Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Brother Ellis's Sketch Of Paradise R.A. Chapter , Sheffield.
could confer , without any authority beyond " Ahiman Rezon , " and their warrants . The changes in the description of the chief officers favour the idea of there being more than one Chapter noted in the Records , though the Ghaptersmay lwebeen preservative of'R . A . Masonry by a successor
being ready to supply the vacancy caused by the retirement of the previous Chapter , and there is much in the Records to prove a neAv Chapter was formed A . D . 1797-8 . A warrant and expenses for robes , etc ., are mentioned October 28 th , 1798 and a
, subscription made of one guinea from each member to defray the same . Tho style of the Records also from 1783 to 1787 , ancl during 1788 , evidently points to two different Chapters , and the hiatus in the minutes after 1788 furnishes
another reason for believing that the Chapter of 1797 Avith its changed titles and customs Avas a new creation , and in all probability the beginning of the No .
Ill under the Supreme Grand and Royal Chapter of England . According to the minute of July 16 th , 1786 , tho Officers were chosen for six months . The laAvs of the regular Grand Chapter provided for their being elected for tAvelve months . *
At page 76 of the Records is a list of " Old Royal Arch Masons ( 10 ) before the present Constitution" whicliAve take toy mean prior to 1797 , Avhen the ordinar Roll of companions of the New chapter commenced , and which chapter of 1797
( circa ) has continued to the present day . Its name and number occur in the List of Chapters after the union of date 1823 , the number agreeing with that held by the Britannia Lodge , viz . 232 . Several of the minutes are exceedingly
curious , and it is a pity that several typographical blunders sadly interfere Avith their perspeeuity , and vfhieh it is very desirable to have corrected .
The Fee of five shillings and threepence paid for the degree of R . A . for several years from 1783 , proves the Chapter then was not under the regular Grand Chapter ( or " moderns" ) as its minimum fee was one guinea , and the Registration Fee five shillings from 1778 .
The early records read more like those of a Chapter under Ireland , and suggest the thought that a regiment , in Avhich was a Lodge hailing from that jurisdiction , was in Sheffield for some time ancl which Avorked the R . A , as recorded in the minutes from 1783 to 1788 . In that case the
" Ancients " would have assisted the members , as the seceders of England Avere on most friendly terms Avith the Grand Lodge of Ireland at that time , the both organizations being supposed to practise " Ancient Freemasonry , " ancl the regular Grand
Lodge from ivhom Avas derived all knowledge of masonic degrees , Avas declared to be " Modern " and untrusworthy . The Royal Arch of the last century had many additions of a fanciful character , mainly hoivever referring to the " Veils "
, the regular Grand Chapter not countenancing any but the degree of Royal Arch Masonry . The laAvs of 1782 provided that " according to ancient custom a com ^ plete Chapter of this supreme degree of Masonry consists of three Principals , who
when in chapter assembled are to be considered conjointly as the Master ; and each severally as a Master , two Scribes , three Sojourners and 72 others as Council . . . . . The three Principals and all Past Masters are styled Most Excellent , all other officers Excellent , and the rest Companions of the Order . "
Z . H . J . Avere the titles , as now , of the three chiefs , and not Kings , or High Priest and Kings , as in the Sheffield Royal Arch Records . During the latter part of last century , Chapters and Encampments were often held at which anything and everything were
given for a few shillings , and in many cases gratuitously on the candidate being a « good felloAV . " Doubtless several of the novelties practised in the Chapter were introduced by the " Mason of the World" the " worthy
, Companion Boyle . " The excellent Grand Masters mentioned under Minute July 16 th , 1788 , had reference of course to R . A . Officers , and represent offices since discarded . The three Principals of the regular Grand
Chapter Avere styled Grand Masters . The Scribes in the earl y history of R . A . Masonry frequently distinguished themselves by their conflicting descriptions of
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Brother Ellis's Sketch Of Paradise R.A. Chapter , Sheffield.
could confer , without any authority beyond " Ahiman Rezon , " and their warrants . The changes in the description of the chief officers favour the idea of there being more than one Chapter noted in the Records , though the Ghaptersmay lwebeen preservative of'R . A . Masonry by a successor
being ready to supply the vacancy caused by the retirement of the previous Chapter , and there is much in the Records to prove a neAv Chapter was formed A . D . 1797-8 . A warrant and expenses for robes , etc ., are mentioned October 28 th , 1798 and a
, subscription made of one guinea from each member to defray the same . Tho style of the Records also from 1783 to 1787 , ancl during 1788 , evidently points to two different Chapters , and the hiatus in the minutes after 1788 furnishes
another reason for believing that the Chapter of 1797 Avith its changed titles and customs Avas a new creation , and in all probability the beginning of the No .
Ill under the Supreme Grand and Royal Chapter of England . According to the minute of July 16 th , 1786 , tho Officers were chosen for six months . The laAvs of the regular Grand Chapter provided for their being elected for tAvelve months . *
At page 76 of the Records is a list of " Old Royal Arch Masons ( 10 ) before the present Constitution" whicliAve take toy mean prior to 1797 , Avhen the ordinar Roll of companions of the New chapter commenced , and which chapter of 1797
( circa ) has continued to the present day . Its name and number occur in the List of Chapters after the union of date 1823 , the number agreeing with that held by the Britannia Lodge , viz . 232 . Several of the minutes are exceedingly
curious , and it is a pity that several typographical blunders sadly interfere Avith their perspeeuity , and vfhieh it is very desirable to have corrected .
The Fee of five shillings and threepence paid for the degree of R . A . for several years from 1783 , proves the Chapter then was not under the regular Grand Chapter ( or " moderns" ) as its minimum fee was one guinea , and the Registration Fee five shillings from 1778 .
The early records read more like those of a Chapter under Ireland , and suggest the thought that a regiment , in Avhich was a Lodge hailing from that jurisdiction , was in Sheffield for some time ancl which Avorked the R . A , as recorded in the minutes from 1783 to 1788 . In that case the
" Ancients " would have assisted the members , as the seceders of England Avere on most friendly terms Avith the Grand Lodge of Ireland at that time , the both organizations being supposed to practise " Ancient Freemasonry , " ancl the regular Grand
Lodge from ivhom Avas derived all knowledge of masonic degrees , Avas declared to be " Modern " and untrusworthy . The Royal Arch of the last century had many additions of a fanciful character , mainly hoivever referring to the " Veils "
, the regular Grand Chapter not countenancing any but the degree of Royal Arch Masonry . The laAvs of 1782 provided that " according to ancient custom a com ^ plete Chapter of this supreme degree of Masonry consists of three Principals , who
when in chapter assembled are to be considered conjointly as the Master ; and each severally as a Master , two Scribes , three Sojourners and 72 others as Council . . . . . The three Principals and all Past Masters are styled Most Excellent , all other officers Excellent , and the rest Companions of the Order . "
Z . H . J . Avere the titles , as now , of the three chiefs , and not Kings , or High Priest and Kings , as in the Sheffield Royal Arch Records . During the latter part of last century , Chapters and Encampments were often held at which anything and everything were
given for a few shillings , and in many cases gratuitously on the candidate being a « good felloAV . " Doubtless several of the novelties practised in the Chapter were introduced by the " Mason of the World" the " worthy
, Companion Boyle . " The excellent Grand Masters mentioned under Minute July 16 th , 1788 , had reference of course to R . A . Officers , and represent offices since discarded . The three Principals of the regular Grand
Chapter Avere styled Grand Masters . The Scribes in the earl y history of R . A . Masonry frequently distinguished themselves by their conflicting descriptions of