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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Royal Arch.
is my object to-day ; to proclaim that , however beautiful , bowever ornamental , nay , however useful other degrees may be as incentives to imagination and spurs to zeal , the Royal Arch degree knows and can know no peer . No code of reli gion , morality or philosophy has ever existed since the world began which , has escaped being overlaid by superstition or legendary myths , and thus the purity and simplicity which should belong , as a part of its very essence , to every sacred and moral
system , has been encrusted by error , corrupted , or diluted . Nor is Freemasonry an exception to tbe general rule . And how much has not Freemasonry lost by the changes which have been efi ' ecled in its constitution by this universal foible of mankind ! Established in the wilderness of darkness , violence , and tempest , into which our world—so serene and beautiful when God said , 'Lot there be light , and there was lig ht 'had been converted by tbe evil passions of a fallen
raceAla-, sonry resembled a simple , graceful , yet majestic pillar . No useless or florid ornament concealed or disfigured its chaste and elegant proportions ; its foundations were laid solidly and deeply in tho earth , and from its summit shone forth the pure beacon light of divine love and human charity to guide the needy and afflicted , the weak and oppressed , to the oasis it had created in the desert as their most sure and friendly refuge . On its every stone were written in golden characters the motto and mission
of our noble Order . It told us that brotherly love , relief , and truth were to be the guiding stars of our course through lit ' ej ; that man was meant to be the helpmate of his fellow-men , sorrowing in his sorrows , joying in his joys , and entitled , in his own time of adversity , to look to his fellows for comfort and support , and that all men , whatever the difference of their creed , language , race , colour , or station , should treat each other as members of one great and united family . The true Mason was
taught to promote the good of others as well as of himself , by exerting the mental and corporeal faculties with which his Maker has endowed him to His glory , and to the welfare of His fellow-creatures . Thus , when the last scene of sublunary existence gradually fades from his wearied eyes , he will be prepared by love and charity , by study and intellectual culture , by obedience to the divine law , and by implicit and unbounded faith in bis great Creator , to open them in those immortal
mansions prepared for the faithful and obedient of the human race , on an eternal day whose sun shall know no settinc . Therefore it is , I contend , that the Royal Arch degree should stand b y itself , a pillar of daily admonition and instruction , and of eternal li ght , a beacon guiding us through life aud through death , and only leaving us when , having passed through the gloomy portals which divide life from death , we enter those happy realms where the true secrets of Alasonry
shall be disclosed , never again to be concealed . But were there ten thousand other degrees , except so fur as they are connected with or supported by the Royal Arch degree , they ivould be weakened us moral teachers and divested of their most solemn aud enduring character . They would be like the fruit described in eastern tales , which is beautiful to the eye but hard to the touch , and bitter and unwholesome to the palate . AA ' ere there in this world no duties to be pcr ' ormedno self-denial to be
, practised for the jiresent , and no hopes or aspirations to be indulged for the tbe future , the cry of the heathen sensualist , ' Let us eat , drink , and be merry , for to-moirow we die , ' would be the best philosophy and the easiest rule of life . But it is not so . Nature has implanted in the breasts of all a consciousness that they are made for better things , a conviction that this life is but a pilgrimage , brief and transient , leading to another state of existence which will be abiding and eternal . Aud it is
this conviction which continually whispers to tbe just and upright brother that Alasonry , beautiful as a moral and intellectual teacher , is incomplete unless unfolding by sure , but gradual , steps , a knowledge ot the great Jehovah , the mysterious Alpha and Omega , by whom those moral perceptions aud intellectual attributes have been implanted in the human heart . Bear with me , therefore , companions , while I again urge upon you that by the consecration of this chapter to-day , you solemnly
and deliberately adopt its teaching , which brings you face to ( ace with thoughts of the great Author of the Universe , who Himself has neither beginning nor ending , and with that grand and awful hereafter where we hope to enjoy endless bliss and everlasting life . But even iu this degree , Companions , sublime as it is , remember that you are not permitted to forget the connection which exists between our whole system , and the relative dependence of all its degrees , but that you are enjoined to devote yourselves to such constant exercise of charity , and
Royal Arch.
labour of mind and body , as may best preserve the foundations of the columns secure and its shaft bright and pure , as fitting to support , nay , as alone able to support , so noble a superstructure . Remember that ar rand this sacred altar you have solemnly vowed to befriend , cordially and effectually , every brother who shall need your assistance , and to defend a brother's character whenever unjustly assailed , so that the world may see how dearly Alasons love one another . But the teaching of this
degree would bo imperfect if it did not extend its noble sentiments further . It instils into your minds that every human being has has an undoubted right to your kind offices , and that every good work should find in you earnest labourers , so that no day should pass over your heads unmarked by the recoid of a beneficient action planned or executed for the benefit of others . It enjoins you that by diligence and fidelity in the duties of your respective stations , by liberal and diffusive charity , by constancy in your
friendships , and by virtuous deportment , you should shew what happy andbeneficiont effects flow from our ancient andhononrable institution . If then , companions , you have attentively followed the teaching of the four degrees of which tbe Royal Arch is the climax , you will have learned that there is no service on earth you cau render which will be more acceptable to your beneficent Creator than that of aiding in their need , cheering in their sorrowand comforting in their affliction , your fellow-creatures .
, All the unity in variety which , like a golden chain , runs through and unites these several degrees , speaks openmouthed of Him who has harmonised , by unity of the most simple laws , the wonderful and infinite variety which shows itself everywhere in this beautiful world which He has given us as our dwelling-place . It bids us , iu gratitude for favours already received and for His gracious promises for tbe future , use our utmost exertions to assist in erecting that glorious temple , that spiritual temple
which is to supersede the material temple on Alount Moriah , that perfect temple ivhich ( though , alas ! too slowly and imperfectly ) is gradually rising up throughout the civilised world , to be , byand-by , filled with the honour and glory of the great Jehovah , who is the eternal Ruler of the universe , the elemental life , the primordial source of all its principles , tbe very spring and fountain of all its virtues and of all its blessings . Companion ? , I ask you to exclaim with me—¦
" Happy the bonds that nold ye ! Since they be sweeter far than liberty , There is no happiness but in such bondage . Happy that happy chain ! such links are heavenly . " Let the battle cry of your Alasonic life be still Excelsior ! Excelsior . Excelsior ! PLYMOUTH . — Chapter Concord ( No . 225 ) . —This chapter was
held at 1 . 13 , Union-street , Plymouth , on tbe 18 th inst . The companions assembled for the purpose of installing the principal officers for the ensuing year : —Comps . T . Polsara , Z . ; J . Al . Hilley , H . ; J . Alontgomcry , J . ; W . Buwriug , S . ; J . T . Smith , S . E .-S . li . Arniiss , P . S . ; ' and AY . Radmore .
ExJiorrri . —St <; i Chapter ( No . 106 ) . — Ihe regular convocation of this chapter was held on Alonday , the 7 th inst ., at the Royal Beacon Hotel , the following being some of tbe companions present : —Comps . B . T . Hodge , P . Z ., acting as Al . E . Z . ; G'anfiehf , H . ; Alaynard , J . ; Shrinipton , E . ; Bastin , N . ; AIcKeuxic , IViii . S » j . ; Bishop , Assist . Soj . ; with Adams , P . Z . ; Freeman , Spittigue , Sherrington , Pridliam , Starke , Alurch ' Gundry , and Bristow . ATsilors : —Comps . Dr . Hopkins , P . Z . ; .
Bodley , Fortescue , of tho Umballa Chapter ; Storn , of Taunton , and others . The chapter having been opened aud the minutes read and confirmed , a ballot was t d _ en for Bro . David AA atson , St . John's Lodge , Torquay ( No . 328 ) , which was unanimous in bis favour . He was then admitted in due form , and exalted to tho supremo degree of R . A . M . The working was most efficiently rendered by all the officers , the lectures being given by the respective Principals . The Al . E . Z . ivas unavoidabl y prevented
being present by illness . A motion was then introduced by the Al . E . Z . acting , that in acknowledgment of the very valuable services formerly given to the chapter by Comp . AV . Opie , of Exeter , some testimonial should be presented to him , and after some discussion as to the form it should take , it was decided that it should be a suitable piece of p late which a committee , then appointed , was authorised to select . At the conclusion of the chapter business , the companions as usual adjourned to the banquet , which was served by Comp . Bastin in the style for which he is so noted .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Royal Arch.
is my object to-day ; to proclaim that , however beautiful , bowever ornamental , nay , however useful other degrees may be as incentives to imagination and spurs to zeal , the Royal Arch degree knows and can know no peer . No code of reli gion , morality or philosophy has ever existed since the world began which , has escaped being overlaid by superstition or legendary myths , and thus the purity and simplicity which should belong , as a part of its very essence , to every sacred and moral
system , has been encrusted by error , corrupted , or diluted . Nor is Freemasonry an exception to tbe general rule . And how much has not Freemasonry lost by the changes which have been efi ' ecled in its constitution by this universal foible of mankind ! Established in the wilderness of darkness , violence , and tempest , into which our world—so serene and beautiful when God said , 'Lot there be light , and there was lig ht 'had been converted by tbe evil passions of a fallen
raceAla-, sonry resembled a simple , graceful , yet majestic pillar . No useless or florid ornament concealed or disfigured its chaste and elegant proportions ; its foundations were laid solidly and deeply in tho earth , and from its summit shone forth the pure beacon light of divine love and human charity to guide the needy and afflicted , the weak and oppressed , to the oasis it had created in the desert as their most sure and friendly refuge . On its every stone were written in golden characters the motto and mission
of our noble Order . It told us that brotherly love , relief , and truth were to be the guiding stars of our course through lit ' ej ; that man was meant to be the helpmate of his fellow-men , sorrowing in his sorrows , joying in his joys , and entitled , in his own time of adversity , to look to his fellows for comfort and support , and that all men , whatever the difference of their creed , language , race , colour , or station , should treat each other as members of one great and united family . The true Mason was
taught to promote the good of others as well as of himself , by exerting the mental and corporeal faculties with which his Maker has endowed him to His glory , and to the welfare of His fellow-creatures . Thus , when the last scene of sublunary existence gradually fades from his wearied eyes , he will be prepared by love and charity , by study and intellectual culture , by obedience to the divine law , and by implicit and unbounded faith in bis great Creator , to open them in those immortal
mansions prepared for the faithful and obedient of the human race , on an eternal day whose sun shall know no settinc . Therefore it is , I contend , that the Royal Arch degree should stand b y itself , a pillar of daily admonition and instruction , and of eternal li ght , a beacon guiding us through life aud through death , and only leaving us when , having passed through the gloomy portals which divide life from death , we enter those happy realms where the true secrets of Alasonry
shall be disclosed , never again to be concealed . But were there ten thousand other degrees , except so fur as they are connected with or supported by the Royal Arch degree , they ivould be weakened us moral teachers and divested of their most solemn aud enduring character . They would be like the fruit described in eastern tales , which is beautiful to the eye but hard to the touch , and bitter and unwholesome to the palate . AA ' ere there in this world no duties to be pcr ' ormedno self-denial to be
, practised for the jiresent , and no hopes or aspirations to be indulged for the tbe future , the cry of the heathen sensualist , ' Let us eat , drink , and be merry , for to-moirow we die , ' would be the best philosophy and the easiest rule of life . But it is not so . Nature has implanted in the breasts of all a consciousness that they are made for better things , a conviction that this life is but a pilgrimage , brief and transient , leading to another state of existence which will be abiding and eternal . Aud it is
this conviction which continually whispers to tbe just and upright brother that Alasonry , beautiful as a moral and intellectual teacher , is incomplete unless unfolding by sure , but gradual , steps , a knowledge ot the great Jehovah , the mysterious Alpha and Omega , by whom those moral perceptions aud intellectual attributes have been implanted in the human heart . Bear with me , therefore , companions , while I again urge upon you that by the consecration of this chapter to-day , you solemnly
and deliberately adopt its teaching , which brings you face to ( ace with thoughts of the great Author of the Universe , who Himself has neither beginning nor ending , and with that grand and awful hereafter where we hope to enjoy endless bliss and everlasting life . But even iu this degree , Companions , sublime as it is , remember that you are not permitted to forget the connection which exists between our whole system , and the relative dependence of all its degrees , but that you are enjoined to devote yourselves to such constant exercise of charity , and
Royal Arch.
labour of mind and body , as may best preserve the foundations of the columns secure and its shaft bright and pure , as fitting to support , nay , as alone able to support , so noble a superstructure . Remember that ar rand this sacred altar you have solemnly vowed to befriend , cordially and effectually , every brother who shall need your assistance , and to defend a brother's character whenever unjustly assailed , so that the world may see how dearly Alasons love one another . But the teaching of this
degree would bo imperfect if it did not extend its noble sentiments further . It instils into your minds that every human being has has an undoubted right to your kind offices , and that every good work should find in you earnest labourers , so that no day should pass over your heads unmarked by the recoid of a beneficient action planned or executed for the benefit of others . It enjoins you that by diligence and fidelity in the duties of your respective stations , by liberal and diffusive charity , by constancy in your
friendships , and by virtuous deportment , you should shew what happy andbeneficiont effects flow from our ancient andhononrable institution . If then , companions , you have attentively followed the teaching of the four degrees of which tbe Royal Arch is the climax , you will have learned that there is no service on earth you cau render which will be more acceptable to your beneficent Creator than that of aiding in their need , cheering in their sorrowand comforting in their affliction , your fellow-creatures .
, All the unity in variety which , like a golden chain , runs through and unites these several degrees , speaks openmouthed of Him who has harmonised , by unity of the most simple laws , the wonderful and infinite variety which shows itself everywhere in this beautiful world which He has given us as our dwelling-place . It bids us , iu gratitude for favours already received and for His gracious promises for tbe future , use our utmost exertions to assist in erecting that glorious temple , that spiritual temple
which is to supersede the material temple on Alount Moriah , that perfect temple ivhich ( though , alas ! too slowly and imperfectly ) is gradually rising up throughout the civilised world , to be , byand-by , filled with the honour and glory of the great Jehovah , who is the eternal Ruler of the universe , the elemental life , the primordial source of all its principles , tbe very spring and fountain of all its virtues and of all its blessings . Companion ? , I ask you to exclaim with me—¦
" Happy the bonds that nold ye ! Since they be sweeter far than liberty , There is no happiness but in such bondage . Happy that happy chain ! such links are heavenly . " Let the battle cry of your Alasonic life be still Excelsior ! Excelsior . Excelsior ! PLYMOUTH . — Chapter Concord ( No . 225 ) . —This chapter was
held at 1 . 13 , Union-street , Plymouth , on tbe 18 th inst . The companions assembled for the purpose of installing the principal officers for the ensuing year : —Comps . T . Polsara , Z . ; J . Al . Hilley , H . ; J . Alontgomcry , J . ; W . Buwriug , S . ; J . T . Smith , S . E .-S . li . Arniiss , P . S . ; ' and AY . Radmore .
ExJiorrri . —St <; i Chapter ( No . 106 ) . — Ihe regular convocation of this chapter was held on Alonday , the 7 th inst ., at the Royal Beacon Hotel , the following being some of tbe companions present : —Comps . B . T . Hodge , P . Z ., acting as Al . E . Z . ; G'anfiehf , H . ; Alaynard , J . ; Shrinipton , E . ; Bastin , N . ; AIcKeuxic , IViii . S » j . ; Bishop , Assist . Soj . ; with Adams , P . Z . ; Freeman , Spittigue , Sherrington , Pridliam , Starke , Alurch ' Gundry , and Bristow . ATsilors : —Comps . Dr . Hopkins , P . Z . ; .
Bodley , Fortescue , of tho Umballa Chapter ; Storn , of Taunton , and others . The chapter having been opened aud the minutes read and confirmed , a ballot was t d _ en for Bro . David AA atson , St . John's Lodge , Torquay ( No . 328 ) , which was unanimous in bis favour . He was then admitted in due form , and exalted to tho supremo degree of R . A . M . The working was most efficiently rendered by all the officers , the lectures being given by the respective Principals . The Al . E . Z . ivas unavoidabl y prevented
being present by illness . A motion was then introduced by the Al . E . Z . acting , that in acknowledgment of the very valuable services formerly given to the chapter by Comp . AV . Opie , of Exeter , some testimonial should be presented to him , and after some discussion as to the form it should take , it was decided that it should be a suitable piece of p late which a committee , then appointed , was authorised to select . At the conclusion of the chapter business , the companions as usual adjourned to the banquet , which was served by Comp . Bastin in the style for which he is so noted .