158 TRANSMISSION OF THE TENETS. each other, meeting in the grand design of being happy and conferring happiness. Finally, my brethren, as this association has been formed and perfected in such unanimity and concord, in which we greatly rejoice, so may it long continue, and remain a monument of wisdom, strength, and beauty, which ages cannot wither, nor adversity decay. May you long enjoy every satisfaction and delight which disinterested friendship can afford may kindness and brotherly affection distinguish your conduct as men and Masons; within these peaceful walls may your children's children celebrate with joy and gratitude the annual recurrence of this auspicious solemnity; and may the tenets of our Order be transmitted through your Lodge from generation to generation.' CHAPTER XV. THE SUPREME ORDER OF THE HOLY ROYAL ARCH. "The philosophers (Pythagoreans) concealed their sentiments of the nature of things under the veil of divine allegories; lest, being accused of impiety by the priests (which often happened), they might be exposed, in their turn, to the hatred, if not to the fury, of the vulgar.'-TOLAND. THE 'Book of Constitutions,' at its outset, says, 'By the solemn act of union between the two Grand Lodges of Freemasons of England, in December, 1813, it was declared and pronounced that pure and ancient Masonry consists of three degrees, and no more, viz., those of the Entered Apprentice, the Fellow-Craft, and the Master Mason, including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch.' By this declaration the Royal Arch would appear, as we are told, to be only the completion of the Master Mason's Degree; and yet there is a different governing body in the Grand Chapter, another establishment beyond his Lodge into which the candidate must be admitted, different regalia, and another certificate. What the Royal Arch was at the period of this declaration it is not easy to decide, as we have seen five different rituals of various dates within the last century, and neither bears much resemblance to the present degree. The present ceremony was arranged by the Rev. Brother Adam Brown, at the instance of his late R. H. the Duke of Sussex, and the object the Grand Master had 162 CONSECRATION OF A CHAPTER. in view was effected, as every R. A. Mason will perceive when he has attained the rank of Past First Principal of a Chapter. Although by the Book of Constitutions' the Royal Arch is part and parcel of the Third Degree, the practice is, on the opening of a new Chapter, to use a ceremony of consecration somewhat similar to that of a Lodge. The following prayer and invocation may be adopted: 'Almighty Lord God of heaven and earth, who is there in heaven but Thee, and who on earth can stand in competition with Thee? Thy omniscient mind bringeth all things in review-past, present, and to come; Thine omnipotent arm directs the movements of the vast creation; Thine omnipresent eye pervades the secret recesses of every heart; Thy boundless beneficence supplies us with every comfort and enjoyment; and Thy unspeakable perfections and glory surpass the understandings of the children of men. So mote it be.' 'Our Father, who art in heaven, we invoke Thy benediction upon the purposes of our present assembly. Let this Chapter be established to Thine honour, let its officers be endowed with wisdom to direct, and fidelity to pursue, its truest interests; let its members be ever mindful of the duty they owe to their God, the obedience they owe to their superiors, the love they owe to their equals, and the good will they owe to all mankind; let this Chapter be consecrated to Thy glory, and its members ever exemplify their love to God by their beneficence to man. 'O Heavenly Father, teach us Thy judgments and Thy laws, and may the incense we put before Thee prove an acceptable sacrifice. 'To Thee whose temple is all space, In the preceding degrees we learn how Solomon built |