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So runs the preamble of the 100 years of Royal Arch Masonry in Victoria of the Melbourne Chapter, No. 8.
In 1884 a number of worthy Royal Arch Masons petitioned the Supreme Grand Chapter of England to be permitted to form a Chapter to be attached to the Melbourne Lodge, No. 747, E.C., and nominated Sir William J. Clarke to be the First Principal, Thomas H. Taaffe to be the Second Principal, and William F. Dixon to the Third Principal.
The petition was recommended and signed by the Wor. Master, Wardens and Secretary of the Melbourne Lodge, No. 747.
The petition having been granted by the Supreme Grand Chapter of England, at the Freemasons’ Hall, Lonsdale Street, Melbourne, the Melbourne Royal Arch Chapter, No. 747, was consecrated and has continued in active service for 100 years.
Minute books and appearance books, and the original Charter, are in the possession of the Scribe Ezra, and a reading of them brings much to our knowledge. It is recorded in the Minutes that the Foundation Warrant, which is exhibited tonight, was missing for very many years and was recovered in February, 1912.
The Chapter progressed from the beginning till 1887, when an appeal was made to Sir William Clarke for a donation to help keep the Chapter solvent. Sir William relieved the situation.
It is noted that, as was the custom in the early days, the Companions were not admitted until after the Chapter had been opened by the Principals only.
During 1887-88 several convocations lapsed for want of quorum.
It is noted that in 1886 the Melbourne Chapter transferred from the Freemasons’ Hall, Lonsdale Street, to 25 Collins Street, and in 1969 moved to the new Masonic Centre of Victoria, 300 Albert Street, East Melbourne, where it has ever since remained.
There is no record or reference whatever to the foundation of the Supreme Grand Chapter of Victoria in April, 1889, or to any part played by the Past Principals of the Melbourne Chapter.
About 1891 the number of the Chapter, 747, was changed to coincide with that of the Melbourne Lodge, No. 17, U.G.L.V. In our early days, all Chapters were attached to Craft Lodges.
One of our best-loved Companions, M.Em. Comp. Chas. Oakley, was exalted on 20th August, 1897. He eventually served the Chapter as Treasurer for 30 years, and was a member for 47 years. M.Em. Comp. William P. Bice was exalted in December, 1898.
In 1903 the re-allocation of the numbers in order of seniority by the Grand Chapter resulted in No. 8 being the number of the Melbourne Chapter.
In June, 1911, for the first time in the History of the Chapter, all Companions were permitted to be present to witness the opening ceremony.
In 1914 R.Em. Comp. Renard, whilst in London, purchased the Banners on behalf of the Chapter, and also a set of candlesticks which he presented, whilst the banner and Jewel were presented by V.Em. Comp. Richard Williams.
In 1914 a Companion, Thomas White, was exalted. Shortly afterwards he was granted leave of absence as he was going on active service. He was afterwards Sir Thomas White, for many years a Minister in the Federal Government, after being a prisoner of war in Asia Minor. Eventually he was High Commissioner in London.
During its career seven of its members have been First Grand Principals, nine Second Grand Principals, six Third Principals and one Grand Lecturer, whilst quite a number have served as Grand Masters in the Craft, some of the best remembered being Sir William Clarke, Lord Brassey, Sir Alexander Peacock, William P. Bice, Frederick T. Hickford, Frank E. Pettifer, Dr. Carty Salmon, Eric Hughes and Sir Robert J. Risson. Two of its members have been Governors of the State, Sir William Clarke and Lord Brassey. Sir Alexander Peacock was Premier of the State and Dr. C. Carty Salmon speaker of the Federal House of Representatives.
Another of our best-loved Companions, V.Em. Arthur J. Hopton, was exalted on 3rd October, 1919. He also served the Chapter as Treasurer for 13 years and was a member for 43 years, whilst on the 12th of August, 1921, a Dr. Leslie Walker was exalted into Royal Arch Freemasonry. During his 51 years of membership he revitalized the energy and interest of his Companions, thus meriting the title of R.Em. Companion of our Order. Eleven years later R.Em. Comp. Sam Horne was exalted and during his continuing membership managed the Chapter’s financial affairs as Treasurer for 24 years; not to be forgotten are V.Em. Comp. A. Duncan, M.Ex. Comp. E. M. Hutchinson, R.Em. Comp. J. S. Clements and Comp. A. Creed, who furnished delightful harmony for many years.
Three of its members have been the recipients of the Fifty Year Jewel. They are R.Em. Comp. Dr. L. Walker (1971), Comp. R.Hallam (1981), R.Em. Comp. S. J. Horne (1982).
World War II – Twelve members saw active service in either one of Australia’s Armed Services, three of whom made the supreme sacrifice for their country.
Chapter membership commenced with but a few Companions, there being only 12 names on the original petition. On 1st December, 1944, there were 93 members, on 12th December, 1969, 116 members, and at present 67 loyal and enthusiastic Companions. Membership peaked at 138 Companions in the early 1960s. over the period under review 388 Brethren were exalted, 38 affiliations were accepted, whilst 139 deaths were recorded and 225 resignations, etc., received. Two of its Companions held the important office of Grand Secretary of the U.G.L. of Freemasons of Victoria.
During its long history, the Melbourne Chapter has been well to the fore in its charitable activities. It gave handsomely to the Grand Lodge War Relief Fund, to the Shrine of Remembrance, and to the Relief of the Victims of the Bombing of London, and regularly sent parcels of food to the relief of English Brethren and Companions and backed the Appeal for Food originated by Companions of the Melbourne Chapter, resulting in over 100,000 pounds being raised in cash and kind.
In becoming a “correspondence” member of The Golden Jubilee Royal Arch Chapter of Research it led the way for other Victorian Chapters to contribute, financially, to its work. In this connection the Chapter pays tribute to the unstinted and untiring work performed by V.Em. Comp. Frederick V. Newell, G. Lecturer, in his research and dissemination of knowledge throughout Royal Arch Freemasonry.
We acknowledge a great debt we owe to our founders and our illustrious predecessors who have handed down to us a glorious heritage and it is our bounden duty not to fail them.
Finally, Companions, having completed our retrospect, let us look to the future with confidence born of the knowledge that the welfare of the Chapter is in good hands, and that our future rulers and officers are imbued with true Masonic spirit enabling them to sacrifice all striving for personal attainments, having implanted in them the desire to truly serve their fellow men with humility and devotion. Thus shall our Chapter continue down the dim years ahead, always progressing and ever remaining the medium whereby Companions may meet and bring to maturity the seeds of brotherly love which lie in the being of every one of us, develop the charity which is every man’s due, and enlarge his knowledge of the duty he owes to God, his neighbor, and himself. H.G.W. Eddison, P.G.S.N., Scribe Ezra. 14th December, 1984. |
