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Colony , namely , that of the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales , with upwards of 180 lodges on its roll , and the United Grand Lodge of England , to which this Lodge No . 6 56 is determined to continue its allegiance . Under these circumstances , and without expressing any opinion upon the case of Lodge No . 6 5 6 ,

as described by Bro . ROBINSON , it seems desirable we should say a few words in explanation of the vievvs which Bro . HUGHAN and we have from time to time expressed in the Freemason on the vexed question of jurisdiction . In the first place , our correspondent is wrong in imagining that there is any difference of opinion between Bro . HUGHAN and

ourselves as to the right which every lodge possesses to remain in allegiance to its mother Grand Lodge . On the contrary , we are of the same mind as he is , that " if any object ( to join the new Grand Lodge of New South Wales ) to do so , they are distinctly within their rights , and will be upheld by us in this country . " Indeed , we

have more than once pointed out that so long as a private lodge continues to obey the laws of our Grand Lodge , as contained in our Book of Constitutions , the latter has no power to determine its existence . Thus , if No . 65 6 ,. or any other lodgeof English Constitution in New South Wales , elects to remain in its old allegiance to our Grand Lodge , instead of casting in its

lot with the majority of its sister lodges , there is nothing to prevent its so doing , and our United Grand Lodge will watch over and protect its interests with as much care as if there were no such body in existence as the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales . This is the position we have taken up during the whole of the differences and difficulties which have been forced

upon our Grand Lodge by the Grand Lodge of Ouebec , and so long as the three English lodges in Montreal are resolved on remaining as they are , so long will it be the duty of our Grand Lodge to protect and support them . But , in saying this , we must at the same time point out , for the benefit of Bro . GEO . ROBINSON , and the few of whom , we suppose , he is the

mouthpiece , that higher interests may occasionally render it undesirable that a small section of a community should always and in all circumstances insist on having its full legal rights . In this particular case the hi gher interests involved are those of Freemasonry as a whole , and we have no hesitation in affirming that if those interests are consulted as they deserve to be , then

every lodge of English Constitution in New South Wales will cast in its lot with the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales , instead of remaining , as it is fully entitled to do , in its old allegiance . We wish further to remark , with reference to the expression— " insignificant minority "—to

which Bro . ROBINSON SO pointedly takes exception , that , though we cannot call to mind the particular occasion on which we used it , we have no doubt the context will show that the idea we were anxious to convey was that of ? z ?»« m '( Y ^ insignificance , or , injother words , that the minority as compared with the majority was , in respect of mere numbers , of little or no account .

* * By the last Australian mail we are favoured with news of Chapter " " another important step being taken amongst the Freemasons Victoria . Q c ^ ( J ] 0 y 0 [ Victoria , to bring about amalgamation and

consolidation . This time it is the Royal Arch Masons who are taking action . A meeting of Present and Past Principals was held in Melbourne , on the 30 th of January , under the presidency of M . E . Comp . J J AMES , P . Z . 530 , P . D . G . J . Victoria ( E . C . ) , with the object of inaugurating a Supreme Grand Chapter , concurrently with the opening of the United

Grand Lodge of Victoria , on the 21 st of March . In Victoria , at the present time , there are 11 chapters working under the English Constitution , and two others in course of foundation , also one Irish and one Scottish chapter . An insuperable difficulty , however , faced the promoters of a Supreme body at the outset , namely , the course to be adopted with regard

to the members belonging tothe three chapters unwarrantably and unconstitutionally chartered by the Supreme Grand Chapter of Canada , some time ago , which act of invasion , it will be remembered , produced a strong resolution of remonstrance from the Supreme Grand Chapter of England last year . The members of the three Canadian chapters referred happen

to belong to the hitherto unrecognised Grand Lodge of Victoria , now allied with the District and Provincial Grand Lodges of the three British Constitutions , as a United Grand Lodge of Victoria . At the meeting in question , a letter was read from the Canadian chapters expressing their willingness to join in the formation of a Supreme

Grand Chapter for the colony , failing which it was injudiciously hinted that the alternative would be the immediate foundation of a Supreme Grand Chapter of Victoria by the Canadian chapters . This naturally produced a feeling of resentment , and matters promised to proceed slowly and inharmoniously . Better feelings , however , eventually prevailed , and at

a mutual conference five days later , the Canadians undertook to return their warrants and become joining members of the Washington Chapter , No . 368 ( I . C ) . All's well that ends well , therefore , and theSupremeGrand Chapter accordingly will be inaugurated on the very same day as the United Grand Lodge . We may here appropriately congratulate our

Victorian brethren on the celerity of their movements , as compared with the neighbouring colony of New South Wales . The United Grand Lodge of New South Wales was constituted , and Bro . Lord CARRINGTON installed M . W . G . M . last September , but at latest date no steps had been taken to form a Supreme Grand Chapter ; indeed , the English and Scottish chapters

were still working under their old warrants . Of course , Comp . Sir W . J . CLARKE , Bart ., the Grand Superintendent of Victoria , under the English Constitution , will be the first Grand M . E . Z . of the new Supreme Grand Chapter , to which we cordially tender " health , peace , and goodwill , " and a prosperous and useful career .

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~ , ™ . . _ - IT appears , from the Reports which were presented at the The District G . r ' . . , . „ . _ Lodgeof Can- ( Quarterly Communication of the District Grand Lodge of terbury ( N . z . ) . Canterbury , New Zealand , on the 17 th January , that the position of the Craft in this part of our distant Colony , especially in matters

financial , is most satisfactory . According to the audited statement of account for 1888 , the year opened with a balance in bank of ^ 100 , and closed with one of £ iJ 0 , while the balance-sheet shows that , after making allowance for the proportions of moneys received and due to Grand Lodge and the Fund of Benevolence , but not yet appropriated , there remained to

the credit of the District Grand Lodge £ 825 , which included the balance of £ 170 as above from general account ; estimated value—after deducting 10 per cent , for depreciation of regalia and furniture—^ 182 ; fixed deposit , P . I . and L . Association , ^ 450 ; and cash at P . O . Sayings' Bank and interest accrued on deposit amounting together to £ 62 ios . As regards

the Fund of Benevolence , the credit to this is stated as amounting to £ 311 , and the DISTRICT GRAND MASTER took the ' opportunity afforded him by the presentation of the Report and balance-sheet , which furnished those particulars , to congratulate the members of the Board on the

successful manner in which they had administered the funds entrusted to their charge during the past year . We hope this District Grand Lodge will always be in a position to give as excellent an account of its proceedings as it has in this instance .

Consecration Of The Sir Charles Bright Chapter, No. 1793.

CONSECRATION OF THE SIR CHARLES BRIGHT CHAPTER , No . 1793 .

This chapter was consecrated at the Clarence Hotel , Teddington , in the Province of Middlesex , on the 14 th inst . The consecrating officers were Comps . Col . Sir Francis Burdett , Bart ., J . P ., P . Z ., P . G . S . ; Raymond H . Thrupp , P . Z ., P . G . S . B ., P . G . H ., as H . ; Rev . S . T . H . Saunders , P . P . G . J ., as J ., - and T . C . Walls , P . P . G . P . S ., as D . C . Comp . W . H . Lee , P . Z .,

P . G . S . E ., acted most ably as S . E . ( pro tern . ) The chapter having been opened , the founders , Comps . R . W . Forge , P . Z ., P . P . G . P . S ., M . E . Z . designate ; C . Stevens , M . E . Z . 1423 , P . P . G . Org ., Second Principal designate ; R . R . Collick , M . E . Z . 946 , Third Principal designate ; F . C . Austin , H . elect 177 ; H . Sapsworth , S . N . 94 6 ; E . Hopwood , P . Z ., P . P . G . S . B . ; A . J . R . Simmonds , P . S . 946 ; J . M . Marjason , and T . Covell , 946 , were arranged in order . Comp . Sir FRANCIS BURDETT having addressed the companions , the ceremony was proceeded with . Comp . the Rev . S . T . H . SAUNDERS , M . A ., delivered the following

oration ,: M . E . and Companions : From the earliest times it has been the custom amongst Freemasons , following the ancient example ol the sobmn dedication of the Temples of Solomon and Zerubbabel , to inaugurate a new lodge or chapter by a special ceremony of consecration , and , accordingly , to-day , vve are assembled here to erect the Sir Charles Bright Chapter with solemn rites of dedication . Will you pardon me , M . E ., if , in

mentioning the name the new chapter is to bear , 1 make , in passing a personal , allusion ? Many of you , companions , doubtless , knew our distinguished brother , Sir Charles Bright , well , and having learned to love him , have deeply felt his loss , and I , though I never had the privilege of knowing him personally , yet can claim a particular connection with him , which is shared also by Ex , Comp . H ., which makes his and my presence here on this auspicious occasion peculiarly appropriate . Ex . Comp . H . as a Governor ,

and I as a Master of Merchant Taylors' School—the school in which Sir Charles Bright vvas educated—cannot but feel a warm interest in a chapter which is to bear the honoured nam ; of an old Merchant Taylor . It is a name this chapter may rightly be proud of , and a Masonic Society does well to perpetuate and hand down to posterity the memory of a man of whom it can be said ( I quote from the journal of a learned society of which he was a member and

to which I belong ) " the works he accomplished bear evidence of his skilful handiwork , his initiative knowledge and unerring judgment , and , as the great fabric of the modern telegraph system rises and spreads throughout the world , its foundations and superstructure bear evidence of the vital part played by him in their construction and formation . " But I fear I have wandered from my text . M . E ., at your command , I am to deliver an oration " on the nature and purposes of the Order , " a subject so immense

that in the brief time at my disposal I cannot hope to do it full justice , but I may , by confining myself to a few salient points and availing myself of the earnest sympathy of my audience , bring some useful thoughts to mind . First , then , Freemasonry is a system of morality—by no means a religion ; and it is very important to remember this . But , though it is not a religion , Freemasonry is decidedly religious—its principles and precepts are most thoroughly in accord with religion ; but it goes not beyond principles

and precepts—illustrated and enforced , no doubt , by many noble examples , lt sets the precepts before us , and counsels us to obey them ; but it gives not the power to do so . And though in this exalted Degree vve are taught the weakness of human nature , and admonished that vve are unable of ourselves to help ourselves or to resist the powers of darkness , unless assisted by that help which comeih from above , yet the -way of life , the means of obtaining the strengthening power and mercy of the Most High are not

pointed out . I am not saying Freemasonry ought to take this ground , but I am urging the necessity , companions , of a recognition that Freemasonry does not bridge over the chasm which man's sin has placed between him and his Creator ; and that , therefore , it is needful tohave some religion beyond what we find in Freemasonry . But in the practice of our religion , Masonry , and in particular the Holy Royal Arch Degree , is a good Schoolmaster . It teaches us many use ' ul lessons—it sets before us many ennobling le

principles . For instance , in the exaltation ceremony , what a magnificent examp we have of religious earnestness and enthusiasm in the labours of the Sojourners—ho w clearly vve see in the arduous search made by them that religious activity and zeal will always mean much that is sorely trying to flesh and blood , and will always require unfailing perseverance—and then again , when we hear of their success , and see them receive the rewards due to their exertions , and remember that their task when

alloted to them was not considered one of dignity or importance , we -riy learn that our efforts , no matter how humble outwardly , and apparently insignificant , they may be , will , if they are prompted by true love to God and made for His honour ana glory , be crowned with success and rewarded with the approbation of the Mos t High "Well done , good and faithful servant ; thou hast been faithful over a few ^ hings ,, 1 will make thee ruler over manv things ; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord . _ y "

more , how admirably is the spirit of reverence for things sacred interwoven with al . ' , " . ceremonies of this Degree , so much so that the third Commandment may be sal ° . sum up its teachings— " Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain , for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain . " A most vaiu ""* testimony this in these days , when reverence , either for things human or for tn » divine , is fast tending to disappear . And vve ought , companions , as membeis ° Holy Royal Arch , not only in ourselves to abstain from , but also in others t ° ^"" tenance the use of , modes of speech and expletives which do violence to this sa ^ Commandment . Let us be true to our profession , ready to be made use of by tr , e • O . T . U . as He shall see good , thoroughly furnished with every good work , that w ¦ this earthly tabernacle shall be dissolved , we may be found to have obtained mercy , fit to be placed in the Heavenly Temple , where the Great Architect lives and reign * ever as the Eternal Grand Master .