or the other . Comp . thc Rev . A . F . A . Woodford observed that there
was , he ventured to think , one point in the . discussion which had been somewhat overlooked-the very great change which was proposed to be made in the customs and ritual of Royal Arch Masonry . ( Hear , hear . ) From the days that the Grand Chapter was formed in London , under H . R . H . the Duke of Cumberland , which was not , however , officially acknowledged by Grand Lodge until 1813 ,
and from the time that Dunckerley worked Royal Arch Masonry in the Province of Hampshire , there had never been a change in the ancient system of opening a chapter . He , therefore , objected very strongly to so great an innovation in Royal Arch Masonry , as Comp . Parkinson had . so well said , without much grave consideration , and so forcibly did he feel the unadvisability of any change at all ,
that he could not even support the proposal to refer the matter to the Permanent Committee . He felt sure that this change would not be approved of by a large number of provincial Principals , excellent and earnest Royal Arch Masons , up and down the country . He , thc refore , hoped that Grand Chapter would distinctly reject the proposition . ( Hear , hear . ) If Comp . Smallpeice wished again to raise
the question he could at a subsequent meeting move to refer it to the Permanent Committee . The amendment , " That this question be referred to the Committee of Grand Chapter , " was then put and carried by twenty-two votes against twenty-one .
Comp . Joshua Nunn moved , and Comp . S . Rawson seconded , "That the motion be dismissed , " which was carried by twenty-seven votes against fifteen . The acting M . E . Z . said the Grand Chapter was very much indebted to Comp . Smallpeice for calling attention to tbe subject .