Royal Arch.

him in the other offices . He then proposed "Comp . K'nirston ' s health as I . P . Z ., " and congratulated the com' ions on having had a Z . who , while doing everything h roulel for the comfort and happiness of the companions , i ° i vet curtailed the expenses in such a way as to have l ' arce balance in hae . d . The companions had not met without their and

nce ' in the year enjoying banquet , yet the M . E . Z . had not forgotten to look after the funds . In _ jtjon ol the great services he had rendered to the ' hal'ter the companions had resolved to present him with the jewel of a P . Z ., and this jewel he now affixed to Comp . Kingston ' s breast . The companions in voting the Vwel wished to express their conviction that while Comp .

Kin gston had held the office of First Principal he had done everything which a First Principal could do in that capacity . The companions would always regard 1 im with thc same feelings . Comp . Kingston , in acknowledging the presentation , assured the companions that he felt very grateful for the handsome testimonial so kindly presented . Even were the j ^ wel of less intrinsic value than it was he

should set the same value on it as he did now , as a token of thc companion's appreciation of what he had endeavoured to do for the chapter . Every one had some shortcomings , and though he was not exempt from them , he had done the best he could for the chapter . He was a founder and original member of the chapter , and as long -is he lived he hoped to continue a member . Comp .

Kingston then gave " The Hea'th of Comp . Pike , the Exaltce , " who , in reply , said he had been much impressed with the ceremony , and would not forget the kindness with which he had been received . Comp . Murlis , H ., proposed " The Health of the Past Principals . " The two Past Principals in attendance were as good as any could be . Comp . Stevens he had known for twenty-five years , and

lie bad found him in that time an excellent friend , and in Masonry no one could deny that he was a great power . He hoped the Past Principals would be spared many years to sec young Royal Arch Masons coming on and doing their duty . Comp . S ' . evens , in reply , said that Comp . Murlis ' s reminder of a twenty-five years' acquaintance vvas a warning that he was getting on in life . He was

exceedingly pleased to bc connected with the Whittington Chapter , which was the first chapter that gave him an opportunity of passing the chair . He should always look upon the chapter in that light . It gave him great p leasure to think of the cordiality with which he had at all times been received in the chapter . He believed he had the confidence of the members , both as a Past Principal

and as Treasurer . He took great interest in Freemasonry generally , and in Royal Arch Masonry in particular , and he must say that if there vvas one chapter particularly which he esteemeel it a favour to be connecteel with , it was the Whittington Chapter . Comp . Kingston also responded , and then proposed " The H . and J . " In the course of his observations he thanked the compmions for having voted

five guineas to his list for thc Benevolent Institution , at the festival of which , on thc 12 th February next , Comp . Stephens woulel also be a Steward . Comp . Murliss replied , anel said , after apologising for many shortcomings , that he did not suppose he should ever make a first rate Freemason as far as words were concerned , but with regard to the " right hand of fellowship" he yielded to no one . If his pockets were filled with gold he should throw it

broadcast to Masonic institutions . He hoped to go on and improve , and he trusted that the companions would support him in his attempts to benefit the charities of the Order . Comp . Massey replied for the toast of " The Visitors , " and Comps . Glaskin , Grist , and I ' arkhouse to that of " The Officers . " Comps . Fry , Smout , and High , replied feir "Lay Members , " and Comp . Gilbert gave the Tyler ' s toast , after which the companions separated .

MACDONALD CHAPTER ( No . 121 O ) . —The installation convocation of thc above chapter was held on Thursday , the 21 st inst ., at thc head-quarters of thc ist Surrey Volunteer Rifles , Floddcn-road , Camberwell . The chapter vvas in mourning for the late M . E . Z ., Comp . Wagstaff , whose sudden death vvas a source of great regret to the companions , and threw over those present a feeling of

gloom and regret for his absence at this meeting , he being so highly esteemeel by all who knew him , for his amiable disposition . The chapter vvas opened by Comps . Henry Muggeridge , Past Grand Standard Bearer , as Z . ; W . J . Messenger , Past Grand Standarel Bearer , as II . ; J . H . Hastie , Past Grand Standard Bearer , as J . The minutes of the list convocation were read and confirmed , when a

vote of condolence to the family of the late Comp . Wagstaff vvas carried unanimously . A conclave of Instilled Principals was then formed , and Comp . Muggeridge installed Comps . W . J . Messenger , M . E . Z . ; J . H . Hastie , H . ; Newington Bridges , J . Thc conclave was closed anil thc ce nipanions re-admitted , when the following companions were inducted into the different subordinate offices , viz .:

—Comps . Captain Thomas , S . E . ; Braellcy , S . N . ; Captain Wire , Treasurer ; Voungman , P . S . ; C . ilonel Gardner , ist A . S . ; Lieutenant Nevill , 2 nd A . S . ; Hammond , D . C . ; Lieutenant Woodcock , W . S . ; Hale , C . S . This being a military chapter the members appeared in uniform , and wc could not help noticing that the commanding officer if the lesimcnt , Colonel Gardner , accepted a junior office

in the chapter under non-commissioned officers and private members of thc corps . In addition to thc above the following companions wire present , viz .: — Comps . C . E . Goldring , W . C . Hale , II . Hammond , E . Oldrid ge , A . R . Cranch , and H . P . Jarman . 'The visitors were Comps . |> . A . Naimc , P . Z . 1 7 6 ; M . S . Larlham , 11 .

7 ^ 0 ; A . Miildlenias , 17 ( 1 ; T . Edmondston , 1216 ; W . L . Pcrmrsson , 1329 ; and Fountain Mien , 1185 . The chap . tcr was closeel in ancient and solemn form , and thc companions adjournal to the comfortable mess room , where a tcry substantial anel pleasant banquet was supplied , which the companions appeared to do full justice to , not forgetting 'he sparkling wine , which vvas excellent , and reflected

Royal Arch.

great credit on the taste of the worthy and esteemed host . After dinner , " The Health of Her Majesty the Queen " was drank in a very loyal manner , and the name of the M . E . G . Z ., H . R . H . the Prince of Wales also honoured , the M . E . Z . proposed 'The Health of the Earl of Carnarvon , M . E . Pro G . Z ; Lord Skelmersdale , G . H . ; Lord De Tabley ; G . J . ; and the rest of the Grand Oflicers , " coupling the toast with the name of Comp . Henry Muggeridge ,

P . G . S . B ., who returned thanks . "The H ; alth of the M . E . Z . and the Officers , " together with other toasts , were drank . Comps . Cranch and Jarman delighted the companions with their vocal abilities , Comp . Muggeridge gave the " Balaclava Charge , " and the compinions separated at an early hour , highly pleased . We understand that Comp . Wagstaff's son will be a candidate at the next election for the Masonic Boys' School .

BATH . —Royal Cumberland Chapter ( No . 41 ) . —A regular meeting was held at the Masonic Hall , at 7 30 p . m ., on Tuesday , Nov . 19 th , which was unusually well attendee ! . The following companions occupied the several chairs . Carey , M . E . Z . ; Hill , H . ; Hearne , J . ; Moutrie , P . Z ., Treas . ; Dr . Hopkins , acting as I . P . Z . ; Brown , E . ; Reeves , P . Z . as N . ; Williamson , P . Soj . ;

Howes , S . Soj . ; P . C Young , as J . Soj . ; in the unavoidable absence of Comp . Hunt on account of illness . There were also present E . Comps . Rubie and Keene , P . Z ., and many members of the chapter . The Board of Installing Principals was opened punctually , and on the subsequent admission of the companions the chapter vvas opened . This done , the minutes of the last meeting were

confirmed . The next business was the exaltation of Bros . F . Wilkinson , W . M ., and Radway , J . D . of Craft Lodge 41 , vvh-i were in attendance . After the usual preliminaries they were admitted , ami the first part of the ceremony as far as the O . B . was conducted by the M . E . Z . Ex . Comp . Dr . Hopkins completed the work , including the delivery of the historical , symbolical , and mystical lectures , the

conclusion of which was greeted by the acclamations of those present . The duties of Principal Sojourner were admirably performed by Comp . William son . A ballot was taken for Bro . Peach as a candidate for exaltation at the next meeting , and two other brethren were proposed . The

officers for the ensuing year were nominated and balloted for , in each case unanimously favorable . Their names will be given after the installation next month . The bylaws having been revisid , it was otiicred that 100 copies should be printed , and that one should be given to every member . The chapter was finally closed at 10 o ' clock .

Mark Masonry.

Mark Masonry .

YORK . —York Lodge ( Time Immemorial ) . —The regular meeting was held at York , on Tuesday , the 19 th inst ., Bro . T . B . Whytehead , W . M ., in the chair , the Wardens' chairs being occupied by Bros . T . Cooper , P . M . and G . Balmford , P . M . The first business was the confirmation of the minutes , which included an alteration in the bye-law respecting the installation of Master , which in

future will take place in January . This step was rendered necessary by the inability of the W . M ., elect ( Bro . the Hon . W . T . Orde Powlett ) to be present that day , he being a guest of the Earl of Scarbro' at the festivities at Sandbeck Park . Three brethren were advanced to the honourable degree of M . M . M . and the W . M . proposed as a joining member Bro . A . Gerald Duncombe , of the University Mark Lodge , No . c $ , Oxford . Bro . M . Millington , J . D .,

presented to the lodge a set of candidate ' s aprons , which were much admired . An excellent supper was provided at the close of the lodge , at which about twenty-five brethren sat down , amongst the guests being Bros . Major Shaw Hellin ( 4 th D . G . ) Captains Tynte and Hanly ( 4 th D . G . ) Leiutenant Richey , R . A . and others , the visitors , in replying to the toast of their health , alluding in terms of high praise to the splendid working of the lodge .

DEVONPORT . —St . Aubyn Lodge ( No . 64 ) — The annual meeting of this lodge was held on Monday , 23 th inst ., at the Masonic Rooms , Moricc Town . V . W . Bro . Vincent Bird , Past G . M . O ., and P . G . Sec . ; presided . A . M . M . of the Royal Naval College , No . 1 , 593 , Lieut . Charles Elsden Gladstone , R . N ., a nephew of the ex-Premier , W 3 S advanced to the degree of M . M . M ., and

joined the lodge . Bro . Lieut . James R . W . Qumn , R . N ., P . G . S . O . ; was elected and installed the W . M . for the ensuing year . V . W . Bro . V . Bird conducted the installation , supported by the following Board of I . M . ' s : — W . Bros . S . | ew , P . P . G . M . O . ; J . B . Govcr , P . P . G . M . O . ; T . Gooelall , ' l ' . P . G . S . O . ; John Baxter , P . P . G . S . D . ; E . Aitken Davies , P . P . G . J . D . ; E . D . Parnell , P . P . G . St . B . ;

E . J . Knight , P . P . G . S . B . ; and John Allen , P . P . St . Thc feillowing brethren were also present during the evening : — W . Bros , thc Rev . T . W . Lemon , M . A ., W . M . elect , Sincerity Mark Lodge , No . 3 j , P . P . G . Chap . ; H . Horton , P . G . J . W . ; andT . Searle , P . P . A . D . C . ; and Bro . Herbeit Dinham , Temple Lodge . At the close of thc installation thc following brethren were appointed the officers : —

W . Bros . M . I ) . Rickard , P . P . G . S . D ., I . P . M . ; John Masters , P . P . G . S . Wks ., S . W . ; Bros . Lieutenant C . E . Gladstone , J . W . ; G . Nutchcr , M . O . ; J . Williams , S . O . ; W . Bros . P . B . Clemens , P . P . G . O ., J . O . ; C . Watson , P . P . G . Purs ., Treas . ; ( ohn Baxter , Sec ; John Ripper ; S . D . ; V . Bird , J . D . ; W . Littleton , P . M ., I . G . ; T . Goodall , O . ; W . H . Roberts , Tyler .

WALTHAMSTOW . — Bcaconsfield Lodge ( No . 205 ) . — 1 he brethren of this lodge met at the Chequers , Marsh-street , on Saturday , the ifith inst . Bro . D . M . Devvar , P . G . M . O ., opened the lodge for the W . M ., and the minutes of thc last lodge and audit meetings were read and confirmed . The ballot was taken for six brethren , which proved unanimous in their favour . Four of thc

Mark Masonry.

andidates being present , they were regularly introduced and advanced into the Order , according to ancient form and custom . Thc ceremony of installation was then proceeded with , Bro . Biickes , G . S ., being the Installing Master . Bro . W . T . Christian , the W . M . elect , was then installed , proclaimed , and saluted in due form . The W . M . appointed the following brethren his officers for tbj ensuing year ,

viz .: Bros . T . Pinder , P . M ., Treas . ; W . C . Claridge , S . W . ; W . Grooms , J . W . ; W . G . Hallows , M . O . ; T . Franklin , S . O . ; J . S . Badkin , J . O . ; F . Hallows , Sec . ; E . Laverack , R . M . ; B . Brown , J . D . ; J . M . Hunt , J . D . ; J . H . Cambridge , I . G . ; J . Upwarel , Org . ; E . Lane , D . C . ; E . Sheppird , W . S . ; W . Gilchrist , Tyler . It was proposed , seconded , and carried , nem . con ., that a vote of thanks

be tendered and recorded upon the minutes of the lodge to Bro . Binckes and Dewar for their able and efficient services as installing officers . The lodge was clnsed in due form with solemn prayer . After the labours of the evening were ended , the brethren sat down to a banquet , after which the usual Masonic toasts were proposed by the W . M . Bros . Binckes and Dewar responding for the " Grand Officers , " .

and the toast of "The I . P . M ., " Bro . J . Pinder , was ably given and heartily responded to by the brethren , and for his able and efficient services as first W . M . of the lodge , the brethren , through the W . M ., presented him with a very handsome Past Master ' s j eewel . Bro . Pinder replied ,

thanking the brethren for so hi ghly appreciating his services , and wishing the lodge prosperity anel success . "The Health of the W . M . " vvas then proposed by Bro . Pinder , and responded to , the remaiiiing toasts were then given , and the brethren separated after spending a very pleasant evening .

ABINGDON . —Abbey Lodge ( No . 225 ) . —The consecration of this lodge , and the installation of the W . M . took place at Abingdon on the 30 th ult ., in the presence of Bros . Levander , Grand Registrar ; D . M . Dewar , P . P . G . O . and Grand Asst . Sec . ; Robt . Berridge , Grand Director of Ceremonies ; and a large number of brethren from Oxford , Aldershot , and other places . The ceremonies were

beautifully and impressively performed by V . W . Bro . the : Rev . P . M . Holdcn , Past Grand Chaplain ; and Bro . Walter Ballard was installed as W . M , of this new Mark Lodge with every prospect of a most successful year of office . The effect of the proceedings vvas greatly enhanced through the

kindness of the Mayor and Corporation placing the handsome municipal buildings at the disposal of the brethren for the ceremonies , and great credit is due to Bro . E . S . Shepherel , for the excellent arrangements which he was principally instrumental in making . An elegant banquet conclueled a most pleasant day .

The Northern Masonic Mutual Benevolent Association.

THE NORTHERN MASONIC MUTUAL BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION .

A system of Masonic relief or assurance has been in existence in the United States for the last ten years , which we think peculiarly effective in rendering aid to the widows and orphans of deceased Masons , by its simplicity , cheapness , and perfect safety . It has been wondered why a plan

of assurance , now so wide-spread in the United States , doing so much good of a truly Masonic character , has failed to reach these shores . The brethren of the mystic tie in America are banding themselves together all over the country for a closer union and a belter protection . Their work receives the plaudits of the multitude and has caused brethren widely separated to be brought

together in sympathy and the bond of charity . It has united them in purpose , and cmcentrated their efforts in a work which is causing every heart to glow with the inspiration of a new life . A sketch of the initial organisation will best illustrate the working of the system . In the year 1869 , the Southern Tier Masonic Mutual Life Insurance Company was organised in the State of New York , at the

City of Elmira . This name was changed in 186 9 for pr jdential reasons to its present name , " The Southern Tier Masonic Relief Association . " On thc evening of organisation , a few brethren met in the loelge-voom , for the purpose of taking such action as they might think proper . After a mutual interchange of views and opinions , it was deemcel advisable to form a company .

Thirty-eight brethren subscribed their names , an 1 became what is termed , Charter Members . The real work of organization then began . Committees were appointed to mark out the way in which , in their judgment , it seemed best to follow . Thc course before them was wholly untried . They had no precedents to guide , and no landmarks to direct them . Principles in thc government of such

associations were entirely unknown . But , it had strong hands and willing hearts to lay thc foundation and superintend the erection of the superstructure . The cement that united them into one common bond was chaiity , this vvas thc pole-star of their hopes , and has never been lost sight of . From the first the work prospered , and grew beyond their most sanguine

expectations . Not one of its projectors ever dreamed , in the outset , of a membership to exceed five hundred . Its name indicates that it was intended to relieve the lodges , to a certain extent , of their heavy charitable work , and at the same time , place in the hands of many , more than they could reasonably expect from the lodges . The success attending this initial Masonic Relief Society attracted much attention . Outsiders began to see that a real advantage and lasting benefit was

being conferred by Masonry through connection with this association . Not long had this grand scheme been before the Masonic public , when association after association , was formed on the same principle throughout the States and Canada , till at the present moment , no less than one hundred and sixty-eight societies exist in the United States and Canada , with a membership of 84 , 808 ; the death-rate on this membership , was ij per cent , in 1876 . The plan may be briefly and simply stated—sup-