 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lechmere-Hughes
Volunteer Royal Arch Chapter
|
| Month | Thu | Proposed Ceremonies For 2008-2009 |
| September | 25th | TBC |
| November | 27th | Installation |
| February | 26th | TBC |
| April | 23rd | TBC |
P.Z.s' and Officers Meetings
| Month | Thu | Meetings 2008-2009 |
| August | 28th | September meeting |
| October | 23th | November meeting |
| January | 22nd | February Meeting |
| March | 26th | April meeting |
Visitors
Visiting Companions can attend any of the meetings by contacting Excellent Companion Martin Preece the Scribe Ezra at least seven days prior to the date of the meeting you wish to attend.
The E-mail should contain the following information: -
|
Date
of the Chapter Convocation you wish to attend: |
History of Lechmere-Hughes Volunteer Royal Arch Chapter
The
Chapter was formed in 1918 at Moseley Masonic Hall, which in those
days was in Institute Road, Kings Heath, Birmingham. It originated
from Lechmere Volunteer Lodge and has always had strong connections
both with this and with Pro Patria Lodge many of its initiates,
or exaltees, coming from one of these two lodges.
Around the time that the Chapter was being formed, a very eminent
mason, John Albert Hughes, died and a way was sought to honour his
passing. As he had recently purchased the building at Institute
road to enable the lodges meeting there to continue to do so, it
was decided to include his name in the new Royal Arch Chapter being
formed there; after some discussion, permission for this was granted
and the present name of the Chapter was adopted.
The founders also decided that, like the Lodge from which it sprang,
the Chapter should have the requirement that all members were or
had been serving members of the Armed forces. As eventually happened
in the Craft Lodge, however, this requirement was dropped some years
ago. In common with all Royal Arch Chapters, new members must, of
course, have a been Master Mason for at least one month.
Students of history may be interested in a timeline
of the forming of the Chapter researched by E.Comp Martin Preece,
when preparing a history of the Chapter some years ago from letters
and documents in the Chapter Archives.
The Chapter continues to thrive and still holds four meetings, or
convocations, although now on the fourth Thursday of September,
November, February and April; the February meeting often incorporates
an informal evening which is well attended by our ladies and other
non-masonic guests. The membership currently stands at 30, but new
members are naturally always welcome.
Timeline of formation of the Chapter
16th
January 1918 At an Officers' meeting of Lechmere Volunteer Lodge,
W.Bro C. (Charlie) Eaton, W.M. announced that he had been invited
to lend his assistance to Campbell Lodge in founding a R.A.Chapter
to be called Campbell Chapter. The Brethren however preferred to
start their own Chapter and W.Bro Eaton decided to call a meeting
of all the Brethren and to invite the W.M. of Campbell to extend
a similar offer to him.
1st February 1918 A summons was issued to a special meeting at Imperial
Hotel to discuss the possible formation of a Chapter, which was
to meet in "the new premises at Institute Road".
4th February 1918 W.Bro (&E.Comp.)John Albert Hughes died.
8th February 1918 Extraordinary Meeting was held in Imperial Hotel
where all present voted in favour of a Chapter to be called "Lechmere
Volunteer Royal Arch Chapter" and a subcommittee was to be
formed under Comp.W.B.Hammond to organise the formation of the new
Chapter.
20th February 1918 Meeting held at Moseley and Balsall Heath Institute
to discuss formation of Chapter and also discuss a memorial to late
W.Bro John A.Hughes.
E.Comp.Eaton suggested the name "Hughes" be incorporated
in the name.
4th March 1918 Circular letter sent by Comp Hammond to all Brethren
of Lechmere Volunteer Lodge announcing the proposed formation of
a R.A.Chapter called Lechmere-Hughes Volunteer, to be consecrated
in September 1918.
22nd March 1918 Meeting at Imperial Hotel, chaired by Comp Hammond;
the founding principals of the new chapter were agreed on :-
E.Comp. Charlie D.Eaton P.G.A.D.C.- Most Excellent Zerubbabel,
E.Comp.Capt Geo.F.Bennett - Haggai
Comp William B.Hammond - Joshua
The Chapter bye-laws were to be initiated. Suggested Consecration
date now to be 3rd Thursday in October, further convocations to
be held on 3rd Thursdays of January, March and June
3rd April 1918 At regular Lodge meeting, a motion recommending the
signing of the petition for the formation of Lechmere-Hughes Chapter
was proposed and passed by the brethren.
3rd May 1918 Meeting in Imperial Hotel of founders of proposed Chapter.
Proposed to hold Convocations on fourth Thursdays of September,
November, February and June. E.Comp Joseph Hughes welcomed as a
new founder in office of I.P.Z. The remaining officers were also
announced.
22nd July 1918 C. Eaton letter
to Grand Scribe Ezra protesting at the latter's prohibition
of use of name "Hughes" as being at variance with name
of Lodge.
23rd July 1918 Grand Scribe Ezra reply
to C.Eaton suggesting a favourable response from Supreme Grand Chapter
might be forthcoming in Autumn.
Summer recess - no activity recorded.
30th October 1918 Meeting in Imperial Hotel of founders of proposed
Chapter; discussions took place regarding Officers collars and silver
jewels (to be engraved and presented to the Chapter by the Officers)
and founders jewels. Names of Founding Officers were finalised.
Annual subscription to be £ 2.2.0
1st November 1918 Petition receives approval from Reuben Gibbins
(1st Grand Principal?).
27th November 1918 Warrant despatched from Freemasons' Hall.
28th November 1918 Chapter Consecrated at Moseley Masonic Hall,
Institute Road, Kings Heath with E.Comp Wm. Waldron P.A.G.D.C.,
Provincial Grand Haggai presiding.
24th February 1921 First Exaltee from a Lodge other than Lechmere
Volunteer : Bro Arthur Fenn of Elkington Lodge No 1016 and Pro Patria
Lodge No 4144
History of Royal Arch Chapter
It is generally recognised that the Royal Arch was practised as part of the Third Degree for many years, and it was regarded by the Antients as a fourth degree, which they conferred in their own Lodges. The Moderns held a different view, as the degree was performed unofficially, without the sanction of the Premier Grand Lodge, which led to the formation of separate Royal Arch Chapters. In 1766, the Charter of Compact was signed, and with that, the Grand and Royal Chapter of the Royal Arch of Jerusalem was formed. This was the direct parent to the Supreme Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of today.
The Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch was declared to be a part of pure Antient Masonry by the solemn Act of Union between the two Grand Lodges in 1813. It is organised however as a separate Order, distinct from the Craft degrees to which it belongs and the teaching that it completes.
Membership is open to Freemasons of all faiths, who have been Master Masons for at least four weeks. They must be proposed, seconded and balloted for by the members of the Chapter to which they seek admission. The interval between becoming a Master Mason and his exaltation into a Chapter is however a matter for each individual, and will largely depend on his circumstances and readiness for its teachings. Early application however, ensures a greater opportunity to participate in the work and to understand its teachings. Members are known as “Companions”, and once Installed as a Principal in a Chapter, “Excellent Companions”
The word Companion is derived from two Latin terms "cum" meaning "with" in the sense of being together, and "panis" meaning "bread". Someone with whom you shared your bread was one who could be trusted with your life, and it suggests a higher affinity than that of a Brother. It is a particularly apt description of a member of the Royal Arch, who has a duty to support and encourage his Companions and attain a high standard of conduct in his personal life.
The Order of the Holy Royal Arch is said to be the completion of Craft Masonry because we complete the Master Mason's degree and recover what was missing from that ceremony. It has, however, a far deeper meaning. In the symbolic sense, the three Degrees correspond to our passage from darkness to light, our progress from ignorance to
knowledge and understanding, and loss with the promise of recovery. The Royal Arch is consequently an integral part of Craft Freemasonry because it completes the symbolism by making good the promise of recovery.
|
Chapter symbol |
Site created and maintained by
W. Bro T Dean
Letter
to E.Comp Colville Smith Grand Scribe Ezra, dated 22 July 1918
From W.Bro Charlie Eaton, WM Lechmere Volunteer Lodge
Transcribed by E.Comp. Martin Preece, Joshua 25th October 1998
Dear E.Comp Colville Smith,
Your letter July 19th re proposed "Lechmere Hughes Volunteer
Chapter"
I regret to learn from Comp W.B.Hammond, the acting Scribe E of
the proposed Chapter that the Committee do not see well to recommend
the issue of the Warrant under the proposed name.
This will be a great disappointment to the Companions promoting
the Chapter and I sincerely hope the Committee, notwithstanding
your letter, will see their way to meet their wishes, although they
are reluctantly agreeing to one of your suggestions as to names
rather than delay the issue of the warrant.
I would point out as reasons for reconsideration:-
1st E.Comp. J.A.Hughes died on 4th February 1918.
2nd E.Comp. Hughes was initiated in the Lechmere Lodge No 1874 in
1895, was WM in 1907 and Charity Steward from 1910 until death and
had only in 1917 completed his qualification as a Vice Patron in
the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution, being a Vice President
of the Boys & Girls Schools.
3rd He was of a very loveable disposition and held in the highest
esteem by his brethren in both Worcs & Warcs with whom he had
long been associated as a Volunteer Artilleryman.
4th When it was found necessary to take measures to provide the
Lodges meeting at Moseley (four) with a Masonic home, Bro Hughes
came forward and bought the property for the committee, shewing
his readiness to help any Masonic object.
5th The brethren have, since his death, shewn their esteem for him
by endowing the Chair of 1874 as a Vice Patron of the R.M.B.I. in
his memory.
6th They are further preparing to honour his memory by placing a
throne at a cost of £100 in the new lodge rooms.
Apart from this, Bro Hughes has been associated with the brethren
of 1874 in servicing and carrying since 1897 the Hertford Military
Mark Masters Lodge No 408 in which he occupied the chair in 1910
and was again in the chair at the time of his death. He also was
a Past Junior Warden in the Province of Warwick[shire] (Mark) and
G. Jnr Warden (?) of the Grand Mark Lodge of England and Preceptor
to the Warwickshire Mark Lodge of instruction from 1912 until his
death.
It is with the desire to honour his memory by linking it with the
name of the Lodge in the new Chapter that the brethren have been
activated. His death giving successful impetus to the movement which
had gone on for many years for the formation of the Chapter. I trust
the council will see their way to reconsider their decision and
recommend the suggested name.
Yours . . . . ,C.D.E.
P.S. W.Bro Hughes was a P.Z. of the Elkington Chapter No 1076 & a P.P.G.A.Soj. of the Warwickshire Prov.G.Chapter.
Letter
from P.Colville Smith Grand Scribe Ezra, Grand Secretary's office
To Comp C.Eaton dated 23 July 1918
Transcribed by E.Comp Martin Preece, Joshua. 24th October 1998
Dear Comp Eaton,
The petition of the proposed Chapter was marked :-
Lechmere- Hughes Chapter
not
Lechmere-Hughes Volunteer Chapter. Your letter rather puts a different
complexion on the suggested name, but I cannot of my own authority
approve of the latter title and as the committee does not meet again
till after the vacation, I think this must be deferred until then.
This really does not matter, does it? As by then you might have
a new P.G.Superintendent, who might wish to perform the Consecration.
In haste,
Yours fraternally,
P.Colville Smith
P.S.
If the petition is deferred till the Autumn, I think the matter
is more likely to go through