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Other Companions expressed various opinions—various indeed—and differing ioto cwlo ; and Comp . Hugh Eraser ; and other Comps ., expressed a desire to pass a vote of condolence with the members of the Bon Accord Chapter on their existing position . ^ "Various questions were asked and answered , and , after a long and very interesting discussion , there was moved , by Comp . Beveridge , Scribe "N " ., and seconded by Comp . Findlay , P . H ., a long resolution , to the effect : — That the Companions of the Bon Accord Chapter felt themselves deeply aggrieved by the conduct of

the Supreme Chapter in reference to the Mark Master Degree . That the Supreme Chapter had not hesitated to violate not only its own laws , but the plainest principles of justice , by condemning the Bon Accord Chapter unheard , without even condescending to point out the law alleged to have been infringed , and by refusing to listen to anything in vindication . A proceeding more grossly arbitrary and unmasonic it was scarcely possible to conceive , and the Companions , with deep regret , felt themselves compelled to declare that , having lost all confidence in the Supreme Chapter , they could no longer remain in connection with that body , and therefore resolved—that the Charter received from the Supreme Chapter be forthwith returned , along with a statement of the reasons for so doing . "

It was next moved by Comp . Rettie , P . Z ., and seconded by Comp . Mollisou : — ' - ' That the Companions of Bon Accord Chapter , fully convinced of the truth of the great principle so ably enunciated and laid down by the Supreme G-rand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland , in the year 1824 , that Diplomas from the higher Masonic bodies , were ' recognised over the whole civilized world , as an evidence that the bearer had passed through all the inferior Degrees : ' and , being aware that the Arch , and other subordinate Degrees connected therewith were wrought by the

Knights Templar Encampments in Aberdeen many years previous to the formation of the Supreme Chapter , and that the Knights Templar Encampments never gave up their inherent right of working these Degrees , therefore resolve to apply to the St . Creorge Aboyne Knight Templar Encampment for a Warrant or Charter to work the Royal Arch Degree , and other subordinate Degrees connected therewith ; and that the Office-bearers be appointed a Committee to carry this resolution into effect . "

This motion was passed ; as were also two others , to the effect that the proceedings should be made as public as possible , and communicated to the Supreme Grand Chapter . After this heavy business was closed , the Companions were entertained by the Bon Accord Chapter , in the usual hospitable manner practised in this happy " land of cakes , " and a treat of truly Masonic harmony was also furnished in this same " land of song ; " and a better-conducted meeting , or one in which more truly Masonic behaviour was combined with hilarity and good feeling , was never held in this country or elsewhere .

A meeting of the following Chapters of Aberdeen was held in the Masonic Hall , on Monday , the 17 th March : —Old Aberdeen , No . 16 ; St . George ' s , No . 21 ; St . Peter , No . 30 ; M . E . Comp . Duncan , P . Z ., of St . Peter ' s Chapter , in the chair ; when resolutions relative to Bon Accord Chapter were unanimously agreed to , to the following effect : —That the meeting had heard with deep concern and regret of certain differences that had arisen between the Bon Accord Chapter and the Supreme Grand Chapter , resulting in the former throwing off its allegiance to the latter , and in the suspension as Royal Arch Masons of six worthy and

wellbeloved Companions of the Order . that tlie meeting , without entering into the merits of the cause of dispute , on 'which it expressed , no opinion whatever , could not but put on record its strong sense of the arbitrary and unconstitutional nature of said suspensions , carried into effect , as they appeared to have been , by the Supreme Chapter , without a charge being preferred against the suspended Companions , or any opportunity given them either to explain or defend their conduct . That , sympathizing with the six suspended Companions , the meeting begged , with all due deference and submission , but , at the same time , with firmness , to call on the Supreme Chapter to reconsider its resolution , to rescind the suspensions , and to proceed against the Bon Accord Chapter and its Companions for any error it