Random Notes On Freemasonry.

powerful romance founded upon this , called " The Memoirs of a Physician . " The reign of the Communists , and the part many misguided masons took in the late unhappy struggle in France , is too recent to need more than a passing allusion here .

I cannot help repeating what I said at a recent meeting of the St . Luke's Royal Arch Chapter at Ipswich , that Masonry without Christianity in a Christian country cannot be said to be complete . This was recognized in the fact that before the

union of the two Grand Lodges in 1813 the Knights Templar degree was especially recognised by the Grand Lodge of all England at York , previous to 1770 , at which time the Rose Croix 18 th degree , and Kadosh , 30 th degree , were also worked .

And I fearlessly assert that the perfection of Masonry and its Christian character can only be only be obtained in the Antient and Accepted Rite and the Order of Knights Templar , ^ Much difficulty exists in tracing the origin of the Royal

Arch degree—Dr . Oliver thinks it did not exist before the middle of the last century , whilst Mackay is of opinion that before the year 1740 the essential element of the Royal Arch constituted a part of the third degree . In America , as

formerly in England , it is necessary to be a P . M . before the candidate is eligible for the Royal Arch . In Ireland it is the same , and there the degree differs essentially from our own .

In Scotland you must be a Mark as well as a P . M . to be eligible , and chapters in Scotland also confer the degree of Royal Ark Mariner ( which is now I believe given in England ) , under the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters .

Scotch Masons contend that the Royal Arch with its subsidiary degrees constitutes a part of Templar Masonry ; and in this country , as you are doubtless aware , it is necessary to be a Royal Arch Mason before you are eligible for the rank

of a Knight Templar . My own opinion is that the degree , like that of the Rose Croix , is very ancient ; but I am quite willing to admit that it took its present form , as Dr . Oliver asserts , about 1740 , or 1750 .

Nothing is more surprising than the ignorance of Masons about Masonry , and one is quite staggered to find excellent Masons who have never yet

Random Notes On Freemasonry.

joined in the sublime mysteries of the Royal Arch degree , which is as necessary to the completion of the Third , as the Mark is to the Second degree . ( To he continued . )

General Masonic Benevolent Fund For Bombay.

GENERAL MASONIC BENEVOLENT FUND FOR BOMBAY .

We copy the following from "The Masonic Record of Western India " : — Two very important matters are now under consideration amongst the heads of the Order in Bombay—to wit — the erection of a Masonic Temple , and the establishment of a General Benevolent Fund .

In regard to the first—the Masonic Templethe subject has been mooted over and over for the last fifty years ; it came to a point about six years ago—a site was presented , subscriptions were promised , plans were prepared , and even the

day was mentioned by a few over-sanguine brethren for laying the foundation-stone ; but the crash of the share mania came and upset all these pleasing anticipations . Recently the subject has again been revived ; and we sincerely hope it will

not be allowed to fall through for Avant of energy on the part of those who are best able to carry out the project . The establishment of the General Benevolent Fund can be easily carried out by the

amalgamation of the Charity Funds of the various lodges , chapters , & c . In our last Number we presented a scheme by which brethren , who are able , may provide for their families .

We will now venture to offer a few hints as to how these three schemes can work together , and the funds be properly invested . A joint stock company should be formed for erecting a Masonic Temple ; the funds collected for the Benevolent

Fund , and Widows' and Orphans' Fund could be invested in a certain number of shares in this Company : of course reserving a portion to meet the immediate demands that may be made upon these funds . Within two years the Temple will be completed , and the rents that will be paid by the numerous Masonic bodies that now meet in