Consecration Of The James Terry Chapter, No. 2372.

sharing with us the complete knowledge of those secrets and mysteries which we , as members of the Royal Arch Degree , profess to have attained . Secondly , I feel myself somewhat in a position of difficulty to-day . Although I am not possessed of sufficient assurance to believe that the address which I have already twice delivered can have so far impressed itself on the minds of those who have heard it as to render them familiar with the arguments therein

contained ; yet I feel that I should be wanting in deference to those who attended on the previous occasions were f simply to repeat again my former composition ; I therefore propose to-daj to give an epitome of my earlier lecture , directing attention hriefly to a summary of this most interesting subject which I then endeavoured to treat in a more comprehensive manner . The Royal Arch Degree claims to be the completion , climax , and essence of Craft Masonry , and the very

foundation and keystone of our whole Masonic structure , and this contention may well be sustained when we consider its religious characteristics , and the manner in which it supplements and expands the morality of the first three Degrees . In these the main principles laid down are our duty towards our neighbours and ourselves , and we are exhorted to exercise , first , the great Masonic princi ples of Brotherly Love , Relief , and Truth ; then to extend our researches into the more

hidden mysteries of nature and science , and as the result of the progress which we shall make in our religious and moral training , by the practice of the principles thus inculcated we shall be the more fitted to gain a knowledge of ourselves , and to be able with equanimity to contemplate on and prepare for our inevitable destiny , and this naturally brings us face to face with the main teaching of the Royal Arch Degree . To be able to fulfil our duties in life , and to be prepared for

the great hereafter or futurity , we must rely on the mercy of our Almighty Creator , and by His grace endeavour to qualify ourselves for that eternal life and immortal bliss which is promised to those who sincerely desire to serve and please Him . Thus the great lesson which permeates this Degree is the merciful dealing of God with man , and the corresponding duty of man to promote the honour and glory of God , and to submit with reverence and humility to the various vicissitudes

which are the natural lot of fallen mankind during this mortal life . Thus in the ceremony of exaltation the candidate is impressively instructed in this high religious morality , and his attention is forcibly directed to the occasion of the recovery of the long lost secrets and word , and of the renewal of the presence and favour of the Most High to the remnant of that chosen people who had been carried away in captivity to Babylon . In the three beautiful lectures we have the

allegory and symbols connected with the Degree more fully explained . The three Grand Lodges , as portrayed in the historical lecture , typify the three special occasions on which the Almighty Creator was pleased to accept a dwelling-place on the earth , and to occupy with his divine presence , first , the Tabernacle , and then the first and second Temples , which were built at his dictation , and dedicited with such pomp and rejoicing to His honour and glory . In the symbolical lecture

our attention is drawn to the various forms , ornaments , and symbols of Royal ¦ Arch Masonry , to impress on our minds the providential means by which the ancient secrets were regained , and to engraft in our hearts those exalted lessons of morality which we as members of this Supreme Degree are bound to practice . The chapter itself , and every object connected with it , has its moral and religious signification , and brings before our minds the close interest which the Most High

takes in the welfare of His sinful creatures , and the manner in which He is associated , if we will but recognise it , with all our undertakings . And this is still further exemplified in the mystical lecture , where the signs refer us back to special occasions of direct intercourse between God and man , and demonstrates our entire dependence upon Him , and our utter helplessness and inability to counteract the powers of darkness without His Divine and especial favour . So

again the distinguishing emblems have been adopted as having from the earliest times been identified with a Divine or supernatural influence , in some mysterious manner exercising its power upon the destinies of mankind ; while the sacred words and characters bring before us those titles of the Most High which especially impress us with awe at the very thought of His boundless power and majesty , and at the same time with gratitude for His kindness and mercy to us in

spite of our constant failings , and our inclinations to do such things as are displeasing to Him . Let us , therefore , endeavour to follow out in practice the beautiful and Divine morality which this Degree endeavours to instil into our minds , and let us show that it inspires us with the most exalted ideas of God , and that it leads to the exercise of the most pure and sublime piety ; a reverence for the incomprehensible name of Jehovah—the Eternal Ruler of the Universe , the elemental life , the primordial source of all its principles , the very spring and

fount of all its virtues . May these principles and tenets be observed and adopted in this James Terry Chapter , which will , I hope , commemorate to future generations the name of one who is so highly esteemed in this province ( and who for so many years , and with so much honour to himself , has been intimately identified with the greatest and most important of our glorious Masonic Charities ) , and may they be transmitted through this chapter , pure and unsullied from generation to generation .

The ceremony of consecration having been carried out in all its interesting details , the Principals designate were inducted into their respective chairs , and the following officers invested by the M . E . Z ., assisted by Comp . C . H . ' Webb , P . Z . 174 , viz ., Comps . F . M . Bilby , S . E . ; J . Tydeman , S . N . ; W . A . Sproat , Treas . ; W . P . Warren , P . S . ; W . Metcalfe , ist A . S . ; and A . G . Young , Janitor . A cordial vote of thanks was then passed to the Consecrating Officer

and his assistants , who were also elected honorary members of the chapter , and the first-mentioned companion was invested by the M . E . Z . with a handsome founder ' s jewel as a memento of the occasion . Several letters from eminent members of the Order expressing regret at being unable to attend were then read at length , and four candidates for exaltation having been proposed , the chapter was closed .

I he companions then adjourned to the , Four Swans Hotel at Waltham Cross , where a sumptuous banquet was served in a way that reflects the hi ghest credit on that ancient hostelry , and we shall only be doing bare justice to the caterer and his staff when we say that the cuisine was perfect , the wines excellent , and the service all that could be desired . The comfort ° f the guests and their enjoyment of the repast , were greatly enhanced by

ll 'e kindly attention of the worthy host ' s charming daughters , who spared 'io effort to make everyone feel quite at home , and at the same time clearl y evinced the possibility of young ladies—naturally ornamental—being able to rend er themselves exceedingly useful when occasion requires . The usual toasts and responses were given , and with the veteran Comp .

James lerry in the chair of M . E . Z ., it is needless to mention the fact that a most agreeable evening was spent . . The musical arrangements were under the direction of Comp . E gbert 'Roberts , who , as a matter of course , carried out his portion of the programme w 'tn his usualTaste and ability .

Provincial Grand Mark Lodge Of Cumber Land And Westmorland.

PROVINCIAL GRAND MARK LODGE OF CUMBER LAND AND WESTMORLAND .

Ihe annual meeting of the above Provincial Gratid Lodge was held in the Oddfellows' Hall , Egremont , on Tuesday , the 19 th instant , under the banner of the Sewell Lodge , No . 421 , and although the weather was very unfavourable the muster was good , all the lodges in the province being

represented . The lodge was opened to receive Provincial Grand Lod ge by Bro . Jas . Lowery , P . G . Stwd ., W . M . Bro . Col . Sewell , P . M ., D . P . G . M ., was supported by the following officers and brethren :

Bros . P . de E . Collin , P . G . D . of England , as D . P . G . M . ; Thos . A . Argles , P . M . 119 , P . S . G . W . ; Geo . Dalrymple , P . A . G . D . C . of England , as P . J . G . W . ; J . O . Scott , P . M . 151 , P . J . G . O . ; Rev . J . Anderson , P . M . 213 , P . G . Chap . ; H . Burns , P . M . 213 , P . G . R . of M . ; J . Gardiner , P . M . 151 , P . G . Sec . ; J . Stout , P . M . 421 , P . J . G . D . ; Geo . Starkey , 213 , P . A . G . D . C . ; Dr . Muir , 213 , P . G . Std . Br . ; T .

J . Richardson , 60 , and A . Moordaff , 421 , P . G . Stwds . ; Rev . G . B . Armes , 216 , P . P . G . Chap . ; J . Wakefield , W . M . 216 , P . P . G . I . of W . ; H . Hartley , P . M . 216 , P . P . J . G . O . ; Thos . Richardson , P . P . G . Tyler ; John Messenger , 151 , P . P . G . Tyler ; D . H . Cook , P . P . G . Org . ; Thos . Atkinson , P . M ., P . P . J . G . D . ; J . A .

Parker , M . O . 421 ; Thos . Miller , S . O ., J . C . Hellen , J . O ., W . Bosward , Sec , G . Wilson , J . D ., J . Kitchin , T . McLeod , Tyler , and G . W . Roll , of 36 ; J . Nelson , S . W . 421 ; Thos . Annison , S . W ., and Robt . Leach , M ; 0 ., P . P . A . G . D . C , of 151 ; W . Robinson , S . W ., and W . Heathcote , J . W . / of 216 ; E . Jackson , Sec , Wm . Brown , J . D ., and J . J . Little , W . M . elect , of 282 ; and others .

The Provincial Grand Lodge having been opened , the roll of lodges was called , and all responded . Of the actual Prov . Grand Officers , a few were absent and had tendered apologies . The minutes of the last annual Prov . Grand Lodge were read and confirmed , and Bro . COLLIN , P . G . Treas ., read a statement of accounts which

showed a balance of nearly £ 60 to credit , and , on being put from the chair , were unanimously passed as read . Bro . DALRYMPLE moved that Bro . Collin be again elected Provincial Grand Treasurer , which was seconded by Bro . ARGLES , and unanimously adopted . The following brethren were then appointed and invested as officers :

Bro . George Dalrymple , W . M . 213 ... ... Prov . S . G . W . „ James Stout . P . M . 421 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . W . „ John Wakefield , W . M . 216 ... ... Prov . G . M . O . ,, Thomas Atkinson , P . M . 229 ... ... Prov . S . G . O ..

„ Edwin Loach , P . M . 282 ... ... ... Prov . J . G . O . „ Rev . G . B . Armes , Chap . 421 ... ... Prov . G . Chap . „ P . de E . Collin , P . M . 151 ... ... ... Prov . G . Treas . ,, James Lowery , W . M . 421 ... ... Prov . G . R . of M . 1 / - " -- : D \/ r . ~ . r » r * ouaiuinci ivi 11 ur

_ ,, jcuues , r .. ^ ... ... rruv . . oec . „ Spencer Broadbent , S . W . 213 ... ... Prov . S . G . D . „ J . J . Little , W . M . elect 282 ... ... Prov . J . G . D . „ lohn Nelson , S . W . 421 ... ... .... Prov . G . L of W .

„ G . Starkey , M . O . 213 ... ... ... Prov . G . D . C . „ W . Irving , M . O . 421 ... ... ... Prov . A . G . D . C . „ J . T . Richardson , J . W . 60 ... ... Prov . G . S . B . „ W . Robinson , S . W . 216 ... ... ... Prov . G . Std . Br .

„ A . Moordaff , 421 ... ... ... Prov . G . Org . „ D . Atkinson , 213 ... ... ... Prov . G . I . G . „ W . Heathcote , J . W . 216 ... ... ... V :: ? : AS % ! ::: ¦ ::: : ¦ * -. &&*

,, W . Bosward , 421 ... ... ... J „ S . McLeod , 421 ... ... ... Prov . G . T yler . On the motion of Bro . COLLIN , seconded by Bro . ARMES , the four

members of the General Purposes Committee were re-appointed . Bro . DALRYMPLE moved that 10 guineas be given from the provincial funds to the Cumberland and Westmorland Educational scheme , which was seconded by Bro . J . STOUT , and carried unanimously . Bro . T . A . ARGLES moved that 10 guineas be given from the funds to the Mark Benevolent Fund , which was seconded b y Bro . COLLIN ; and carried unanimously .

Bro . RICHARDSON , J . W . 60 , said he had been empowered by the members of the Cumberland Lodge , Carlisle , to ask the P . G . M . to hold the next annual meeting at Carlisle . The W . M . of Fletcher Lodge , No . 213 , said he had also to give an invitation for the next meeting to be held at Whitehaven . The DEPUTY PROV . GRAND MASTER said both recommendations would be considered .

The PROV . GRAND MASTER in the chair then said as it had been his rule in past years to say a few words about the doings of the province , he would not deviate from it on this occasion . He was pleased to say Mark Masonry still kept prosperous , and their own province , although slowl y , yet steadily , was doing good wotk . They had secured a Steward in their worth y Bro . Argies to represent them at the next Grand Mark Festival , and it a / ways

gave him pleasure to see a willing Steward , because on looking over the Blue Book published b y Grand Lodge , the number of boys and jt > irls that were being educated , also annuitants that were being supported in their declining years , it was evident this Fund was doing much good , and it was worthy of the hearty support of all Mark Masters . One other matter he wished to be perfectly understood upon , that was that no W . M . elect could

be installed at a lodge of emergency . Such had been the case , and he sincerely hoped it would not occur again in the province . The brethren were then , for the first time in the history of the Mark province , marshalled in order of procession by Bro . George Starkey , P . G . D . C , headed by the Volunteer band , and marched to the Egremont Parish Church , where an able sermon was preached by Bro . Rev . J . vs . ANDERSON , P . G . Chap ., from the 44 th chapter Ezukiel and 5 th verse .

Bro . Rev . W . THWAITES , P . P . G . Chap ., read the Lessons , and a collection was taken on behall of the Mark Masonic Charities . The brethren were then re-formed , and marched back to the hall , when Provincial Grand Lodge was closed in form , and the brethren adjourned to the Red Lion Hotel , where the hostess had made ample provision for all . The usual loyal and Masonic toasts were duly honoured .