Provincial Grand Chapter Of Middlesex.

there being no further business for transaction , Prov . Grand Chapter was closed in due form . The companions then adjourned to a substantial banquet , at which the Grand Superintendent , Sir Francis Burdett , Bart ., presided ,, but being obliged to leave before the commencement of the toast list , his place was afterwards filled b y the 2 nd Prov . Grand Principal , Comp . Raymond H . Thrupp .

The first toast honoured was , as usual , " The Queen and Royal Arch Masonry . " "The First Grand Principal , H . R . H . the Prince of Wales , the Pro Grand Principal , the Earl of Carnarvon , the Second and Third Grand Principals , and the rest of the Grand Officers , Present and Past , " was next propo- ed by Comp . RVIMOND H . THRUPP , 2 nd Prov . Grand Principal , who said that he was sure he need not expatiate on the merits of that body ,

for they were so well known . He was certain that they would give a hearty welcome to the Grand Officers present . There was Comp . Buss present that evening , who had been the Grand Treasurer of the province since its foundation , until he had been obliged to relinquish the post owing to illhealth . There was also Comp . Sadler , a very zealous companion , who had taken considerable trouble to search into the ancient history of Masonry . With this toast he would couple the name of their esteemed Comp . Cama , the Grand Treasurer .

Comp . CAMA , Grand Treasurer , tendered his sincere thanks for the honour accorded him by coupling his name with the toast , and also for the hearty manner in which the health of the Grand Officers had been received . He wished to take the present opportunity of thanking the Craft in general ,

and the Province of Middlesex in particular , for the hearty support he received at the election of Grand Treasurer . It was owing to that support that he was now in his present position , and able to respond for the Grand Officers . On behalf of himself and the other Grand Officers he begged to return his most hearty thanks .

Comp . Buss , P . P . G . Treasurer Middlesex , also responded , and said he was not aware that he would be called upon to return thanks for this important toast . He congratulated the companions on the formation of their new chapter , and was sure it would afford them all considerable gratification to see that it had been inaugurated with such success . They had all been deeply impressed by the ceremonies they had witnessed , and he was certain the province would be proud that a chapter had been formed that would be supported by such eminent companions .

In proposing "The Health of the M . E . Grand Superintendent , Sir Francis Burdett , " Comp . RAYMOND H . THRUPP said they had all seen the excellent manner in which that companion had performed the ceremonies that night . Their M . E . Grand Superintendent had been with them for many years , and had endeared himself to all , and he sincerely trusted that he would be spared for many years to preside over them in the able manner he had done in the past .

" The Second and Third Provincial Grand Principals , and the rest of the Provincial Grand Officers , Present and Past , " was then given by Comp . STILES , who said he proposed this important toast with the greatest possible pleasure . He wished also to express the pleasure felt by the companions to

see Sir Francis Burdett sufficiently restored to health to be able to be present to consecrate the chapter . It was impossible for the M . E . Grand Superintendent to carry out his numerous duties without assistance , and he had a valuable coadjutor in their esteemed Comp . Thrupp , to whom they were indebted for the excellent manner in which he had installed them into

their chairs . Comp . Thrupp had rendered invaluable service to the province , and he was sure it was the sincere wish of all present that he would for many years occupy the position he now so ably filled as 2 nd Provincial Grand Principal . They were all deeply sensible of the honour conferred upon them by his presence that evening , and he had been supported most

ably by Comp . Saunders , the 3 rd Provincial Grand Principal , and Comp . Taylor , P . P . G . J ., and many other distinguished Provincial Grand Officers . The companions present were all aware that he was a very young Provincial Officer , but he assured them that he would endeavour to make himself beloved in provincial Masonry as he believed he was in London .

Comp . RAYMOND H . THRUPP , 2 nd Provincial Grand Principal , in reply , said that it was very difficult to reply to a toast that had been proposed in such kindly terms , and had been met with such an enthusiastic reception . It was always a pleasure to him to visit in . the province , for he was always sure of a hearty welcome . He supported their M . E . Grand Superintendent to the best of his ability , and he was sure that Comp . Sir

Francis Burdett would be pleased to hear of the way in which his health had been received . He now wished to ask tViem to drink " Success and Prosperity to the new Chapter . " There was one thing he desired to call their attention to , and that was the name of the chapter they had consecrated . Some of them would remember the companion after whom the chapter had been named , and he trusted that they would emulate the late

Comp . Henry Levander , and try to walk in his steps . If they did that , it would fulfil the kind wishes of Sir Francis , and would become a flourishing chapter and a credit to the province . Comp . STILES , M . E . Z ., responded , and said it was the earnest wish of his colleagues and himself that their chapter should be a success . They were anxious to carry out their duties in a satisfactory manner , and if the

Grand Officers , or any other companions attended in the future , he hoped they would be able to show them by their working that they revered the name of the companion who had gone before . Their chapter was founded by a lodge that had made rapid strides in the province , and he was sure he would be supported in a manner worthy of that lodge . He sincerely thanked Comp . Thrupp for the kind remarks he had made , and he hoped he would never have occasion to find fault with the Henry Levander Chapter .

"The Second and Third Principals of the Henry Levander Chapter " was next given by Comp . STILES , M . E . Z ., who said that in proposing this toast he was but giving honour to whom honour was due . Those two companions had worked very hard to start this new chapter . Comp . Scurrah , who Is W . M . of the lodge bearing the same name , had rendered valuable service , and Comp . Willing was , as they were all aware , . 1 most earnest companion . He asked them to honour those two companions by heartily receiving the toast of their health .

Comp . SCURRAH thanked them most heartily for the kind manner in which the toast had been proposed and received . He would certainly admit that he had taken considerable trouble in the foundation of the chapter . Being W . M . of the Henry Levander Lodge , and taking into consideration the fact that there was no chapter in existence in the neighbourhood , he thought it his duty to do his best to support the formation of the chapter . He would take the deepest interest in it , and he hoped to continue for sometime to be connected with Freemasonry , as he had been in the past .

Provincial Grand Chapter Of Middlesex.

Comp . WILLING also responded , returning thanks for the heartiness of his reception , and expressing the interest he felt in the chapter . Comp . STILES next proposed "The Visitors , " and said that they had present some of the most distinguished members of Arch Masonry—to whom they were pleased to extend the right hand of fellowship . He hoped that if any of them were present on the next occasion thev would be

able to witness a sample of the working of the officers of that chapter . They had an excellent companion in Comp . Saunders , whom they heartily welcomed , and whom they hoped to see on many future occasions . There was also Comp . Levander present , whom they all esteemed for his associations with the name of one whose memory they revered . There were many others present who had rendered good service to Masonry , and he was assured that the companions would give them a cordial and hearty

reception . Comp . Rev . S . T . H . SAUNDERS , on behalf of the visitors , tendered his sincere thanks for the hospitable manner in which they had been received . Comp . LEVANDER also replied , and said that it was with feelings of very great satisfaction that he heard that the Henry Levander Lodge intended to form a chapter , for it was one of his brother ' s greatest wishes that every lodge should have a chapter in connection with it . That feeling was

intensified when he found that he could be present to witness the consecration . He wished it every prosperity , and thanked them all for the honour conferred upon him by coupling his name with the toast . Comps . DEAN and WEBB also responded . "The Health of the Scribes E . and N . and the other Officers " having been given , and suitably responded to by Comp . DICKEY , the Janitor ' s toast closed the proceedings . The musical arrangements were under the direction of Comp . Tohn Read , P . Z . ' J

Royal Arch Masonry In West Yorkshire.

ROYAL ARCH MASONRY IN WEST YORKSHIRE .

CONSECRATION OF THE ZETLAND CHAPTER , No . 603 , AT CLECKH EATON .

The consecration of this chapter took place on Saturday , 19 th inst ., at Tofts , Cleckheaton . Although the warrant was granted some months ago , unavoidable delay has taken place . The chapter was opened by Comp . C . Letch Mason , P . Z . 304 , P . P . G . H ., the Consecrating Principal acting for and on behalf of Comp . T . W . Tew , J . P ., the Prov . Grand Supt ., assisted by Comps . John Booth , P . Z ., P . P . G . J ., as H ., and the Rev . T . C . Smyth , D . D ., P . Z ., Z . 1042 , Prov . G . J ., as J . There were also

present—Comps . Henry Smith , P . Z . 302 , Prov . G . S . E . ; Herbert G . E . Green , Z . ioig , Assist . Prov . G . S E . i J . Heaton Cadman , P . Z . 154 , Prov . G . Reg . ; W . B . Alderson , P . Z . 495 , P . P . G . R . ; J . W . Fourncss , P . Z . 2 . Sg , Prov . G . Treas . ; Isaac Oates , P . Z . 25 S , P . P . G . Treas . ; Robt . Craig , P Z . 304 , P . P . G . S . ; Jas . Bedford , P . Z . 304 , P . P . G . S . N . ; Thomas Pickles , P . Z . 25 S , P . P . G . J . ; John W . Turner , P . Z . 290 , Prov . G . Swd . Br .: Arthur A . Stott , P . Z . 25 S , Prov . G . Std . Br . ; W . F . Smithson , P . Z . 2 S 9 , P . P . G . D . C ;

John Barker , P . Z . 25 S , P . P . G . D . C ; Wm . Watson , P . Z . 304 , Prov . G . Stwd . ; Jas . Kaye , P . Z . 275 , Prov . G . Stwd . ; Joshua Lee , P . Z . 290 , Prov . G . Janitor ; Wm . Thos . Flather , 139 ; S . H . Stocks , P . Z . 25 S ; j . R . Sampson , 25 S ; Joseph C . Wharton , P . Z . 25 S ; Rawson Kelley , 25 S ; Thomas Dodds , 289 ; Robt . Abbott , 304 ; Thomas Thorpe , 304 ; W . M . Tyers , 304 ; Samuel Barrand , 304 ; E . Lord , P . Z . 405 ; Wm . Allatt , P . Z . ; and Tudor Trevor , P . Z . 71 ( S . C . )

The chapter being duly opened , the petition and charter of constitution having 1 een read by the Provincial Grand Registrar , Comp . J . HEATON CADMAN , P . Z .,

The Prov . G . J ., the Rev . T . C SMYTH , D . D ., P . Z ,, Z . 1042 , delivered the following address : — It has ever been the rule among Freemasons , from the earliest periods to the present time to inaugurate and dedicate with solemn ceremonies lodges and chapters assembled to celebrate our mystic rites , and consequently we , after the manner of our ancient brethren . have mefcto-dav to lav the frmndatmn nf a m ^ ral nri ; £ r < i » * - , <> o . » r 1 „« . 1 : : _ i __

of our holy Order—Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth . Having been called on by the Consecrating Officer to deliver an address as part of the ceremony , I have thought it well not to enter into any elaborate disquisition regarding the anti quity and probable origin of Royal Arch Masonry ( . upon which so many learned conjectures have been brought forward by Oliver and others ); but rather to select a single character—that of Nehemiah—as a pattern to our Order , which commemorates his name , connected with the high and holy work to which he devoted his substance and enciirips . W . marl ;„

the Volume of the Sacred Law that the pious restoration of the walls of Jerusalem under his zealous superintendence , soon raised the hostility and fieice opposition of the neighbouring tribes . Old enmities were awakened , new jealousies stimulated ; and everything done to prevent and retard the progress of the work . The subtle opponents of Judah ' s prosperity plotted , intrigued , and threatened by turns ; nay , even concocted a treacherous plan to seize Nehemiah , in order to kill , or to keep him prisoner . " Now it come to pass , " are his own words , " when Sauballat , and Abiah , and Geshem , the Arabian , and the rest of our enemies heard that I had builded

the walls , and that there was no breach left therein that Sauballat and Geshem sent unto me , saying , come , let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ous , But they thought to do me mischief . " Too wise and wary did we prove , however , tobeduped by their artifice . " I sent messengers unto them " he proceeds to state , " saying , I am doing a great work so that I cannot come down ; why should the work cease whilst I leave it and come down to vm . ? " 17 , r „„ . „„

zealous in the sacred object which the providence of the true and Everliving God Most High had committed to his care , he set about it , and steadily adhered to it , with all his m 'R , . d soul , and strength . Duty , in a word , to him was everything , and no device of God s or Judah ' s cunning enemies could frighten , or win , or turn him from it . Well then companions , may his name be commemorated in our most impressive and beautiful ceremonies , and would that all of us were more imbued with his self-denying and earnest spirit . First , I would pointthentohissteadfastmaintenancebyexampleand precept of- " that virtue which may justly be viewed as the distinguishing characteristic of a Freemason ' s heart

the grace of Charity . " " There were at my table , " he declares in the fifth chapter of the Book which bears his name , " an hundred and fifty of the Jews and Rulers , beside those that came to us from among the brethren , that are about us . Vet required I not the bread of the Governor , because the bondage was heavy upon the people . " And again , at the reading of the Law with the elders he exhorts them thus : " Go your way eat the fat and drink the sweet , and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared . " Let us luriher notice Nehemiah as adding to the practices of benevolence ih »

fulfilment of that Masonic duty , so beautifully urged in the earliest rites of our ancient Fraternity . Not only did he render to his needy neighbour "those kind offices which justice and mercy nquired at his hands , by relieving his distresses , by soothing his afflictions , and by doing to him as in similar circumstances he would wish that others should do to himself ; " but combined with those graces " such a prudent and well regula'ed course of conduct as best contributed to the development of his mental and corporeal faculties in their fullest energy , thereby enabling him to enjoy those talents with which God had blessed him , to His glory and to the benefit of his fellow-creatures . " Instead of

bewailing , with folded hands , the long captivity of his exiled nation , and the ruin of that holy and beautiful house where his fathers had worshipped , he set himself earnestly and with self surrender , to do the will of God Most High in repairing the desolate places of Zion and displaying the lustre of a holy life to his humbler countrymen . Surely , in this , I well may say that he reads an enduring lesson to us . He shows , in these our own days of turbulent controversy , that whatever may be right , or whatever wrong , we cannot be wrong in doing justice , in loving mercy , in walking humbly with God Most High , in deigning our wills , in building up others , as well as ourselves , in the noble principles of our Ancient Fraternity , and in practising that