A 150 year celebration for Benevolent Royal Arch Chapter
Companions from across the Province gathered in Teignmouth of Friday the 27th October to celebrate the 150 year anniversary of the consecration of Benevolent Chapter 303. Visiting Companions were warmly welcomed by the Principals and members, and together we enjoyed a fantastic evening.
Benevolent Chapter has a rich history, and this was referenced by the Assistant Scribe Ezra, EComp Tucker as he read the minutes from 100 years ago.
The business of the evening commenced with E.Comp Christopher Roach, the MEGS presenting an explanation of the Grand Chapter Certificate to the Chapters newest members. In doing so he reminded us all of the significance of the Royal Arch in terms of pure and antient freemasonry, encouraging us to engage with our Brethren who are not yet Companions.
In recognition of the 150 year anniversary, The MEZ, EComp David Pendleton, presented the Chapter with a set of the “Five Platonic Bodies”. EComp Chris Taylor, PrGScrE then delivered a presentation on the bodies and reminding us of their antiquity in geometry. He then read a blessing to the Platonic Bodies dedicating them into the care of the Chapter.
EComp Chris Hodgson PrGReg delivered an oration to mark the occasion, (see below)
The rest of the business of the evening was then swiftly dealt with and the Companions present retired to dine on a superb Festive Board.
Many thanks must be recorded in the organisation of this auspicious occasion, notably the MEZ, his Director of Ceremonies, EComp Richards and Scribe E, EComp Millen. On this occasion though I must also mention a certain visitor, EComp Paul Hamilton, the MEZ of Newton Chapter. As a visitor Paul stood in as Asst Sojouner, he assisted with the raffle, and then he gave the response to the toast to the visitors. As a part of his response, he noted the 200th Anniversary meeting when, TTALGMH willing, he hoped to attend, BUT, as he would then be 87 years old he asked if he could do a little less work on that evening.
Congratulations to Benevolent Chapter on a truly fantastic evening and on reaching such a momentous Royal Arch milestone.
EComp Chris Hodgson PrGReg
Provincial Royal Arch Communications Officer
Oration
On Saturday the 3rd of November 1973 EComp JJL Gore, the then 3rd Provincial Grand Principal delivered the Centenary Oration for Benevolent Chapter 303.
He noted that a Centenary is a truly notable occasion, worthy of celebration and that over that time, “changes there have been and, moving forward, changes there will be”.
He also noted that “we can look back in gratitude to those who founded this Chapter, those who supported and nourished it in its early years, those who by their fidelity, and devotion have made it a strong and living Companionship”, and he asked the question, “can we have any confidence that Benevolent Chapter will exist for at least another hundred years?”
We are now a further 50 years on and much has, and indeed is still changing in 21st century Freemasonry, including the Royal Arch.
50 years ago EComp Gore waxed lyrical about the beauty of the Royal Arch, the depth of its teaching and the richness of its ritual, and this hasn’t changed! The Craft and the Arch are [I hope] coming closer together under the “One Organisation” banner championed by UGLE and SGC and together we can all support the next phase in the history of this Chapter, (and indeed all our Chapters), by encouraging those Brethren who are not yet Companions to take that fourth step in Pure and Antient Freemasonry and join with us in the Companionship of the Royal Arch.
EComp Gore also wrote in his oration that he believed that every Chapter where Companionship is strong and thriving should expect to continue to exist because the members are continuing that task represented in the Ceremony of Exaltation. He reminded those present that the Sojourners returned to Jerusalem to help in the rebuilding of the Temple to the honour and glory of the Most High and that although our ritual tells us about the beginning of the task, and the discovery which was made, it doesn’t tell us about the completion of the task.
In concluding his oration E.Comp Gore reminded those present that the continuation of the building of the Second Temple is the task of each and every Companion, and that the result will depend on how we use and interpret the material that is provided by our ritual and in the Companionship of the Royal Arch in general. He said that, “this Second Temple is a spiritual home, the Temple within ourselves, whose glory shall be greater than the glory of the former house”. These are sage words and are worthy of consideration in the context of freemasonry from Initiation to Exaltation.
In looking forward to the next 50 years, and the bi-centenary of the Benevolent Royal Arch Chapter, I am reminded of lines from the address to the Companions delivered at each and every Installation; “so firmly has the reputation of this Chapter been established by the industry and conduct of those Exalted into this Supreme Degree that, by your own proceedings, and those of your successors, ought to increase still further the luster of its good name”.
EComp Chris Hodgson PrGReg
Provincial Royal Arch Communications Officer