Note:  This material was scanned into text files for the sole purpose of convenient electronic research. This material is NOT intended as a reproduction of the original volumes. However close the material is to becoming a reproduced work, it should ONLY be regarded as a textual reference.  Scanned at Phoenixmasonry by Ralph W. Omholt, PM in May 2007.

HISTORY

OF THE

ANCIENT AND HONORABLE FRATERNITY OF

FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS,

AND CONCORDANT ORDERS.

Volume 2

 

Illustrated. 

WRITTEN BY A BOARD OF EDITORS:

HENRY LEONARD STILLSON, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF.

WILLIAM JAMES HUGHAN, EUROPEAN EDITOR.

 

BOSTON AND NEW YORK, U.S.A.:

THE FRATERNITY PUBLISHING COMPANY.

LONDON, ENGLAND:

GEORGE KENNING, 16 GREAT QUEEN STREET, EUROPEAN PUBLISHER,

1906

 

 

COPYRIGHT, 1890,

 

BY LEE C. HASCALL.

COPYRIGHT, REVISED EDITION, 1898,

BY LEE C. HASCALL.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

 

SOLD ONLY BY SUBSCRIPTION.

 

Northwood Press

J.S.Cushing & Co. - Berwick & Smith

Norwood Mass. U.S.A.

 

 

502 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY

 

The oldest existing lodge in the country is that of the |` Australian Social Mother," Sydney, New South Wales, which was chartered under English auspices in 1828, and whose members were granted the unusual privilege of wearing a special jubilee jewel, by that Grand Lodge, in 1878, on completion of fifty years of continuous existence. There is only one other lodge similarly distinguished, viz.: the "Harmonic, No. 356," St. Thomas' Island, W.I.

 

The first lodge warranted for South Australia, which is still as active and vigorous as ever, is the "Friendship," Adelaide, warranted in 1834. At the completion of its jubilee in 1884, Brother Philip Samson read an excellent sketch of its history, since amplified and printed in a neat volume. Its early doings, agreed to by the authorities, were particularly noteworthy, for the lodge met for regular business first of all in London, and initiated several gentlemen about to proceed to the Colony ; so that it was consecrated in the English Capital. Among the first initiates was Mr. (afterward Sir) R. D. Hanson, who, later on, was Attorney General, and Chief Justice, and Chancellor of the University of Adelaide.

 

New Zealand.‑Quite recently, by the premature action of certain brethren, the previous happy condition of the Craft has been sadly interfered with. It is to be hoped, however, that, as with New South Wales and Victoria, some means will be discovered whereby unity may be attained, and a governing body erected that will obtain the support of all the Fraternity.

 

A Grand Lodge was formed at Chrisl‑Church, with Brother Henry Thompson as Grand Master, on April 29, 189o ; but the promoters of this organization did not receive sufficient support to warrant them in such a course, and had they been content to delay such proceedings, it is quite probable that His Excellency the Earl of Onslow, would have consented to become Grand Master, and thus unite the whole body. In fact, his Lordship offered to accept that position, provided 120 out of 142 lodges would support the movement.

 

According to the official lists of lodges under the three Grand Lodges, there are 155 in the Colony, viz. : England, 87 ; Ireland, 15 ; and Scotland, 53ò Another difficulty has also arisen, and this the most serious of all, by the constitution of the " Lodge L'Amour de la Viriti," in Wellington, N.Z., by the Grand Orient of France ! The first Worshipful Master, mirabile dictu, is Sir Robert Stout, K. C. M. G., a Past Grand Officer of England, and D..D.‑. Provincial Grand Master of Otago and Southland ! Naturally his career will be ended as respects England, or regular Freemasonry anywhere, but it is a sad finish, and utterly inexplicable to the writer.

 

OTHER COUNTRIES.

 

NEW SOUTH WALES.

 

The United Grand Lodge of New South Wales.‑On December 23, 1877, the "Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of New South Wales," Australia, was formed at the city of Sydney, by the representatives of thirteen lodges, having a membership of 968. The Hon. James Squire Farnell was elected Grand Master, 1877‑84; and Nicholas Weekes, Grand Secretary, 1877‑87. The Hon. Dr. H. J. Tarrant was Grand Master, in 1884‑88.

 

It appears that a larger number of lodges would have been represented at the organization of the Grand Lodge but for certain mandatory official action adverse thereto.

 

In 1888 the number of lodges on its Registry had increased to fifty‑one, with a membership of 3792.

 

During these eleven years the Grand Lodge of New South Wales had been fraternally recognized by forty‑four sister Grand Dodges, and had interchanged Grand Representatives therewith ; and, in addition to its large outlays for benevolence, working expenses, the beginning of a Grand Lodge library, etc., it had erected a superb building containing a public hall, a Grand Lodge room, and private lodge rooms, library, supper, and secretarial rooms, at a cost of ú22,000 ($11o,ooo) ; and, in 1888, an addition thereto was built, at a cost of 28000 ($40,000), making a total cost of $150,000.

 

The Masonic Temple at Sydney, the Mother City of Australia and the Capital of New South Wales, "vies in beauty and completeness with almost any Masonic temple in the world"; and it has been truly said that "the founders and upbuilders " of the Grand Lodge of New South Wales might well feel proud of the result of their unselfish and beneficent labors ! During the years 1887‑88,‑chiefly through the laudable efforts of Grand Master Tarrant ; Past Grand Master Farnell ; Lord Carrington, Governor of New South Wales, and District Grand Master, R. E.; the late Earl of Carnarvon, Pro G. M. of England (then visiting Australia) ; Grand Master Chief Justice Way, of Adelaide, So. Australia; the Hon. W. H. Piggott, R. E. ; John Slade, W. H. Coffey, A. W. Manning, James Hunt, F. T. Humphreys, Thomas E. Spencer, T. F. de Courcey Browne, and others of like fraternal spirit and ability, ‑ the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales was happily formed in the Great Hall of the Sydney University, on August 16, 1888, by the union of the 51 lodges on the Registry of the Grand Lodge of New South Wales, the 55 lodges, R. S., and the 80 lodges, R. E., making a total of 186 lodges on the Registry of the United Grand Lodge, with a membership of about 1o,0oo.

 

Governor Lord Carrington was elected Grand Master. He appointed Past Grand Master Dr. H. J. Tarrant, Pro G. M. The other Grand Officers 503 504 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

were elected; and the Constitution of the United Grand Lodge of England, mutads mutandis, was adopted pro tempore.

 

On September x8, 1888, in the Exhibition building, Sydney, Lord Carrington, Grand Master‑elect, was installed in the presence of four thousand brethren, by Most Worshipful Chief Justice Way, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Victoria. The Grand Master having been seated in the `| Oriental Chair," the Installing Officer addressed him in most fitting and eloquent terms. The Pro Grand Master and Deputy Grand Master having been duly installed, the Grand Master invested the remaining Grand Lodge Officers with the jewels of their respective offices.

 

Among the distinguished brethren present, from other jurisdictions, were the Honorable John Douglass, District Grand Master, R. S., Queensland; Edmund MacDonnell, representative of the Provincial Grand Lodge, R. I., Queensland ; and James H. Cunningham, Grand Secretary, South Australia.

 

The following Grand Representatives near the Grand Lodge of New South Wales, having been duly presented to the Grand Master, tendered their hearty congratulations to him and to the United Grand Lodge: Most Worshipful H. J. Tarrant, South Australia and New Mexico; Right Worshipful Brothers Neitenstein, Washington; J. Hunt, Iowa; F. T. Humphreys, Spain; De Courcey Browne, Italy; I. Lee, Montana; J. Slade, Indian Territory; G. Larsen, Idaho; R. V. Gale, Colon and Cuba; M. Stephenson, Wyoming; J. F. Home, Roumania; J. Nobbs, Peru; W. Mason, Oregon; J. P. Howe, Alabama; A. Smith, Arkansas; J. Hurley, Maryland; R. C. Willis, Kansas; W. Cary, Ohio; D. J. Monk, Nevada; U. W. Carpenter, Michigan; and A. Henry, Victoria.

 

In 1888‑89 the Grand Lodges of England and Scotland, and other foreign Grand Lodges, extended fraternal recognition to the United Grand Lodge, making a total of fifty‑three Grand Lodges with whom Grand Representatives have been interchanged.

 

Finances. ‑In 1888‑89 the income of the United Grand Lodge, from all sources, including ,C.r5oo from the District Grand Lodge, R. E., and .6997 9s. 9d. from the District Grand Lodge, R. S., was ;6354o 19s. 6d. Outlays, ,'2683 r 7s. 9d. Balance in Treasury, X85 7 Is‑ 9d Of the Benevolent Fund the income was Z3224 ras. rid. Outlays for relief, X688 14s. 6d. Balance on deposit, Z2535 18s‑ 5d Steps are being taken to found a " Masonic Orphanage for Boys." The late District Grand Lodge, R. E., is establishing a " Masonic Cottage Hospital," open to all Freemasons; and the United Grand Lodge has a "Masonic Scholarship " in the Sydney University, transferred thereto by the District Grand Lodge, R. E.

 

The United Grand Lodge of New South Wales began its auspicious existence in the first year of the second century since the settlement of this, the parent Colony of the 11 Continent of Australia." May it flourish evermore 1 OTHER COUNTRIES.

 

505 1816‑1890. Reminiscences. ‑It appears that, in the year 1803, a person applied to the governor of New South Wales for permission to open a lodge of Freemasons. This was not granted. A lodge was, however, held; and on May 16th of that year the leading party thereto was, for the "irregularity," adjudged to a lengthened involuntary residence, with due physical exercise, in Van Diemen's Land ! In 1816‑17 ( ?) the 46th Regiment of Light Infantry, to which was attached the "Lodge of Social and Military Virtues, No. 227," R. L, arrived at Sydney. This famous old lodge, which was warranted May 4, 175 2, is now the " | Lodge of Antiquity," in the city of Montreal, Province of Quebec, Canada, and is No. i on the Registry of the Grand Lodge of Quebec.

 

As was its wont, wherever " the 46th " was stationed in the " four‑quarters " of the globe, " No. z 2 7," R. L, held meetings ; and did " good work " at the Capital of New South Wales.

 

On August 12, 1820(?), tie "Australian Social Mother Lodge, No. 260," R. I., was established at Sydney. On this memorable occasion the "famous Bible " [see Grand Lodge of Quebec], the working tools, and the regalia of " 22 7 " were used; and it is probable that most of " the work " was done by its officers and members, who had spread the light of Freemasonry in so many places throughout the world.

 

"No. 260, R. I.," the premier lodge of Australia, afterward became "Social Mother Lodge, No. 1," Registry of the Grand Lodge of New South Wales, and it is now No. 1 on the Registry of the United Grand Lodge.

 

On January 26, 1824, "Leinster‑Marine Lodge of Australia," R. L, was established at Sydney, and is now No. 2, Registry of the United Grand Lodge of New South Wales. Many eminent men have been " | made " in this lodge, among whom were the Hon. William Charles Wentworth, LL.D., the founder of "responsible government" in New South Wales, and Charles Farnell, the father of the Hon. James Squire Farnell, the first Grand Master, Grand Lodge of New South Wales. In 1825 an address was presented by this lodge to Sir Thomas Brisbane, on his arrival in the colony, and in 1838 Brother Rogers established the first " Lodge of Instruction " in Australia. In 1841 "LeinsterMarine " accepted an invitation to " dine " with " Lodge 548," R. E.

 

There is much of unusual historic interest connected with the foregoing and other early and later lodges, formerly on the Registries of England, Ireland, and Scotland, which it is hoped local lodge historians will soon give to the Masonic world.

 

In 1839 the Provincial, afterward District Grand Lodge, R. E., was formed; in 1855 the Provincial, afterward District Grand Lodge, R. S.; and in 1858 the Provincial Grand Lodge, Registry of Ireland.

 

In 1847 it was proposed to establish a "Grand Lodge of Australia." A meeting was held there anent, but no action was taken.

 

In 1855 a difficulty sprang up between the Irish and English "Constitu‑ 5o6 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

tions," in consequence of the former having extended fraternal recognition to " Lodge St. Andrew," R. S. This was shortly afterward amicably settled.

 

In 18 78 a " jubilee medal " was granted by the Grand Lodge of England to "Australia Lodge," chartered in 1828. This was the second of the only two such medals granted.

 

The three Provincial Grand Lodges of England, Scotland, and Ireland continued their work and governance, till the formation of the Grand Lodge of New South Wales, in 1877, upon whose Registry the lodges of Irish institution became enrolled. The English and Scottish District Grand Lodges continued till their union with the Grand Lodge of New South Wales, in the formation of the United Grand Lodge, in 1888.

 

Right Worshipful Brother Nicholas Weekes, G. S., 1877‑87, died June 9, 1887, somewhat over one year before the "blessed union." The labors of Brother Weekes, in the establishment and upbuilding of the Grand Lodge of New South Wales, can hardly be overestimated. A monument has been erected at his grave by the Grand Lodge ; and tablets in remembrance of him and of Right Worshipful Brother William Booth, P. D. D. G. M., R. E., have been placed in the walls of the Grand Lodge room in the Masonic Temple. The Masonic epitaph of Brother Weekes might appropriately be: " Si quceris monumentum, circumspice." Most Worshipful the Honorable James Squire Farnell, the first Grand Master, died August 21, 1888, just five days after "the union," whose consummation he had so devoutly desired. He was buried August 23d, when a "Lodge of Sorrow" was held, at which Most Worshipful Brother Tarrant, Pro G. M., presided.

 

Right Worshipful Brother John Starkey, G. T., the safe Keeper of the' Key of the " /" s. D." Box, and who so often made personal cash advances to meet the emergent requirements of Grand Lodge, has held that important office all but continuously since 1877‑89.

 

Early in 1889, the remaining "outstanding" lodge in the jurisdiction became of allegiance to the United Grand Lodge.

 

There is evidently a great future for the Craft, not Wales, but throughout the "Continent of Australasia." only in New South May the beams of the sun by day, and of the "Southern Cross" by night, ever auspiciously shine upon the Antipodean 11 Sons of Light." DIVISION XI.

 

tin Exhaustive Account of that Historic !fair in the United States, written from a Masonic Stand point.

 

Past Grand Master, M.‑. W.‑. Grand Lodge, State of New York.

 

CHAPTER I.

 

THE CIVIL, SOCIAL, AND MASONIC ASPECTS.

 

Introductory. ‑In presenting an account of the period known as the Anti‑Masonic tithes,‑embracing the years 1826 to 1845,‑we do not expect to offer anything new; but, as forming an important period in Masonic history, we shall endeavor to outline the facts. In this labor we have availed ourselves of the excellent account of Josiah H. Drummond, the exhaustive papers of Rob Morris, and other writers, who have investigated the matter thoroughly.

 

Up to the year 1826, the growth of the Fraternity had been very rapid; lodges were instituted without that regard for perpetuity and solidity which is a vital element in the welfare of an Institution of the character of ours. Not this alone, but there was, in our judgment, a laxity in regard to the material accepted, and while we had gained in numerical strength, its component parts were not properly assimilated, and at the first opposition the ranks were largely depleted in certain sections. This reverse was of such a character that it bid fair to destroy our Institution in this country.

 

Its effects were felt in the New England States, Pennsylvania, and more particularly in the State of New York, where the trouble arose.

 

In reviewing the history of those times, and weighing the cause, we cannot but conclude that, in a large degree, its effects were attributable to the lack of judgment and unnecessary alarm on the part of a few over‑zealous members of the Craft, which, combined with other causes, ‑notably of a political character, ‑fanned the flame into a raging fire. 507 508 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

The various accounts published at the time are necessarily colored by the interest of the writers, and even the light of the present day does not enable us to present much that is new.

 

The Account in Detail. ‑The originators of this scheme lived in Batavia, Genesee County, N.Y., and consisted of William Morgan and David C. Miller. Morgan was a man of no repute, of idle and dissipated habits, harassed by debt; his time was mostly spent in bar‑rooms, and without corroborative evidence no credence would be given to any statement made by him. In 1821 he was a brewer near York, Upper Canada; failing there he moved to Rochester and wrought at his trade, that of a stone‑mason; from thence he went to Batavia in 1823.

 

William L. Stone, author of the Anti‑Masonic letters to John Quincy Adams, says: ‑ " He had received a common school education; he was a hard drinker, and his nights and sometimes his days also were spent in tippling houses, while occasionally, to the still greater neglect of his family, he joined in the drunken carousals of the vilest and most worthless men, and his disposition was envious, malicious, and vindictive." Was Morgan a Mason?‑Where he received his degrees is not known; he claimed to have been made a Mason in Canada or some foreign country, and, having obtained the confidence of some of the Fraternity, he succeeded in entering the lodge at Batavia (Wells Lodge, No. 282, established in 1817), as a visitor. We doubt whether he ever lawfully received the "Blue" lodge degrees. Declaring upon oath that he had received the preceding six degrees in a regular manner, he was made a Royal Arch Mason in Western Star Chapter, No. 33, at LeRoy, N.Y., May 31, 18 Upon his removal to Batavia, it being in contemplation to establish a Royal Arch chapter at that place, in 1826, his name was attached to the first petition prepared for that purpose.

 

Afterward, some parties seeing his name attached to the petition, and being opposed to having so dissolute a person as a member, a new petition was substituted, leaving him out entirely. He subsequently applied to the chapter for affiliation and was rejected. This naturally had a tendency to irritate him considerably, and being unprincipled enough to do almost anything, he with his associates originated this scheme for the purpose of revenge, and also of realizing untold wealth.

 

Associated with him was David C. Miller, editor of the Republican Advocate, a weekly paper published in Batavia. He is said to have received the first degree in a lodge at Albany, N.Y., many years before, but owing to developments of his character, had never been advanced further.

 

His habits were in harmony with those of Morgan ; he was embarrassed financially, and in general disrepute. Undoubtedly the thought of the pecuniary gain which could be realized by a venture of this character was the inspiring motive of these two worthies.

 

THE MORGAN EXCITEMENT. 509 There had been intimations of this intended publication at different times, mostly by Morgan himself when under the influence of liquor, and also articles having reference thereto in Miller's weekly sheet ; but they attracted little attention, until, on the morning of a day in the summer of 1826, a group of men might have been seen in the bar‑room of a certain tavern in Batavia, who appeared greatly excited. One of them held in his hand a copy of the weekly paper edited by Miller, in which it was stated, "There will be issued from the press in this place, in a short time, a work of rare interest to the uninitiated, being an exposition of Ancient Craft Masonry, by one who has been a member of the Institution for years." Morgan's Book. ‑ Had Morgan been permitted to print the book without notice, the work would have fallen quietly from the press and died a natural death.

 

Masonry, like Christianity, must have her indiscreet champions.

 

Efforts were made to induce Morgan to suppress the publication, and while he professed to be willing to do so, and did in fact deliver up a part of the manuscript, it was found that the publication was being pushed by Miller as rapidly as possible.

 

Early in September, 1826, it became known that the work was already partially in print in Miller's office, and from the 8th to the 14th of September was a time ever to be remembered, not only in Central New York and in the immediate vicinity of where these events transpired, but also rendered memorable by the disastrous consequences of the proceedings then carried out, which were felt all over the Union, not only then but for some twenty years afterward.

 

A plan was set on foot by a few misled Masons to obtain possession of the manuscript at all hazards. On the night of the 8th of September a party of forty persons assembled with the object of sacking Miller's office ; but the better class of citizens, as well as Miller's friends, rallied to his support, and no such rash measures were undertaken.

 

Miller's office was discovered to be on fire on the loth of September; but the flames were speedily extinguished by means which were conveniently at hand, and the incendiaries escaped.

 

The freemen of that place offered a reward of one hundred dollars for the arrest and conviction of the incendiary.

 

Morgan's Arrest and Subsidiary Events. ‑ Some time previously, Morgan, while at Canandaigua, had borrowed, of a hotel‑keeper, wearing apparel which he promised to return. Having failed to do so, and probably for the purpose of intimidating him, a warrant was issued against him for larceny. He was arrested September 11th, and carried to Canandaigua by a posse, among whom were Nicholas G. Chesebro, Edward Sawyer, Loton Lawson and John Sheldon, and on the case being heard he was acquitted of felony, or the ground that he had borrowed the articles he was charged with stealink 510 COSMOPOLITAN FPEEMASONRY.

 

After his discharge he was arrested for a small debt due another hotel‑keeper, judgment confessed, and under the execution he was committed to jail.

 

Miller was also arrested and under a strong guard carried to LeRoy. The constable left Miller with the magistrate and went to find the plaintiff Daniel Johns; but, not returning at once, the magistrate discharged Miller, just as the constable was coming in ; the latter attempted to re‑arrest Miller, but he eluded the officer and returned home during the night. This Johns was said to have been a financial partner in the scheme, and desiring to get back the money (forty dollars), he had advanced, he sued out the warrant against Miller and had him arrested. To effect Morgan's release his wife went to Canandaigua and proposed to deliver up the manuscript, but was informed ‑ as she subsequently stated‑that the debt had been paid and Morgan released, but again re‑arrested and taken out of the State.

 

Upon her return she was accompanied by a leading Mason, and it was claimed that the assurance had been given that her husband was alive; that, while she might not see him for some time, she and her family would be provided for. Some days intervened, and no intelligence being received from Morgan, the friends of the family sent a special messenger to Canandaigua to make inquiries regarding him.

 

He reported that Morgan had been released from jail, on the evening of September 12 th, by the payment of the debt; that on leaving jail he was seized by Lawson and another, and in spite of cries of "murder" was dragged down the street; that standing by, but not interfering, were Chesebro and Sawyer one of whom picked up Morgan's hat which had fallen off‑Who followed the party down the street ; that a carriage at once followed them, and soon returned and was driven off toward Rochester, being empty when it went down and having several persons in it when it drove back; that it arrived at Rochester about daylight of the 13th and was driven three miles beyond, when the party alighted and the carriage returned ; that the driver stated the parties were all strangers to him, and that he did not notice any violence. While there was no positive proof that Morgan had been carried away, this report aroused the most intense excitement.

 

Reviewing the matter at this time, Morgan's seizure cannot be justified by legal, moral, or Masonic principles. The publicity of the transaction, however, precludes the idea that any personal harm was intended. Our own conviction is that, for a suitable compensation, he consented to go away, being fearful of subsequent outrage. He had lost the esteem of the community and the respect and confidence of Masons, and was without motive to return home. Documentary Evidence. ‑To substantiate this view, we learn that one of the party accompanying the constable had borne a letter to Morgan containing these propositions : ‑ (i) To separate him from David C. Miller. (z) To provide for his family.

 

THE MORGAN EXCITEMENT.

 

(3) To remove him to Canada.

 

(4) To place in his hand the sum of five hundred dollars in good money upon his arrival in Canada, on his pledge never to return.

 

This letter was conveyed to Morgan, and his acceptance thereof was privately made known to Nicholas G. Chesebro.

 

The beginning of public interest in the affair may be attributed in a great degree to the inflammatory hand‑bills which were issued and scattered broadcast. The following is a copy of one issued October 4, 1826, about three weeks after Morgan's disappearance, of which some 50,000 copies were circulated in Western New York: ‑ "To the Public: ‑On the 11th of September, William Morgan, a native of Virginia, who had for about three years past resided in this village, was, under pretext of a justice's warrant, hurried from his home and family and carried to Canandaigua. The same night he was examined on a charge of petit larceny and discharged by the justice. One of the persons who took him away immediately obtained a warrant against him in a civil suit for an alleged debt of two dollars, on which he was committed to the jail of Ontario County. On the night of September 12th he was released by a person pretending to be his friend, but directly in front of the jail, notwithstanding his cries of murder, he was gagged and secured and put into a carriage, and driving all night he was left, as the driver of the carriage says, at Hanford's Landing, about sunrise on the 13th, since which he has not been heard of.

 

"His distressed wife and two infant children are left dependent on charity for their sustenance. The circumstances of the transaction gives rise to the most violent fears that he has been murdered It is, however, hoped by his wife and friends that he may be now kept concealed and imprisoned in Canada. All persons who are NN‑illing to serve the cause of humanity, and assist to remove the distressed apprehensions of his unfortunate wife, are earnestly requested to communicate to one of the committee named below, directed to this place, any facts or circumstances which may have come to their knowledge and are calculated to lead to the discovery of his present residence or the particulars of his fate, if he has been murdered.

 

"Dated Batavia, October 4, 1826.

 

"N. B. ‑ It is hoped that printers throughout the State, in Canada, and elsewhere will give the above a few insertions and thus serve the cause of justice and humanity." Conventions and Public Meetings.‑This naturally added to the excitement. Conventions were held in adjacent counties, investigating committees appointed, and the indiscreet conduct of some Masons, together with remarks made, which were repeated with additions and embellishments, worked up the public mind to a high pitch of excitement and served to increase the feeling against the Fraternity.

 

Public meetings were held in Batavia, October 4th, to denounce the outrage and secure the punishment of those concerned in it. Prominent Masons took part in them and were the foremost in demanding an investigation.

 

The cry was raised that Morgan had been abducted and killed; that he had been traced to Fort Niagara, and taken out in a boat upon Lake Ontario and drowned.

 

All sorts of improbable stories were circulated, and one man said he knew Morgan had been killed because the carcass of a sturgeon, with Holyan's boots in it, had been washed ashore on the banks of the Niagara River, just below COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

the falls. (If so, no wonder the sturgeon died.) The effect of this excitement, although bad, would have been of short duration and its destructiveness limited, if it had not been taken advantage of by reckless and unscrupulous politicians to advance their interests for political and party purposes.

 

The consequence was that, while the great body of the Fraternity denounced the abduction, they were all equally assailed, and the Institution had to suffer for the foolishness and indiscretion of a few of its members.

 

Governmental Action. ‑ DeWitt Clinton, a distinguished and eminent Mason, was Governor of the State of New York at that time.

 

He issued a proclamation, October 7, 1826, enjoining upon all officers and ministers of justice in the State, and particularly in the county of Genesee, to pursue all proper and efficient measures for the apprehension of the offenders and the prevention of further outrages, etc. A second proclamation was issued on the 26th of October, offering a reward for the discovery and conviction of the offenders.

 

March iq, 1827, another proclamation with a reward of one thousand dollars and a free pardon to any one, who, " as accomplice or cooperator shall make a full discovery of the offender or offenders." These are among the public evidences of the desire of Governor Clinton to maintain the ascendency of the law.

 

Subsequent to the Disappearance, Trials, etc.‑The investigations of the committee, appointed at the Batavia meeting, showed that when the parties left the carriage beyond Rochester, on Wednesday morning, September 13th, they entered another and proceeded west by the way of Clarkson, Gaines, Lewiston, and so on to Fort Niagara, arriving there on the morning of the 14th, changes of horses being provided as if by arrangement.

 

A part of the journey Eli Bruce,‑ the sheriff of the county,‑was with them. Upon their arrival at Fort Niagara, the four occupants of the carriage ‑one of whom was Bruce‑left it, dismissed the driver, and proceeded toward the fort, which was about eighty rods distant.

 

This was the last that was seen of Morgan, as shown by the record before us; and what transpired afterward will be developed in our review of some of the trials arising therefrom.

 

Two Theories. ‑ From this affair can be deduced two theories: ‑ (i) That the arrest of Morgan was a blind to get him away from his friends in Batavia; that he was released from jail at Canandaigua under false pretences, conveyed by violence and against his will out of the country, and finally put to death by drowning or other violent means.

 

(2) That the whole transaction, commencing at Batavia and terminating upon Canadian soil, was undertaken and finished with the consent and cooperation of Morgan, and that no violence was at any time exercised or attempted upon him.

 

Upon the first theory, the Anti‑Masonic party was established, enlisting THE MORGAN EXCITEMENT.

 

513 among its leaders such men as Francis Granger, W. H. Seward, Thurlow Weed, M. Fillmore, Solomon Southwick, John C. Spencer, William Wirt, John Quincy Adams, William Slade, and others.

 

The second theory to our mind is much more in accord with the facts, and more likely to be the truth. It may not be amiss to mention here the following account, given at a subsequent period by Jeremiah Brown, who acted as driver of the coach a part of the way: ‑ " That Morgan went of his own free will and accord; he was going among old friends in Canada, where he could turn over a new leaf and begin life anew.

 

"On Saturday, September 16th, he was again taken across the river and committed to the care of two Canadian Masons. Morgan was paid the full sum of five hundred dollars, in good money, and he signed an 'undertaking' not to return to the States without written permission from John Whitney or N. G. Chesebro,‑or to leave Upper Canada." Rise of Anti‑Masonry.‑This occurrence naturally aroused the most bitter feeling against the Fraternity. Members were arrested on different charges growing out of these transactions, and suits were pending for years. Some were imprisoned, among the number Eli Bruce, of whom we shall speak hereafter. The last Canandaigua trial came off in May, 1831, and during the preceding four years there was at all times confined in the jail some one connected with this affair.

 

Bruce was immediately arrested on the charge of the abduction of Morgan, but was acquitted by the magistrate, because it could not be proven that any one was abducted, or that any force or violence had been exercised toward any person in the carriage.

 

Governor Clinton propounded a series of written interrogatories relative to his agency in the transaction, and on his refusal to answer issued a proclamation removing him from office.

 

In an interview which the sheriff sought, the Governor said: ‑ " Strong as is my attachment to you, I will, if you are guilty, exert myself to have you punished to the full extent of the law." And to show his opinion of the transaction, in a private letter, he says : ‑ " I have always condemned the abduction of Morgan, and have never spoken of the measure but as a most unwarrantable outrage and as deserving the most severe punishment:' Among those upon whom the utmost vials of the Anti‑Masonic wrath were poured was Eli Bruce, and inasmuch as the developments on the trial present to us occurrences after Morgan left the fort, we give full mention of the same. At the time of the events recorded here he held the position of High Sheriff of Niagara County, having been elected in 1825.

 

He was serving as Principal Sojourner in the Royal Arch chapter at Lewiston, and was also a member of the council of Royal and Select Masters at Lockport.

 

514 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

Early in 1827 he was arraigned before A. J. Henman, justice of the peace at Lockport, for assisting in the abduction of Morgan, but was acquitted. Complaint being made to Governor Clinton, he was summoned to Albany, to show cause why he should not be removed from office. His reply, by counsel, did not satisfy Governor Clinton, who required that he should prove his inno cence. He was tried before the Circuit Court of Ontario County, sitting at Canandaigua, August, 1828, upon two counts.

 

(1) For conspiracy to abduct Morgan. (2) For the abduction itself.

 

He was sentenced to twenty‑eight months' imprisonment. On appeal, the execution of the sentence was postponed until May 13, 1829, and he was imprisoned in Canandaigua jail May 20, 1829, and remained there until September 23, 1831.

 

From the evidence given at the trial, we gather that Bruce was informed that Morgan was coming voluntarily, and that he had been requested to prepare a cell for him in the jail at Lockport, to be occupied temporarily until he could be conveyed to Canada, said Morgan being desirous of severing his connection with Miller.

 

He declined at first to take any part in the proceedings, but finally consented. With his companions he crossed the river to Canada, having Morgan in the boat; but the expected arrangement for the reception of Morgan there had not been made, and it was thought best to wait a few days. Morgan was accordingly brought back to this side of the river and put in the magazine in Fort Niagara, to await the completion of the arrangements, which were to place him upon a farm in the interior of Canada. This occurred on the morning of the 14th of September.

 

Bruce testified that he had never seen Morgan since and did not know what became of him; further, that he always supposed Morgan went voluntarily. He was unaware of any force having been used, if indeed any had been.

 

Mr. Bruce, as a peace officer, burdened with public responsibility, should have declined to listen to any proposition to remove a man privately from the State, even if agreeable to the will of the man himself. It is impossible in an article of this nature to present a resume of the trials, and for our purpose it seems unnecessary.

 

In many instances they were largely influenced and biased by the spirit which prevailed at that time.

 

Ontario County was the theatre of the first judicial investigation, and November, 1826, two indictments were found against Loton Lawson, Nicholas G. Chesebro, Edward Sawyer, and a man by the name of John Sheldon : ‑, "(1) With conspiracy to seize and carry William Morgan from the jail to foreign parts, and there continually to secrete and imprison him. " (2) That on the evening of September 12th they did so seize him, etc., in pursuance of the conspiracy." THE MORGAN EXCITEMENT.

 

515 The trial was had at the Court of Oyer and Terminer held at Canandaigua, January 1, 1827. The three former plead guilty to both indictments, but it was adjudged that they could be sentenced only on one. ' Sheldon admitted the abduction, but denied that he was concerned in it; an alibi was proved by overwhelming evidence, but it did not avail, and he was found guilty. They were all sentenced to imprisonment in jail ; Lawson for two years, Chesebro for one year, Sheldon for three months, and Sawyer for one month.

 

Pro‑ress of Anti‑Masonry. ‑ Conventions followed the judicial investigations before referred to, self‑constituted parties travelled from place to place, and through their committees decided upon the guilt or innocence of suspected persons, and got up systematic prosecutions to force Masons to secede.

 

Freemasonry was more fiercely denounced than ever; the community was in a whirlpool of passion, and politicians came to the front and procured the passage at public meetings of resolutions against voting for Freemasons for any office whatever. It was voted to hear no Mason preach unless he boldly denounced Freemasonry as a bad institution. Masonic clergymen were dismissed from their charges, and Masonic meetings were to be prevented by force of arms. At a convention of delegates from several Baptist churches, held at LeRoy, N.Y., January, 1827, it was " Resolved, That all such members as belong to the Baptist Church, and who also belong to the Society of Freemasons, be requested to renounce publicly all communications with that Order, and if the request is not complied with in a reasonable time to excommunicate all those who neglect or refuse to do so." There was no perceptible abatement of the excitement; all kinds of stories were invented and circulated. A committee reported the "finding of blood in the magazine at Fort Niagara." Subsequently a member of the said committee authorized the statement "that no signs of blood, or any other probable evidences of the murder of Morgan, had been discovered at Fort Niagara." The excitement was greatly increased by the flight of Burrage Smith, John Whitney, and Colonel William King, who had been charged with participation in the abduction of Morgan. Colonel King ultimately returned of his own accord and surrendered himself for trial, but died before the trial came on. In May, 1829, John Whitney, who voluntarily returned from the South for that purpose, was tried. It was proved that Whitney was in Canandaigua, Tuesday, September 12, 1826, and at the chapter installation at Lewiston the ][4th, but that he did not accompany the steamboat party that night to Rochester. This seemed to connect him with the whole Morgan movement. He was declared guilty and sentenced to one year's imprisonment in the county jail. He entered the prison June 8, 1829, and was freed August 30, 1830.

 

Many persons were arrested and tried for participation in the affair, but they were acquitted on the ground that they only had been concerned in 516 COSMOPOLITAN FREEM.4SONRY.

 

carrying Morgan to jail, and that in his arrest they were protected by the warrant.

 

Governor Clinton's Letter. ‑Governor Clinton addressed letters to the governors of the two Canadas, requesting them to cause inquiry to be made respecting Morgan, as it was suspected he had been carried to one of their provinces. In his letter he says : ‑ " During the last year he [Morgan] put a manuscript into the hands of a printer at Batavia, purporting to be a promulgation of the secrets of Freemasonry. This was passed over by the great body of that Fraternity without notice and with silent contempt; but a few desperate fanatics engaged in a plan of carrying him off, and on the 12th of September last [x826] they took him from Canandaigua by force, as it is understood, and conveyed him to the Niagara River, from whence it is supposed that he was taken to His Britannic Majesty's dominions. Some of the offenders have been apprehended and punished, but no intelligence has been obtained respecting Morgan since his abduction." Government Action in ,Upper Canada." ‑In response to this communication, Sir Frederick Maitland, Lieutenant‑Governor of Upper Canada, issued the following proclamation: ‑ "ZSo REWARD.‑His Excellency the Lieutenant‑Governor, having received a communication from His Excellency the Governor of the State of New York, by which it appears that William Morgan, who some years ago exercised the calling of a brewer in this place, and who has recently resided at Canandaigua, in the State of New York, was some time in the last year conveyed by force from that place, and is supposed to be forcibly detained in some part of this Province; any person who may be able to offer any information respecting the said William Morgan, shall, upon communicating the same to the Private Secretary of His Excellency the Lieutenant‑Governor, receive the reward above offered.

 

"Government House, January 31, 1827." The Lewiston Convention. ‑ Conventions were held in different parts of the State of New York; and, at the one known as the Lewiston Convention (182 7), the following catalogue of the pretended discoveries was published : ‑ " (1) That the unhappy Morgan was taken to Newark, Upper Canada, gagged, bound, and blindfolded.

 

"(2) That he was there offered to the British Masons of that place, with a request that they should get him on board of a British Man‑of‑War or turn him over to Brandt the Indian Chief ‑and a Mason, to be executed zbith savage cruelly.

 

"(g)"that the Newark Lodge assembled on this proposition, and sent for Brandt who came accordingly.

 

"(4) Brandt proved himself too noble of nature to have anything to do with so cowardly, inhuman, and wicked a transaction. The savage hero disdained to do that which cowardly white monsters urged him to do.

 

"(5) The Newark Masons, thus rebuked by savage justicie and magnanimity, likewise finally declined to take charge of the miserable victim.

 

"(6) The diabolical wretches, who had him in custody, brought him back as far as Fort Niagara, and there murdered him in cold blood, cutting his throat from ear to ear, cutting out his tongue, and burying him in the sand, and concluding the hellish rites by sinking the body in the lake." These allegations do not harmonize well with the body discovered and identified as that of Morgan, alluded to in another part of this paper. Further, upon the above becoming known to Colonel Brandt‑who was a THE MORG.4N EXCITEMENT.

 

517 he, in a personal letter, denied the gentleman of standing in Upper Canadacharge as far as it referred to himself.

 

Newspaper Investigations.‑The Rutland (Vt.) Herald, after publishing the horrid stories related by members of the above convention, says: ‑ tragic tales.

 

"After all this, we confess we are among the number of unbelievers to these That Morgan was abused and carried off, we have no doubt; " But that he is now somewhere in the British Provinces, profiting and speculating by the repeated bloody recitals, by issuing edition after edition of his " Mysteries of Freemasonry Unveiled," accompanied with all these seeming barbarous and unrelenting cruelties, we have scarcely a doubt remaining.

 

"The probability after all is, that Morgan has voluntarily absented himself, and is continuing in seclusion with a view to promote the sale of his book, and that the excitement which has been raised about it has been created for political purposes." se Last Declaration of Governor Clinton.‑To show the malignity of the opposition, let me recite the fact that, at the death of Governor Clinton, which occurred in 1828, they went so far as to say that " stung with remorse for sanctioning Morgan's death, he had taken his own life." Against this accusation, we direct attention to his official action, and would also quote from his private letter to the Batavia Convention, under date of January 8, 1827, in which he says: ‑ " I am persuaded, however, that the body of Freemasons, so far from having any participation in this affair or giving any countenance to it, reprobate it as a most unjustifiable act, repugnant to the principles and abhorrent to the doctrines of the Fraternity. I know that Freemasonry, properly understood and faithfully attended to, is friendly to religion, morality, and good government. . . . It is no more responsible for the acts of unworthy members than any other institution or association." Masonic Aspect; Action Thereon. ‑ A careful examination shows that, at the time of Morgan's arrest, the Masons who had interested themselves in the matter supposed that they had secured enough of the manuscript to prevent Miller going on with the work, unless Morgan should replace what was missing. To make sure that Morgan would not do that, a plan was undoubtedly laid to get Morgan away from Miller; either to get him into Canada, and arrange for him to stay there, or else to send him out of the country on a sea voyage.

 

Quite a number were cognizant of the plan, and the leading spirits were John Whitney and Nicholas G. Chesebro, together with Colonel William King, Burrage Smith, Loton Lawson, and Eli Bruce; financial means were supplied for the purpose. We do not, however, find that an officer of any Grand body was connected therewith.

 

Of the fact that the scheme was a local arrangement, the action taken by the various Grand bodies, of which we have knowledge, is conclusive; and, to substantiate the position, it is only necessary to recite a few instances.

 

The Grand Chapter of New York.‑The committee appointed by the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the State of New York, on the 518 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

William Morgan affair, reported February q, 1827, being its first convocation after the occurrence, as follows: ‑ " That they had attended to the duties assigned them, and that from the highly agitated and inflamed state of public feeling on this subject, and from the false and undeserved imputations which have been thrown upon Freemasons and the Masonic Order generally, the committee deem it proper that this Grand Chapter should make a public expression of its sentiment in relation to the affair alluded to.

 

"' Your committee, as expressive of their views on the subject embraced in this report, would offer for the consideration of the Grand Chapter the following preamble and resolutions: ‑ "' ffhereas, The right of personal liberty and security are guaranteed by the free constitution under which we, the members of this Grand Chapter, in common with the rest of our fellowcitizens, have the happiness to live, and "' Whereas, We esteem the preservation of these rights of vital importance to the perpetuity and full enjoyment of the blessings of our republican institutions, and "' Whereas, The community has lately witnessed a violation of the same under the pretext of the Masonic name and sanction (in the case of William Morgan), and "` Whereas, The principles of our Ancient and Honorable Fraternity contain nothing which, in the slightest degree, justify or authorize such proceedings; but, on the contrary, do in all their tenets and ceremonies, encourage and inculcate a just submission to the laws, the enjoyment of equal rights by every individual, and a high and elevated spirit of personal as well as national ;independence; therefore be it "'"Resolved, By this Grand Chapter, that we, as members individually and as a body, do ,disclaim all knowledge and approbation of t'~c said proceedings, in relation to the abduction of the ,said William Morgan, and that we disapprove of the same, as a violation of the majesty of the law, and an infringement of the rights of personal liberty, secured to every citizen of our free and happy Republic.

 

"'Resolved, That the foregoing Preamble and Resolutions be adopted."' The Grand Lodge of New York. ‑Some Grand Lodges issued an appeal, and upon the question of the expediency of making an address to the public, etc., the Grand Lodge of the State of New York in 1831 adopted the following, which is the only action had in the premises: ‑ "Whereas, 1t is alleged that an outrage has been committed on the body of William Morgan, and "Whereas, Proceedings in consequence of such allegations have been made in courts of justice in relation to the subject, and "Whereas, By reason cffoul misrepresentation, an effort has been made to impress the public mind with an opinion, that the Grand Lodge and the Fraternity in general, have attempted to screen, if not protect the perpetrators of this alleged outrage; therefore be it "Resolved, That the Grand Secretary be instructed to ascertain from the public record a statement of the facts in relation to the persons said to have been Masons, charged and convicted of the abduction of Morgan, and report to this Grand Lodge at its next annual communication." In 1832 a supplemental report was adopted : ‑ " That participating with the members of this Grand Lodge, and the great body of the Masonic Fraternity, in a feeling of deep abhorrence of the outrage, which was a violation alike of Masonic obligation and the law of the land, they [the committee] have examined the papers submitted thereto with that attention which the importance of the subject demands.

 

"The voluminous nature of the papers presented and the shortness of the time have, however, prevented them from investigating the subject as fully as they would desire, and further time was asked in which to formulate a report." FREEMASONRY IN PRACTICE.

 

THE MORGAN EXCITEMENT.

 

521 Grand Lodge of Vermont. ‑Among the appeals issued against the AntiMasonic persecutions, we present the conclusion of that issued by the Grand Lodge of Vermont, October 7, 1829: " As Masons we hold ourselves guiltless, in any manner, of the shedding of human blood ‑ guiltless, in any manner, of conspiring against the liberties and privileges of the people, or endeavoring to monopolize an unequal portion of those privileges to ourselves, or to abridge the rights of others ‑guiltless, in any manner, of impeding, retarding or diverting the cause of justice ‑guiltless, in any manner, of an intrusion into the three great departments of our governmentguiltless, in any manner, of attempting to identify the subject with politics, or of making the latter a matter of discussion or remark‑guiltless, in any manner, of performing any rite, or doing any act, immoral or irreligious‑ and guiltless, in any manner, of entertaining the remotest suspicion that the life of a fellow‑being was subject to our control," Other Grand Lodges. ‑ From another we excerpt the following: ‑ " We claim of our fellow‑citizens the same rights enjoyed by other men, and no more. The constitution proscribes no man who well performs the duties of his citizenship. Disregarding this truly republican principle, the avowed design of Anti‑Masonry is a universal proscription of men, simply because they are Masons. Let a principle of this description once gain the ascendancy among us, let the passions become enlisted in it, and no man can foretell the desolation of the end.

 

"We deprecate all persecution, no matter what name it bears, or what garb it assumes. It is dangerous to society, dangerous to individuals, and is the tyrant's usual engine to destroy the great cause of liberty itself." Declaration by the Fraternity of Boston. ‑We have before us a Deelaration of the Freemasons of Boston and Vicinity, dated December 31, 1831, which so concisely and plainly presents the subject that the affecting nature of the appeal must have given it an immense power for good: ‑ " While the public mind remained in the high state of excitement, to which it had been carried by the partial and inflammatory representations of certain offences, committed by a few misguided members of the MASONIC INSTITUTION, in a sister State, it seemed to the undersigned (residents of Boston and vicinity), to be expedient to refrain from a public DECLARATION of their principles and engagements as MASONS. But believing the time now to be fully come, when their fellow‑citizens will receive with candor, if not with satisfaction, A SOLEMN AND UNEQUIVOCAL DENIAL OF THE ALLEGATIONS, which, during the last five years, in consequence of their connection with the MASONIC FRATERNITY, have been reiterated against them, they respectfully ask permission to invite attention to the subjoined "Whereas, it has been frequently asserted and published to the world, that in the several degrees of FREEMASONRY, as they are enforced in the United States, the candidate, in his initiation and subsequent advancement, binds himself by oath to sustain. his Masonic brethren in acts, which are at variance with the fundamental principles of morality, and incompatible with his duty as a good and faithful citizen, in justice therefore to themselves, and with a view to establish TRUTH and expose IMPOSITION, the undersigned, many of us the recipients of every degree of Freemasonry, known and acknowledged in this country, do most SOLEMNLY DENY the existence of any such obligations in the MASONIC INSTITUTION, as far as our knowledge respectively extends. And we as SOLEMNLY AVER that, no person is admitted to the Institution, without first being made acquainted with the nature of the obligations which he will be required to incur and assume.

 

"FREEMASONRY secures its members.in the freedom of thought and of speech, and permits each and every one to act according to the dictates of his own conscience in matters of religion, 522 COSMOPOLITAN TREEMASONRY.

 

and of his personal preferences in matters of politics; it neither knows, nor does it assume to inflict upon its erring members, however wide may be their aberration from duty, any penalties or punishments, other than those of ADMONITION, SUSPENSION and EXPULSION.

 

"The obligations of the Institution require of its members a strict obedience to the laws of God and Man. So far from being bound by any engagements inconsistent with the happiness and prosperity of the nation, every citizen who becomes a Mason, is doubly bound to be true to his GOD, to his COUNTRY and to his FELLOW MAN‑" In the language of the Ancient Constitutions of the Order, which are printed and open for public inspection, and which are used as text books in all the lodges, he is required to keep and obey the MORAL LAW; to be a quiet and peaceful citizen, true to his government and just to his country.

 

"MASONRY disdains the making of proselytes; she opens the portals of her asylum to those only who seek admission, with the recommendation of a character unspotted by immorality and vice. She simply requires of the candidate his assent to one great, fundamental, religious truth, ‑THE EtISTENCE AND PROVIDENCE Or GOD; and a practical acknowledgment of those infallible doctrines for the government of life, which are written by the finger of God on the heart of man.

 

"ENTERTAINING Such sentiments, as MASONS, as CITIZENS, as CHRISTIANS, and as MORAL MEN, and deeply impressed with the conviction that the MASONIC INSTITUTION has been, and may continue to be, productive of great good to their fellow‑men; and having 'received the laws of the society, and its accumulated funds, in sacred trust for charitable uses,' the undersigned can neither renounce nor abandon it.

 

"We most cordially unite with our brethen of Salem and vicinity, in the declaration and hope that, 'should the people of this country become so infatuated as to deprive Masons of their civil rights, in violation of their written constitutions, and the wholesome spirit of just laws and free governments, a vast majority of the Fraternity will still remain firm, confiding in God, and the rectitude of their intentions, for consolation, under the trials to which they may be exposed.' " To this were appended the signatures of 1469 Masons from fifty‑four towns and districts,‑Boston of course furnishing the largest number, 437;‑but all parts of the State were worthily represented.

 

Lodges and Chapters in New York. ‑ Action was taken by lodges and chapters in the various parts of the State of New York. All repudiated the act as an outrage upon public liberty, and a flagrant violation of the laws of the land. Without multiplying instances we append the action and resolutions adopted in Lyons Royal Arch Chapter, March 15, 182 7 : "Whereas, The abduction of William Morgan has given rise to much excitement in the public mind against the Fraternity of Freemasons, and as efforts have been made both in public newspapers and private circles to charge this outrage upon his person against the whole body of Masons as such, and " Whereas, Many pretend to believe and endeavor to inculcate that belief in others, that the Masonic Fraternity claims a right to inflict corporal punishment, and even to put to death such of its members as reveal its secrets or violate its laws; therefore "Resolved, That we declare unto the world, that Masons acknowledge no laws which contravene the Constitution and laws of their country, and that the Masonic Institution claims no right to inflict corporal or other punishment upon its members except suspension and expulsion, and that the exercise of any further or any greater power than this would be in violation of the most sacred principles of our Order.

 

"Resolved, That we view with deep regret the gross violation of the laws of our country and the rules and principles of Masonry, by members of our Institution in the late affair of William Morgan, and that we utterly disclaim all knowledge or participation whatever in the abduction of said Morgan, and that we will as Masons have no communication with those persons who were engaged in the perpetration of this outrage." THE MORGAN EXCITEMENT.

 

523 Many lodges surrendered their charters, the reason being given in one case (Ballston Spa, N.Y., 1828) : ‑ " It is, briefly, that the present state of public excitement on the subject of Masonry is such, that it produces discords in neighborhoods, and among members of the same family, and even in the Church of Christ, to allay or prevent which is one of the fundamental principles of our Order." The General Grand Royal Arch Chapter.‑The General Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the United States was in session in New York City during the week of Morgan's abduction, the session commencing on the 14th of September, 1826, and the following, which we find in Josiah H. Drummond's account of that period, is of interest : ‑ " Samuel L. Knapp, a member of the General Grand Chapter from Massachusetts, says that on the second day of the session, the presiding officer stated that a special communication had been received from the western part of New York, and suggested that it be referred to a committee without reading; this was done, Knapp being chairman of the committee. The committee found in their room a young man in a high state of excitement, who put into their hands some printed pages and a manuscript, stating that some of the Fraternity in his part of the country apprehended that mischief might arise from its publication. The committee heard his story, deliberated upon it, and returned the papers to the messenger without examination, telling him distinctly that it was a subject in which the General Grand Chapter could take no part; they made a verbal report, and it was accepted with few or no remarks, and without a dissenting voice. The General Grand High Priest (Clinton) was not present, and when he came in and was told what had been done, approved the course taken, saying that the body had nothing to do with the subject, and it was not worthy the notice of Masons. The messenger seemed disappointed, and hinted that the writer of the manuscript might at that tilhe be in prison for debt, but was told if that was so to go and raise the money among the Fraternity, pay the debt, and restore the manuscript." CHAPTER II.

 

POLITICAL ASPECT, EFFECT ON MASONIC BODIES, AND THE DEPORTATION OF WILLIAM MORGAN.

 

Political Aspect. ‑ One great factor which tendea to keep this excitement alive was the influence of politicians, who sought to use this as a lever to lift themselves into power. The election was approaching, and all manner of stories were put in circulation and printed by the Anti‑Masonic papers, a a large number of which had sprung into existence. Prominent among them may be noted Miller's Republican Advocate, Southwick's Observer, Stone's 524 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

Spectator, Ward's Anti‑Masonic Quarterly Review, and the Albany Evening .journal, which last was established in the winter of 1830, under the editorial management of Thurlow Weed, then a member of the legislature from the county of Monroe.

 

It is said that in 1830 there were more than one hundred and thirty AntiMasonic papers in existence ‑ principally in New York and Pennsylvania ‑ and their violence and bitterness surpass description.

 

As an illustration, we present the following from Southwick's Observer: ‑ "Freemasonry is the step that leads down to the dark gates of hell‑the paths of perditionconclaves of corruption and licentiousness‑protection of fraud and villainy‑the genuine academies of tippling‑manufactories for noodles," etc.

 

Among the choice epithets given to the Craft were the following: ‑ " Banditti brethren ‑ vile impostors ‑ hypocrites ‑ time‑fuddlers ‑ sharpers ‑ knaves ‑ noodles ‑ fools ‑ blackguards ‑ drunkards ‑ gullies ‑ impostors ‑ dumpling‑heads ‑ nincum= poops‑blockheads," etc.

 

The above are fair samples from the newspapers of those days, and we wonder at the effrontery and knavishness of the writers, as well as the credulity of the believers.

 

The Anti‑Masonic party had grown rapidly in New York and adjacent States ; it soon became thoroughly political, and no opportunity was lost for furthering its ends. They murmured against Governor Clinton. He had, to be sure, removed Eli Bruce from his office as sheriff, but not as promptly as they desired. To show to what ends they descended, and with what avidity everything was accepted. which harmonized with their desires, we direct attention to the following incident : ‑ The (Alleged) Body of Morgan.‑The body of a drowned man was found October 7, 1827, on the beach at Oak Orchard Harbor, about forty miles from Niagara. An inquest was held on the body of the stranger, and "accidental death" was the verdict of the coroner's jury.

 

From the description of the body, as elucidated at the inquest, note the following: ‑ "Length of corpse, 5 feet io inches. No scars noticeable in the condition of the flesh. A man about forty‑six years of age. Remains of heavy whiskers and thick hair over the head. Teeth sound, and nothing remarkable about them.

 

"The two Potters, who first discovered the body, and were well acquainted with William Morgan, testified that the corpse had no resemblance by which they should recognize Morgan.

 

"Clothing, etc., fully described. In one of the pockets a package of religious tracts," etc.

 

The body ‑ badly decayed ‑ was buried with all convenient speed, but it was not destined to remain undisturbed ; for, on the facts of the inquest being published, a party consisting of Thurlow Weed, Russel Dyer, David C. Miller, and a number of Batavia people met at Oak Orchard, Saturday, October 13, 1827, repaired to the grave, had the body disinterred, taken to Carlton, and examined.

 

THE MORGAN EXCITEMENT.

 

525 Another inquest was held on the Monday following, and the description is, in some particulars, different from the first : ‑ " The head was now so nearly bald that only a few stray tufts of hair could be seen. The bunch of whiskers had disappeared. The cavities of the ears and nostrils were ingeniously adorned with long white hairs." At the second examination, three parties who saw the body at its first discovery, and testified at the first inquest, were not sworn.

 

The assertion was made that it was Morgan's body, and that it had been hastily buried to prevent identification. To be sure, if we were to believe the stories then in circulation, " Morgan had been dead some thirteen months," and the physical impossibility of an identification after that length of time was treated as of no account. It was announced all over the country that " Morgan's body had been found"; and, at the second inquest, Mrs. Morgan and other witnesses were examined, and they itientiXerl the body.

 

It is said that Mrs. Morgan was so wrought upon that she thought it might be Morgan, yet she admitted that she could see no resemblance.

 

A dentist who had extracted two of Morgan's teeth, produced them and declared that they fitted into a place on the same side of the mouth where the deceased had lost two teeth. Certainly it was a very accommodating body.

 

It is true that not a single article of clothing upon the body had ever belonged to Morgan or had been worn by him; nor was there anything upon or about the body which could be traced back to Morgan. This was, however, ignored, it being said that the change of clothing was a trick of the Masons.

 

The body was officially declared by the inquest to be that of William Morgan. It is evident, however, that the more intelligent were not prepared to wholly accept the statement; and a distinguished politician ‑ Thurlow Weed ‑ (who probably knew) is said to have remarked, "It's a goon' enough Morgan till after election." The funeral followed, the body being removed, October 1q, 1827, with much parade, to Batavia, creating a great sensation. The air actually rang with imprecations, not only upon the murderers of Morgan, but upon the whole Fraternity, all of whom were charged with being accessory to his murder.

 

The cry of vengeance was wafted on every breeze. After the funeral came hand‑bills, addresses, and appeals to the worst passions of the people.

 

But this body was not destined to rest, and when the account of the above proceedings was published, it directed attention to the disappearance of one Timothy Monro, of the township of Clark, Upper Canada, who left that place in a boat September 24th for Newark (or Fort George), on the American shore, and who while returning was upset and drowned.

 

Accordingly the widow and other friends came on, and another inquest was held at Batavia, October 26, 18 ; and the result of legal and formal investigation demonstrated conclusively that it was the body of Timothy 526 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

Monro, "who was drowned in the Niagara River on the 26th of September, 18272' The body was taken to Canada and buried. The evidence adduced at the last inquest presented facts which proved conclusively that it could not have been the body of Morgan. From the material differences, the conclusion is inevitable that the second inquest was largely biased in one direction,‑the interest of certain parties being to establish, at all hazards, the identification of Morgan. A body was needed for political purposes, the comedy was arranged, and Timothy Monro made a " good enough Morgan until after election." Thurlow Weed, who took an active and efficient part in smothering the truth, was accused of having shaved and stripped off the hair and whiskers of the body found in Carlton, in order that it might resemble Morgan.

 

Thurlow Weed's Last Fulmination.‑We should not feel justified in making this personal allusion, but that, within a few years, we find an article from his pen, published in the daily press, alluding to those times and reiterating the old story.

 

In a letter dated and published September q, 1882, he gives the following, claiming that it was detailed to him by John Whitney, while at his house in 1831, and promulgates it as the history of Morgan's abduction and fate: ‑ " The idea of suppressing Morgan's intended exposure of the secrets of Masonry was first suggested by a man by the name of Johns. It was discussed in lodges at Batavia, LeRoy, and Rochester. Johns suggested that Morgan should be separated from Miller and placed on a farm in Canada West. For this purpose he was taken to Niagara and placed in the magazine of the fort until arrangements for settling him in Canada were completed; but the Canadian Masons disappointed them.

 

"After several meetings of the lodge in Canada, opposite Fort Niagara, a refusal to have anything to do with Morgan left his 'kidnappers' greatly perplexed.

 

"Opportunely a Royal Arch Chapter was installed at Lewiston. The occasion brought a large number of enthusiastic Masons together. 'After labor,' in Masonic language, they 'retired to refreshment' Under the exhilaration of champagne and other viands, the chaplain (;ev. 1. H. Cummings of Rochester) was called on for a toast.

 

"He responded with peculiar emphasis and in the language of their ritual, ' The enemies of our Order, may they find a grave six feet deep, six feet long, and six feet due east and west.' " Immediately after that toast, which was received with great enthusiasm, Col. William King, an officer in our war of 1812, and then a member of the assembly from Niagara County, called Whitney of Rochester, Howard of Buffalo, Chubbuck of Lewiston, and Garside of Canada, out of the room, and into a carriage furnished by Major Barton. They were driven to Fort Niagara, repaired to the magazine, and informed Morgan that the arrangements for sending him to Canada were completed, and that his family would soon follow him.

 

"Morgan received the information cheerfully, and walked with supposed friends to the boat, which was rowed to the mouth of the river, where a rope was wound around his body, to each end of which a sinker was attached. Morgan was then thrown overboard." In continuing the narrative, Weed says : ‑ "Of course a secret thus confided to me (7) was inviolably kept; and twenty‑nine years afterward, while attending a National Republican Convention at Chicago, John Whitney, who then resided there, called to say that he wanted me to write out what he had once told me was Mor THE MORGAN EXCITEMENT.

 

527 gan's fate, to be signed by him in the presence of witnesses, to be sealed up, and published after his death.

 

"I promised to do so before leaving Chicago, but there was no time for it, and in the excitement of the canvass I neglected the important duty of securing the confession Whitney was anxious to make.

 

"In 1861 1 went to Europe, and while in London, wrote a letter to Whitney, asking him to get Alex. B. Williams, then a resident of Chicago, to do what I had so unpardonably neglected. That letter reached Chicago one week after Whitney's death, closing the last and only chance for the revelation of that important event." ' We are at a loss to understand why these charges should be made at this late date. The story is improbable on its face, and we have no hesitancy in saying that if the opportunity had ever been afforded Mr. Weed to obtain any such confession, the " excitement of no campaign " would have allowed him to miss the opportunity.

 

We have only to say that if the facts ( ?) as stated above are no more correct than those given as an excuse for not securing the said revelation, we hardly think much credence can be given them.

 

John Whitney's Version.‑The facts are that John Whitney did not die until May,3, z86q; and, furthermore, the testimony of one who was present at the interview mentioned by Weed as occurring in Chicago, is to the effect that the affair was in every sense different from the account given by Weed: ‑ "Whitney accosted Weed with the query: 'What are you lying about me so for? What are all these stories you are telling about me and Morgan ?' Weed endeavored to quiet him, begging him not to be angry, and assured him he was only using the stories for political effect. But Whitney insisted that they should be stopped, nor would he desist until Weed bad promised to say no more about the matter." Mr. Weed also reiterates the old story, which was a part of the declaration of the Lewiston Convention of 1827, of a toast said to have been offered by Rev. Francis H. Cummings. That charge has been denied repeatedly. Rev. Bro. Cummings was a settled clergyman, of the Protestant Episcopal Church, at Rochester, and regarded as one of the most respectable of his profession. It was without doubt one of the Anti‑Masonic slanders of that time. In the present instance it seems the old feeling was not yet dead.

 

The Anti‑Masonic Political Party.‑At the spring elections of 1827, Freemasons were proscribed simply because they were Freemasons, the movement in this respect being nearly simultaneous in Genesee and Monroe counties. In the fall, the Anti‑Masonic party took the field, having as its aim the destruction of Freemasonry through the instrumentality of the ballot box. The first nomination was George A. S. Crooker as Senator for the 8th Senatorial District; but he was defeated. The party carried Genesee, Monroe, Livingston, and Niagara counties, in the face of both the other parties.

 

In 1828 the first General convention was held at LeRoy, composed of delegates from twelve of the Western counties, and at the State convention, held at Utica, in August, Solomon Southwick of Albany received the nomination for Governor of New York State. The total vote was 33,345, and, 528 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

although defeated, yet in the more radical counties he received a large vote‑in that of Genesee, 4794 In 1829 they elected Albert H. Tracy Senator for the 8th District, by a majority of about 8ooo votes; and at the State election the same year they carried the counties of Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, Livingston,. Monroe, Alleghany, Cattaraugus, Chautauque, Steuben, Ontario, Wayne, Yates, Seneca, and Washington, and polled about 67,000 votes.

 

At the Anti‑Masonic convention, held at Utica, August, 7830, forty‑eight counties were represented by 104 delegates. Francis Granger, a prominent member of the Anti‑ 3‑rasonic party, received the nomination for Governor, polled 120,361 votes, but was defeated. He also received the nomination in 1832, and was again defeated,‑his vote was 156,672.

 

The Votes Polled. ‑As illustrative of the growth of the Anti‑Masonic party we give the vote in New York State: ‑ In 1828, 33,345 ; 1829, 68,613 ; 1830, Io6,o8I ; 1831, 98,847 ; 1832, 156,672. In 1833 its estimated strength in the United States was 340,800. It had its most rapid growth in the State of New York, and attained such prominence that, in 1832, it actually carried the State of Vermont in favor of its candidate for President. In Maine, the Anti‑Masonic count in 1831 was 869 votes, in 1832, 2384 votes, and in 1833, 1670 votes, and that was the end of the party.

 

The Philadelphia Convention of 1830.‑At the proceedings of the AntiMasonic convention, held at Philadelphia, September II, 1830, an address was adopted upon the report of a committee, of whom Myron Holley of New York was chairman, reciting the fact "that Morgan was foully murdered, pretends to rehearse the several obligations of Freemasonry, and demands the suppression of the Institution." A few excerpts will suffice to show its spirit : ‑ "To this government Freemasonry is wholly opposed. It requires unresisting submission to its own authority in contempt of public opinion, the claims of conscience, and the rights of private judgment. It would dam up the majestic currents of improving thought, among all its subjects throughout the earth, by restricting beneficial communication. In attempting to do this it has stained our country with a brother's blood, tempted many of our influential citizens into the most degraded forms of falsehood, and burst away with its powers undiminished, its vengeance provoked, and its pollution manifest, from the strong arm of retributive justice. The means of overthrowing Freemasonry cannot be found in any, or in all, of our executive authorities. They cannot be found in our judicial establishments.

 

"The only adequate corrective of Freemasonry‑that prolific source of the worst abuses‑is to be found in the right of election, and to this we must resort.

 

"There is therefore no impropriety in resorting to the elective franchise to correct the evils of Freemasonry.

 

"It, Freemasonry, ought to be abolished; it should certainly be so abolished as to prevent its restoration. No means of doing this can be conceived so competent as those furnished by the ballot‑boxes.

 

The Last National Convention. ‑In 1836 the Anti‑Masons held their last National convention, at Philadelphia, and nominated Gen. William H.

 

THE MORGAN EXCITEMENT.

 

529 Harrison for President, and Francis Granger for Vice‑President. Practically, its influence as a factor in politics ended about this time.

 

This country has seen fierce and bitter political contests, but no other has approached in intensity those of the Anti‑Masonic times. None but those who witnessed it can justly appreciate the condition of things at that time, and to what extent feeling was carried.

 

One writer describes it : ‑ "That fearful excitement which swept over our land like a moral pestilence; which confounded the innocent with the guilty; which entered even the temple of God; which distracted and divided churches; which sundered the nearest ties of social life; which set father against son and son against the father; arrayed the wife against her own husband; and, in short, wherever its baleful influences were most felt, deprived men of all those comforts and enjoyments which render life to us a blessing." Desperate attempts were made to take away chartered rights from Masonic corporations, and to pass laws that should prevent Masons from meeting and practising their ceremonies.

 

Effect on Masonic Bodies, Localities, etc. ‑Although the events described happened in the State of New York, the excitement was not confined to it, and while raging with more violence in some sections than others, its effects were felt all over the country.

 

The Grand bodies generally (as has been stated), passed temperate resolutions, disclaiming all connection or sympathy with the outrage.

 

There is no question but that the very general practice of giving credit for degrees, which prevailed from 1820 to 1826, led very many to repudiate their debts and vows together, as soon as the public mind against Masonry was sufficiently excited to enable them to do so with impunity. At that time it became a question of consideration among adhering Masons, what course, under existing circumstances, it was expedient for them to pursue.

 

A great many of those who were warmly attached to the Institution were of the opinion that it was advisable to yield, for a time at least, to the storm, and close their work and surrender their charters. This opinion was extensively acted upon.

 

No conciliatory course was of any avail to stay the storm, and naturally the growth and progress of the Institution suffered to a great extent. ' In some States the Grand bodies suspended their meetings for years; but in every jurisdiction were to be found some faithful brethren who maintained faith in the ultimate result, and kept alive the Masonic fire upon the altar.

 

In Vermont' not a single lodge continued its work.

 

i [This is the statement of Records G. L. Vermont, 1794‑x846, compiled by Bro. George F. Koon (printed in 1879) ; also, Proc. G. L. Canada, 1857, p. 125; et n1., but in Drummond's Am. App. Yorston & Co.'s edition of Gould's Hist., Vol. IV. PP, 455, 456, it is said: That at the meeting of the Grand Lodge of Vermont in 1834, only seven lodges were represented; that in 1836, Grand Master Haswell, the Grand Secretary, and the Grand Treasurer were empowered to meet every two years, and adjourn the Grand Lodge (three being a quorum), biennially or oftener; that this was done during the years 1837, 1838, 1840, 1842, and 1844; that in 1845 these grand officers took counsel to"resume labor"; that various constituent lodges also "resumed labor," as if commuai 530 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

In Maine the Grand Lodge failed to meet for several years, and had merely nominal meetings in others. The Grand Lodge from 1834 t0 1843 met annually, but once without a representative from a single lodge, and had representatives but twice during that time from more than four lodges. Indeed, almost all the lodges suspended their meetings and became dormant, even if they did not surrender their charters.

 

In New Jersey, where gatherings at the Grand Lodge in 1824 and 1825 embraced the representatives of from 22 to 33 subordinate lodges, after passing through the dark valley of persecution these were reduced to about six lodges.

 

In the State of New York in 1826, there were about 480 lodges, with a membership of 2o,ooo. From 1827 to 1839, the Grand Lodge maintained its existence, meeting annually, with a representation of from 50 to 9o lodges. The stronghold was in the city of New York, for almost every lodge on the northern and western borders succumbed to the Anti‑Masonic storm.

 

The New York Roll of Honor. ‑In 1835 there were but 75 lodges, of which 25 were located in the city of New York, with a membership of 3000. In 1839 the lodges in New York State were located as follows: ‑ In New York City and Brooklyn, 22, and the remainder (53) ing counties: ‑ in the follow‑ Albany.............;..... 4 Schenectady.............. r Montgomery.............. i  Columbia ................. 2 Ulster.................... 5 Rensselaer................ 4  Queens................... i Madison ................. 2 Saratoga ................. 3  Oneida.... .............. 4 Ontario .................. 2 Cayuga................... 2  Genesee.................. r Tompkins ................ r Seneca................... r  Monroe.................. r Jefferson ................. 3 Dutchess................. 2  Broome.................. i Chenango ................ 2 Herkimer ................ i  Steuben .................. 2 Greene................... r Livingston................ r  Richmond................ i Alleghany ................ r Total ................... 75 Freemasonry touched its lowest ebb about 1840, when it began to exhibit signs of resuscitation, and brethren awakened from the blight and persecution of the thirteen preceding years as from a troubled dream.

 

The Local Lodges.‑While it is impossible to particularize, yet it may not be inappropriate to allude to some of the lodges located in the immediate vicinity of the place where the excitement was inaugurated.

 

Olive Branch Lodge No. 39, LeRoy, Genesee County, never suspended its communications, and is regarded as the parent and preserver of Masonry in Western New York. It also stood firm among the numerous lodges west of the Genesee.

 

Seven of the most zealous and devoted members entered into a solemn agreement, "to meet once in four weeks, for the purpose of opening and closing the lodge and keeping up the work," and right nobly did they keep their cations had never ceased, their charters not having been surrendered. Indeed, these all followed the civil law as to associations, and have, therefore, maintained a consecutive legal existence from a date prior to Anti‑Masonry. ‑ ED.] THE MORGAN EXCITEMENT.

 

531 engagement ‑ never once violating the same during all that time ‑ some of them having to travel a distance of more than thirty miles to the place of meeting.

 

Fidelity Lodge (originally at Trumansburg, Tompkins County), is one of the few that never surrendered. Although proscribed as citizens, as mechanics, and as merchants, subjected to the attacks of the mob while assembled around their mystic altar, they remained faithful, until their members became reduced to twelve (commonly known as the twelve apostles), who continued to meet and pay dues until 1849, when the location of the lodge was changed to Ithaca, N.Y.

 

Union Lodge No. 45, Lima, Monroe County,‑although the members were frequently assailed by the foul tongue of slander, ‑ continued to meet regu‑' larly, elect officers, and transact such portions of the business as the interests of the lodge required.

 

Ark Lodge No. 33, Geneva, Ontario County, located in the midst of the exciting scenes of those times, never surrendered ; but, through the zeal and integrity of the "immortal seven," kept up the meetings and paid its dues regularly. They were obliged to meet in a clandestine manner, by taking the by‑lanes in going to their place of meeting, and then, one by one, at long intervals, gaining admittance through a back door; until the darkness of passion and prejudice had given away.

 

Batavia Lodge was revived in 1842, after laying dormant for sixteen years. This was the lodge located at the place where the Morgan trouble began.

 

Conclusion. ‑ It is said that the excitement at that time was unparalleled, and it was the great topic of the day. It was undoubtedly true that, among the more excitable Masons, there was a determination to prevent the publication of what was claimed to be the full secret ceremonies.

 

It was at this point that the great mistake was made. The Fraternity showed needless excitement and took the most inexcusable measures to suppress the publication. They should have reflected that this was not the first attempt to expose Freemasonry; that, in England, a number of different books had been published from time to time, all professedly on the same subject, and that others will continue to be published just as long as any one can be found who will buy them.

 

It hardly seems possible that credence would be given to the statement of a man, who, by such a publication, if true, would thereby be perjuring himself.

 

Morgan's Fate.‑The question which arises is, What became of Morgan? To this no definite answer has ever been or, as far as we can judge, ever can be given.

 

In the narrative furnished by judge Henry Brown, the following suggestions are worthy of respectful consideration: ‑ 532 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

"(r) That fear prevented Morgan's return from whatever place of exile he had sought. Ha‑, ing been exposed to one expatriation, he might not care to wish another.

 

"(2) That there was no particular object to be gained by his return, especially after his wife had married again.

 

"(3) Intemperate habits, inattention to his family, held in low esteem by the community. and possessing no property, why should he come back 2 " (4) He may have gone to foreign countries, and have died a natural death." The last, to our mind, seems the most reasonable supposition and more in accord with common‑sense. He was supplied with a sum of money, which seemed a fortune to this thriftless, impecunious man, and it is not unreasonable to conclude that he shipped on some vessel (possibly as a sailor), at Quebec or Montreal, and thus vanishes from history.

 

How different would have been the effect if the Masons of that place had let the conspirators go on in their work, paying no attention to the proceedings ! It would have died a natural death; but the very opposition was the means of bringing it into prominence, and the reacting effect was felt on the Fraternity for years.

 

That the perpetrators of the abduction of Morgan had no excuse for their act, is not more true than that they found not the slightest warrant for it in the laws and principles of Freemasonry.

 

A few misguided men did it all, and it is believed that many who participated did so in ignorance of the real nature of the transaction.

 

There is no evidence that any Masonic body encouraged or participated in the outrage, but there is abundant proof of the most honest and hearty condemnation of violence, upon the part of all governing Masonic bodies, and the chief rewards offered for the apprehension of those concerned in the plot were offered by leading Masonic officials.

 

From all the facts before us, we do not believe that William Morgan was murdered. But, even if he was murdered by individual Masons, the Masonic Fraternity could no more be held responsible therefor, than religious organizations can be held responsible for the misdeeds and criminal acts of professing Christians.

 

What the actual fate of Morgan was has never been ascertained, and we do not think it ever will be.

 

We do not suppose that those originally engaged in this scheme had any idea oú the result of their act. They thought it necessary to obtain his silence and prevent his cooperation with Miller in the furtherance of the work; and, with this object in view, it is fair to presume that the intention was to have him depart from that section of the country; and with his consent ‑being furnished with money‑that arrangement was carried out.

 

The most searching investigation has failed to disclose any facts in regard to his final disappearance. All those connected therewith have since died. The last survivor, Orson Parkhurst, who drove Platt's carriage from Rochester thirty miles to Gaines, died very recently at Ludlow, Vt.

 

THE MORGAN EXCITEMENT.

 

533 There were reports made in 1829 that Morgan had been seen in Smyrna, Turkey. A. G. Goodale (in 1867) said that while in Constantinople he had several interviews with persons living in that city, who informed him that they were personally acquainted with Morgan ; and Joseph Alexander Bloom is authority for saying that, in 1831, he became acquainted with an American gentleman whom he believed to be William Morgan.

 

Whether this is true or not we have no means of knowing, but we think it more reasonable to believe that he fled from the country than that the members of the Craft put him to death.

 

Posthumous Narrative of Morgan's Deportation. ‑ In the foregoing we have given our conclusions, based upon what we have read in the preparation of this paper.

 

Since then our attention has been directed to a statement made by John Whitney to Rob Morris, and which was not to be published until after Whitney's death, and then only should a new attack be made upon the Masonic Institution. It harmonizes with much which has been developed, and, we deem fair to conclude, is a true statement of the occurrence : ‑ " The plan, from inception to completion, contemplated nothing more than a deportation of Morgan, by friendly argreement between the parties, either to Canada or some other country. Ample means were provided for the expenses and the after‑support of Morgan and his family. This plan had been perfected from the fact that for several months the minds of Masonic brethren through the counties of Monroe, Ontario, and Genesee (New York) had been agitated by rumors that William Morgan was preparing an exposition, and would be prepared to spring it upon the public early in the winter following." A sum of money was secured with which to purchase of Morgan his manuscripts and his agreement to move to some foreign country, to separate him not only from Miller and his other partners, but also, in our judgment, to rid themselves of one who had imposed himself upon the Fraternity; and, owing to the laxity of those times, it is a grave question whether he (Morgan) ever legitimately had any Masonic degrees, with the single exception of the Royal Arch, at LeRoy, N.Y.

 

"Whitney met Morgan September 5, 1826, and in the course of the conversation said, ' I am here for the purpose of suppressing that publication of yours, and if you will put confidence in me I will make it worth your while to follow my advice."' It was then mutually agreed : ‑ "That Morgan should destroy all the MSS. and printed sheets connected with the ' Illustrations'; that he should taper off drinking, and with the money which Whitney would give him at that time ($So), he would clothe himself decently, provide for the more pressing wants of his family; that he would refuse all interview with his partners, and finally hold himself in readiness, at an hour's notice, to go to Canada, settle down there, and reform in the way of industry and temperance.

 

"It was agreed that Morgan should be well‑treated, and that on the day he reached the appointed place in Canada, he should receive $soo‑in good money‑to be absolutely his own upon his written pledge to stay there and never return to the States.

 

"Whitney also agreed that Morgan s family should be cared for and sent to Canada as soon as a suitable home had been provided for them." 534 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

This was agreed to, the only embarrassment being as to how Morgan could get away from Batavia. He was on jail limits; and even if these debts were paid, others would be brought forward. This embarrassment had been foreseen, and finally the fifty dollars was paid at that time, and Morgan then handed over various memorandums, and also the last printed proofs of the " Illustrations." "The object and aim was to remove Morgan from under the influence of Miller, and the other parties associated with Whitney in the plan always said that 'Morgan had freely consented to go away.'" The plan was carried out as has been developed in other parts of this paper.

 

"He was arrested on a criminal charge, and brought to Canandaigua. The posse consisted of Nicholas G. Chesebro, Henry Howard, Harris Seymour, Moses Roberts, and Joseph Scofield. " The party reached Canandaigua a little before night, and the constable, Halloway Hayward, delivered the prisoner [Morgan] to Squire Chipman.

 

"It was a part of the agreement that the criminal suit should be dropped and the prisoner held on a civil claim, which could be released at a moment's notice. No witnesses appearing against Morgan, he was discharged. He was immediately arrested on an execution for debt. This occurred on Monday, September uth.

 

"During the night and day following, various conferences were held with Masonic brethren at Canandaigua. A messeng8r, Loton Lawson, was sent to John Whitney at Rochester. Arrangements were made for relays of horses and drivers on the way to Fort Niagara.

 

"On Monday, September r2th, Lawson and another man went to the jail, and, the debt being paid, Morgan was released. Unfortunately, however, by some means, Morgan had obtained some liquor and was suffering from its effects, which always rendered him ferocious, and when he reached the pavement, the cold air striking his face and invigorating his spirits, a sudden craving for liberty possessed him, and as the carriage drove up, he stopped, struggled for a moment to collect himself, and cried once and not very loudly, 'Murder! ' His hat fell off. In a moment, however, he was calm and impressed with the error he had committed; he got into the coach, by taking hold of the sides of the door, and the carriage drove off northward.

 

"This was about nine o'clock on the night of September 12th. John Whitney, who had come over from Rochester, met the party a short distance from the jail, just as Morgan struggled and cried out. Whitney said,' What do you mean, Morgan, by making this noise?' Morgan looked at me [Whitney] for a moment through his inflamed eyes, inquired in a hoarse, drunken manner, 'Why, d‑n it, Whitney, is it you?' I said, 'Yes.' Then he said,' I have no more to say.' " Morgan was not bound in the carriage, nor blindfolded, nor threatened, and the only object was to keep the transaction secret, so as to prevent Miller and his associates from finding where he had gone." Whitney accompanied the coach from Canandaigua. The narrative gives the various places stopped at, and the names of the persons who drove and accompanied the party. Eli Bruce joined them at Wright's Corners and accompanied them the rest of the way.

 

"We drove to Youngstown Thursday morning about‑one o'clock and called on Col. William King.

 

"King and Bruce got into the carriage together and had a long conversation with Morgan, and the whole transaction was gone over, and Morgan gave his assent and concurrence therewith. "On arriving near the Fort, the driver (not a Mason) was dismissed and the coach sent back. The ferry boat was ready, and the party went immediately on board.

 

"It was rowed by Elisha Adams and Edward Giddons, and landed at a deserted place on the bank, nearly opposite the Fort and about a mile from the Canadian village of Niagara. Leaving THE MORGAN EXCITEMENT.

 

535 Morgan in the boat, three of the party went to the village and met a committee of two Canadian Masons, as agreed.

 

"No official inquiry has ever brought out the names of these, and I shall ever be silent concern. ingthem. We came back to the boat, the Canadian brethren bringing a lantern. Bruce called Morgan up the bank, out of the boat, and the party sat down together on the grass. Now Colonel King required of Morgan the most explicit consent to the movements that had brought him there. By the aid of questions from the whole party, Morgan admitted as follows: ‑ "' (1) That he had contracted with Miller and others to write an Exposition of Masonry, for which he was to receive a compensation.

 

"' (2) That he had never been made a Mason in any lodge, but had received the Royal Arch degree in a regular manner.

 

"' (3) That Miller and the other partners had utterly failed to fulfil the terms of the contract with him.

 

"' (4) That Whitney had paid him fifty dollars, as agreed, and he had agreed to destroy the written and printed work as far as possible and furnish no more, and that before leaving Batavia he had done what he promised in that way.

 

"' (5) That it was impossible now for Miller to continue the " Illustrations" as he [Morgan] had written them. If he published any book, it would have to be made from some other person's materials.

 

"' (o) That he had been treated by Chesebro, Whitney, Bruce, and all of them with perfect kindness on the journey.

 

"' (7) That he was willing and anxious to be separated from Miller and from all idea of a Masonic expose; wished to go into the interior of Canada and settle down as a British citizen; wished to have his family sent him as soon as possible; expected five hundred dollars when he reached the place, as agreed upon; expected more money from year to year, to help him, if necessary.

 

"' (8) Finally expressed his sorrow for the uproar his proceedings had made, sorrow for the shame and mortification of his friends, and had "no idea that David C. Miller was such a d‑d scoundrel as he had turned out to be."' " We had ascertained at the village that the Canadian brethren would be ready to perform their part and remove Morgan westward by the latter part of that or the first of the succeeding week, but objected so strenuously to having him remain among them in the meantime, that it was agreed he [Morgan] should be taken to the American side until the Canadians should notify us they were ready.

 

"This was explained to Morgan, and he agreed to it. It was then understood that lie was to remain in the magazine without attempting to get out until matters were arranged for his removal. The party then rowed back, and Morgan was left in the bomb‑proof of the magazine.

 

"The party then left, breakfasted at Youngstown, and went up to Lewiston on the Rochester boat that passed up, with passengers for the Royal Arch installation that occurred there that day (Thursday, September 14th). There was quite a company of us there, and the intelligence was freely communicated that Morgan was in Fort Niagara, and the greatest satisfaction expressed at the news that the manuscripts and printed sheets had been destroyed, and that in a few days Morgan would be effectually separated from the company that had led him to his ruin. During the day it was reported to us at Lewiston that ' Morgan had gone into the theatricals,' and was shouting and alarming the people in the vicinity. Nothing would quiet him except rum, which was given him.

 

"Lawson, Whitney, and a few others remained in the vicinity until Sunday night (Uth), when the two Canadian brethren came over, received Morgan, received to Whitney for the money ($Soo), and crossed to the west side of the river.

 

"They travelled on horseback,‑three horses in the party; Monday night, the 18th, they rode some thirty miles further to a point near the present city of Hamilton, where the journey ended. Morgan signed a receipt for the $5oo. He also signed a declaration of the facts of the case.

 

"We supposed we could at any time trace him up. We felt that the Craft would be the gainef by our labors. We were prepared to send his wife and children to him, as agreed.

 

"We supposed that was the end of it. , 536 " What a tremendous blunder we all made ! It was scarcely a week until we saw what trouble was before us. It was not a fortnight until Col. King sent a confidential messenger into Canada to see Morgan and prepare to bring him back.

 

"But, alas, he who had sold his friends at Batavia had also sold us. He had gone. He had left the village within forty‑eight hours after the departure of those who had taken him there.

 

"He was traced east to a point down the river not far from Port Hope, where he sold his horse and disappeared. He had doubtless got on board a vessel there and sailed out of the country. At any rate, that was the last we ever heard of him." Such is the true account of the deportation of William Morgan as given by John Whitney.

 

COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

0"lA./V4 .

 

DIVISION XII.

 

MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE.

 

A Comprehensive History of the Origin and Development of Masonic Law The Relation of Governing Bodies to one another; the Relation of Grand Lodges to their Constituent Lodges, and to Individual Members of the Craft; the Relation of Lodges to one another, to their Members, and of Masons to one another; the Origin and Use of Public Masonic Forms and Ceremonies; and the Customs and Peculiarities of the Craft in general.

 

BY JOSIAH H. DRUMMOND, P.G.M., Past General Grand High Priest of the General Grand Royal Arch Chapter, United States, America ; Past Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Maine; Past General Grand Master of the General Grand Council, Royal and Select Masters, of the United States; Past Grand Master of the Grand Council of Maine; Past Grand Commander of the Grand Coanmandery of Knights Templar of Maine; Past M.‑. P.‑. Sov.'. Gr.‑. Coma. of the Supreme Council for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, United States, America, S.‑. Rite.

 

CHAPTER I.

 

HISTORY OF MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE, ETC., ETC.

 

Foundation of Masonio Law.‑The wonderful growth of the Fraternity of Free and Accepted Masons, and the consequent multiplication of governing bodies, ‑ all peers and sovereigns over Masonic affairs within their respective territorial jurisdictions, ‑ have given rise to a jurisprudence peculiar to the Institution, and yet largely based upon general principles recognized by all civilized communities and associations as inherent rights, and necessarily growing out of the very existence of human beings destined to have relations with one another.

 

The recognition of immutable laws relating to the Institution, which the Fraternity itself cannot change and remain Masonic in character, imposes upon 537 538 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

the governing bodies the duty of seeing that "the Ancient Landmarks be preserved " : this duty introduces into the Masonic system of jurisprudence a feature peculiar to itself.

 

The form of Masonic government, by which the sovereign body governs the individual chiefly through subordinate bodies created by itself, adds to its jurisprudence another feature little known to civil law.

 

The Masonic jurisprudence of the present day embraces the relations of governing bodies to one another, the relations between them and their subordinates, and between them and individual members of the Craft, the relations between subordinates and between them and their members and other Masons, and the relations of Masons to one another.

 

Like the common law, Masonic jurisprudence is now the product of the growth of many years ; and like municipal law it springs from fundamental principles, from usage, and from the enactments of governing bodies.

 

While the law relating to all the departments of Masonry is similar in character, the history of Masonic jurisprudence more properly appertains to the Symbolic degrees, and unless otherwise expressly stated this discussion will be limited accordingly.

 

The Relations of Governing Bodies with one another. ‑The laws governing the relations of Grand Lodges to one another have comparatively more recently come before the Craft for consideration ; but they seem naturally to come first in a sketch of the origin and growth of the whole system.

 

Without regard to their origin, Grand Lodges are conceded to be sovereigns and consequently equals in all their powers and rights. They are, to all intents and purposes, Masonic Nations. As they are equal, no one can enact law for another; and no one can decide for another what Masonic law is, neither as affecting their mutual relations nor in any other respect. Yet the moment there are two or more Grand Lodges fraternizing with each other, there must needs be some rules of conduct affecting their intercourse with one another, to be first ascertained and declared as cases arise.

 

Naturally the laws affecting civil nations in their mutual relations were looked to in order to ascertain those appropriate to Masonic nations.

 

Some Masonic writers have erroneously assumed that all"laws of nations" are the result of concurrent enactment, and, therefore, that no Masonic laws affecting the relations of Grand Lodges can be said to exist, except such as have received the express sanction of all Grand Lodges, or, at any rate, can bind only those which have expressly given their sanction to such laws. But this is not true of civil nations ; and the reasons, therefore, apply with greater force to Masonic nations.

 

It has long been held by writers upon International Law, or the Law of Nations, that there are four classes of that law: ‑ (t) The volrcntary law of nations, arising from their presumed consent. (2) Th:, customary law, arising from their acquiescence or tacit consent.

 

MASONIC JURISPR (IDENCE.

 

(3) The conventional law, arising from express consent or actual agreement. And (4) The necessary law, arising from "the application of the law of nature" to states.

 

The history of the Institution shows the recognition of all these and their application to inter‑Grand Lodge relations. But, as already stated, the foregoing distinctions have not always been recognized ; but it has been assumed that all laws, applicable to the intercourse of Grand Lodges with one another, are binding upon any given Grand Lodge only by its express assent thereto. But this is not in accordance with sound principle, nor with the law observed by civil nations.

 

"We call that the necessary Law of Nations which consists in the application of the law of nature to nations. It is necessary because all nations are absolutely bound to observe it." Nations are naturally free, equal, and independent of one another; each Nation must be left in the peaceable enjoyment of its natural rights; the government of a Nation is necessarily exclusive over all its territory ; all rights on the part of foreigners are excluded, and no State has the smallest right to exercise any act of sovereignty in another State. These are zmong the "necessary laws of nations." The first two of these have been always applied to Grand Lodges as a matter of course ; the third has been sometimes disputed by Grand Lodges, which claimed no territorial jurisdiction, but undertook to exercise government over individuals alone; but such bodies would not now be recognized as regular Grand Lodges. The fourth has been more frequently contested by a few Grand Lodges, which have rightfully governed lodges in a territory in which, later, an independent Masonic government has been established and recognized, and which have claimed to govern such of those lodges as should choose to adhere to their former allegiance. If Great Britain had undertaken to exercise sovereignty over communities in the United States, which should have chosen to adhere to her after the recognition of independence, her claim would have been held to be preposterous, and her attempt to maintain it an outrageous violation of the Law of Nations: the same principle applies to Grand Lodges, and the very general consensus of opinion is now to that effect.

 

The application of these laws to several important questions has been the occasion for considerable discussion by Masonic writers. Some Grand Lodges hold the law to be that when a candidate presents his petition to a lodge having jurisdiction, and it is received, he becomes, in Masonic language, "the work " of that lodge, and no other lodge can afterward interfere with this work. If the candidate is rejected, he remains perpetually under the exclusive jurisdiction of that lodge, even though he removes into another Grand Lodge jurisdiction. Other Grand Lodges hold that when a person, rejected in one jurisdiction, moves into another, he becomes subject to the laws of the latter, and freed from those of the former : so that it has often happened that a candidate has been rejected in one State, and subsequently moved into another and there been made a Mason, in spite of his previous rejection, 539 540 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

This has given rise to complaint against the lodge that such action is a breach of Masonic law, injurious to the complainant. The matter has been much discussed, and the conclusion has been reached that when a resident within a Grand Lodge jurisdiction has been made a Mason in strict conformity with the law of that jurisdiction, no other Grand Lodge has any just ground of complaint; but several Grand Lodges still hold that making a Mason of a candidate rejected in another Grand jurisdiction, without the proper consent, is a serious breach of a Masonic comity, and that he is not a regular Mason.

 

A similar question has grown out of the law requiring candidates to apply to a lodge within the Grand Lodge jurisdiction in which they reside. It has frequently happened that a candidate has been made a Mason in one State, when his residence at the time was in another, without the consent of the lodge having jurisdiction. The question of his status has been much discussed while there has not been a full agreement, the preponderance of opinion and decision now is that a person, made a Mason in a regular lodge, lawfully convened and Masonically formed, is a regular Mason; the lodge may be punished for irregular proceedings, and the candidate, if a party to any fraud, may be expelled, but until disciplined is a regular Mason. Still, some Grand Lodges hold that a person so made is a clandestine Mason; while some" others, not actually denying his regularity, prohibit his receiving Masonic privileges within their respective jurisdictions.

 

The question of determining the residence of a candidate is generally one of fact, in relation to which the two Grand Lodges interested may well come to different conclusions : there being no superior tribunal, and the decision of one not being binding on the other, the contest would be interminable ; but of late the practice has arisen of submitting the questions to arbitration. This method is so reasonable, and so much in accord with the principles of Freemasonry, that there is little doubt that it will remain a permanent feature of inter‑Grand Lodge Masonic law, made so by the general assent of the Grand Lodges of the world.

 

When controversies arise between Nations, which cannot be adjusted by negotiation, the final result is an appeal to arms; in similar cases, Grand Lodges withdrew Masonic relations, and forbade the members of their respective obediences to have Masonic communication with one another.

 

This course has been taken in many instances, but within a few years past there has been a growing sentiment that such a state of affairs between two Grand Lodges is not in accord with the principles of Freemasonry, and, in consequence, there is a corresponding disposition to exhaust every other resource to effect a settlement, before resorting to this Masonic "uMma ratio "; but as long as Masons are subject to human imperfection, cases will undoubtedly arise in which this action will be deemed a necessity.

 

The Relation of Grand Bodies to their Constituents, and to Individuals. ‑The relations of Grand Lodges to lodges and to individual members of the MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE.

 

541 Craft may be considered together. When men undertake to establish a frame of government for an association as well as for a nation, they are inevitably controlled by the views of governments which they have acquired by the circumstances in which they are placed; and, except in cases of revolution, their ideas are generally in accord with the civil government under which they live. This has been often illustrated in the organization of governing bodies in the Masonic Fraternity.

 

Previously to 17 17 there were no Grand Lodges : theoretically at least, the Grand Master was the head of the Craft, exercising various powers by immemorial usage ; the making of new laws was held to be vested in general assemblies of the Craft supposed to be held annually. No records were kept, and, with few exceptions, the laws and ceremonies of the Craft were transmitted orally from generation to generation. Freemasonry as an Operative Institution had then fallen into decay, and could no longer be maintained. But good and really great men were connected with it who appreciated in some degree, at least, the sublimity and truth of its principles and their importance to humanity. They may have "builded better than they knew," but it is certain that they deemed the organization worthy of preservation as a Speculative Institution, when it could no longer be supported in its Operative character.

 

As a consequence, a change in its form of government became a necessity. Therefore, the assemblies of the Craft were held upon their own motion, and, while called || lodges," met anywhere and at any time as occasion called: this system was the natural result of the itinerant character of Operative Masons. But obviously when Masons became Speculative only, naturally and quite necessarily their meetings would be held with some kind of regularity, and their organizations be of a permanent character; lodges would be no longer composed of those who chanced to be present, but of members duly enrolled, with regularly appointed officers. The word |` lodge " came to mean an organized association of a permanent character instead of a temporary assembly of Masons presided over by any Master who happened to be present. Permanency of organization naturally suggested that those making it should have warrant therefor from the governing authority.

 

When the idea of continuing the Society as Speculative was first entertained, and how long a time it existed before the changes involved in that idea culminated in a system, cannot be ascertained. The growth, as in other cases in Masonry, was probably slow. But before 1717 such progress had been made that some lodges had fixed places for holding their meetings, and had acquired quite a permanent character. In that year the present system was formally organized.

 

The history of that organization 1| must be read in the light of surrounding circumstances " in order to ascertain its true character. George I. had lately ascended the throne of England after a contest of more than thirty years between his predecessors, and Parliament representing the people. These predecessors 542 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

had undertaken to deprive Parliament of the powers it had habitually exercised. Among the prerogatives of the crown had formerly been the power of dispensation; the limits of this power had not been defined, and James II. had undertaken to exercise it to the extent of annulling all law. In the contest which followed James lost his throne, and in the " Bill of Rights," assented to by his successor, this prerogative was wholly abandoned. Whether or not the word and the idea embodied in it had been adopted from the Roman Catholic polity, it had been, and continued to be, a well‑known feature of that polity. It was an attribute of sovereignty‑the power to dispense with a law for the benefit of a particular person in a particular case. This meaning of the word was well and universally known, although the power had been abandoned and had ceased to exist in the civil government. In that, the power of Parliament was supreme, subject to the prerogatives of the crown; but while thus supreme it was practically limited by certain principles established by " the usages of the realm." It is not possible, in a work of this character, to go further into detail, but a clear and correct conception of the original Grand Lodge system of Masonic government cannot be obtained without a close study of the contemporaneous system of civil law in England, which was taken as a pattern by the Masons of that day.

 

In 1717 general assemblies of the Craft were abolished and the supreme power vested in the Grand Lodge ‑ the Masonic Parliament. The privileges of holding lodges at pleasure was also abolished, and no new lodge could be created except by warrant from the Grand Lodge or the Grand Master; the Masters and Wardens of the lodges were, ex oftcio, members of the Grand Lodge. The powers of the Grand Master, whatever they were, were left untouched; his power to grant dispensations was expressly recognized, but it was declared that " the inherent right " of a lodge to choose their own members was not "subject to a dispensation." Moreover, the binding force of the Ancient Landmarks was taken for granted. With these limitations, the Grand Lodge was made the supreme power of the Fraternity‑not merely the official organ of the Craft, but the supreme governor of the Craft according to its own good will and pleasure.

 

When Freemasonry was established in this country, the same plan of government was adopted. The Constitution of the oldest American Grand Lodge declares that " By virtue of the Ancient Constitutions and usages of Freemasonry, the Grand Lodge, as the supreme Masonic authority in this Commonwealth, is invested with certain original, essential, and unalterable powers and privileges. . . . Every warranted lodge is a constituent part of the Grand Lodge, in which assembly all the powers of the Fraternity reside." There was no exception to this until 1787, when the Grand Lodge of North Carolina was organized. Here, again, the effect of surrounding circumstances is strikingly illustrated. American, independence had been achieved; the American lodges were asserting the right to Masonic independence; a consti‑ MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE.

 

543 tution for the government of the United States had been framed and submitted to the people. That instrument reversed the British constitutional system of government : while in the latter, Parliament was supreme and the source of all power, by the former the Congress possessed only such powers as were granted to it, and could acquire other powers only by a new delegation thereof from the people.

 

This instrument was before the people for adoption or rejection, when the Masons of North Carolina met to form a Grand Lodge; and they followed the plan contained in it. Instead of organizing a Masonic Parliament, they organized a Masonic Congress. Their constitution could be changed only by submitting the proposition to the lodges, which could adopt or reject it at pleasure. The Grand Lodge formed under it was a sovereign body only in the sense in which the government of the United States is sovereign; that is, only to the extent specified in the constitutions of each.

 

While the large majority of the Grand Lodges formed subsequently followed the old plan, the Grand Lodges springing directly or more remotely from the Grand Lodge of North Carolina very naturally adopted the new plan. In consequence, two distinct systems of Masonic jurisprudence have existed, and still exist theoretically, in this country, but nowhere else in the world. The Masonic jurists of the United States are divided in the same manner, and frequently the difference in their conclusions may be traced to this difference in the fundamental principles of Grand Lodge government.

 

It should be said, however, that quite a proportion of the Grand Lodges which originally adopted the new system have, with the consent of their lodges, abandoned it, and adopted the other; but, on the other hand, Grand Lodges which originally adopted the old system have been induced to adopt the new one in revising their constitutions.

 

But it must be said, also, that practically the Grand Lodges which have adopted the new system, frequently, and probably generally, disregard it when occasion requires, and act as sovereign bodies: as there can be no appeal from their decisions, the result is the same as if they held to the opposite theory.

 

Grand Lodges have always created and terminated the existence of lodges, whenever they have seen cause to do so ; and in general have prescribed their rights, powers, and duties, although under the Ancient Landmarks a lodge has inherent powers of which the Grand Lodge cannot deprive it save by revoking its charter.

 

Grand Lodges, acting according to the original plan, have exercised the power as inherent in themselves, `| of investigating, regulating, and deciding all matters relative to the Craft, or to particular lodges, or to individual brothers," either by themselves directly, or by such delegated authority as they in their wisdom and discretion have seen fit to appoint. The Grand Lodges adhering to the new plan generally hold that they cannot exercise many of these power, 544 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

except upon appeal from the subordinate lodges. The former, as a rule, hold that in themselves alone resides the power of expelling and suspending brethren from the rights and privileges of Masonry; while the latter quite generally hold that this power resides in the lodge exclusively. More recently, however, some of them, in cases coming before them on appeal, have exercised the power of reversing the proceedings of the lodge, and of suspending or expelling the accused.

 

In most cases, however, the matter of discipline (except as to members of the Grand Lodge), has been left to the lodges, subject to revision on appeal, and to confirmation or reversal in cases of suspension or expulsion. The original method was to have a trial by the lodge, the Master acting as judge, and the other members as the jury. As the lodges increased in membership, this method became cumbersome and unsatisfactory for other reasons, and the plan of trial by Commission and the Lodge was adopted. Ordinarily, the Commission hears the case and reports,‑in some jurisdictions the evidence, and in others their findings,‑to the Lodge which proceeds to decide the case and render judgment. Other Grand Lodges have a Board of Trial Commissioners, who try all cases (unless the Lodge votes to try the case itself), and report to the Grand Lodge their decision and sentence, if any, which, when approved by the Grand Lodge, stands as its own judgment.

 

A Grand Lodge is the supreme legislative, judicial, and executive Masonic power in its jurisdiction; its enactments, decisions, and acts are binding upon all lodges and Masons within its jurisdiction. It is subject only to the Ancient Landmarks ; but from its decisions in relation to them there is no appeal.

 

There has been much discussion as to the power of a Grand Lodge to discipline a Mason of another jurisdiction, who comes into its territory and there commits an offence against its laws ; but it is now the settled doctrine that a Mason from another jurisdiction has no immunity from discipline not possessed by resident Masons, and the statement that the laws of a Grand Lodge "are binding upon all Masons within its jurisdiction" is made advisedly.

 

The Relation of Lodges to one another, and to Individual Craftsmen. ‑ The history of jurisprudence concerning the relations of lodges to one another and to individual members, and of Masons to one another, is substantially a history of the development of the fundamental principles of the Institution.

 

The earliest laws of Freemasons must have been few and of the most general character. They were evidently founded upon a belief in the Fatherhood of God and the consequent recognition of the Brotherhood of Man this is not known historically, but is a necessary inference from the fundamental principles of the Institution as they existed when we have the first knowledge of them.

 

Human experience has shown, however, that a general law that all men must be " good men and true " is not sufficient, and that as the world grows older, the number of laws relating to specific details also increases. Such has MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE.

 

545 been the case with Masonry since its historic period commenced. There is ample evidence that it was so before : the " Charges " used were largely statements of Masonic duty as to specific matters, as to acts which might be done, and acts which were prohibited.

 

With no written law for a guide, it was inevitable that the usages of the Craft should take its place; this would be the more certain in England, where the " usages of the realm " had already become a great part of '| the common law," governing the people in their relations to one another and subject only to the enactments of Parliament.

 

At the time of the reorganization, in 1717, there was no " Book of Constitutions " ; as yet the law of the Craft was found in its usages, but according to the statements of Anderson made at or near the time, and supported by other conclusive evidence, there existed manuscripts in which were contained Charges and accounts of ancient usages of the Craft.

 

In 1718, according to Anderson, Grand Master Payne " Desired any brethren to bring to the Grand Lodge any old writings and records concerning Masons and Masonry, in order to show the. usages of ancient times; and this year several old copies of the Gothic Constitutions were produced and collated." Apparently this request produced an effect precisely the reverse of what was intended, for in 172o Anderson says: ‑ " This year, at some private lodges, several very valuable manuscripts (for they had nothing yet in print), concerning the Fraternity, their Lodges, Regulations, Charges, Secrets, and Usages (particularly one writ by Mr. Nicholas Stone, the Warden of Inigo Jones), were too hastily burnt by some scrupulous Brothers; that those papers might not fall into strange hands." The same fear entertained by these " scrupulous brothers " has induced others many times since to do the same thing.

 

At the meeting of the Grand Lodge in September, 17 21, " His Grand Worship and the Lodge finding fault with the old Gothic Constitution, ordered Brother James Anderson, A. M., to digest the same in a new and better method.

 

"The Constitutions referred to," says Robert Freke Gould, the eminent English Masonic historian, "were certain old documents, usually in roll or script form, 'containing the Legend of the Craft, and a Code of Ancient Regulations, both of which it was the custom in old days to read over to the operative Masons on their first admission into the lodge." Anderson prepared his manuscript, and the Grand Master, at the desire of the Lodge, appointed fourteen '| learned brothers" to examine it and make report; in March, 1722, òhe committee reported, "That they had perused Broth|r Anderson's manuscript, viz.: the ' History, Charges, Regulations, and Masters Song,' and after some amendments had approved of it; upon which the Lodge desired the Grand Master to order it printed." In January, 172'3, "Grand Warden Anderson produced the new Book of Constitutions, now in print, which was again approved with the addition of the antient manner of constituting a lodge." It will be observed that this Book of Constitutions was not a code of law then enacted, but a compilation of old laws and usages, and that the compilation 546 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

was " approved " and not the laws; in other words, the laws in that book were recognized as laws already existing, and were not then created.

 

One of the regulations was that " Every annual Grand Lodge has an inherent power and authority to make new regulations, or to alter these for the real benefit of this antient Fraternity, provided always that the Old Landmarks be carefully preserved," etc.

 

And the Grand Lodge, in 1723, declared that a " Grand Lodge duly met has power to amend or explain any of the printed regulations in the Book of Constitutions, while they break not in upon the Antient Rules of the Fraternity." This is an express recognition that there are 1| Antient Rules " which the Grand Lodge has no power to " break in upon " by amendment or explanation. These " Rules " are the " Antient Landmarks," deemed by almost all the Craft as unchangeable ; it is true that some, viewing Masonic government from a modern stand‑point, deny their existence, some because these "Antient Rules " have never been codified, and others, because Masons disagree as to what rules are Landmarks. But it seems to be obvious that " Antient Rules " springing from ancient usages cannot be codified as a complete code any more than that all the usages of the Craft can be enumerated.

 

It is generally conceded that the " Old Charges " as collated by Anderson in his first edition are Landmarks, or among the Landmarks, and the foundation upon which the jurisprudence of Masonry has been erected.

 

The Old Regulations, on the other hand, are generally capable of being changed by the Grand Lodge, but as already stated, provided that the Landmarks be faithfully preserved.

 

All the Old Regulations containing prohibitions and restrictions upon the action of lodges are subject to the modification "except by dispensation," except that it is expressly stated that one power of a lodge is c| not subject to a dispensation." Thus in this Book of Constitutions we find the express recognition, under the ancient laws of the Craft, of (i) The existence and inviolability of the Landmarks; (a) Subject to them, the sovereign power of the Grand Lodge; and (3) The power of the Grand Master to grant dispensations suspending the operation of a law in a particular case.

 

The rapid growth of the Fraternity naturally calVd for the enactment of new laws, and " explanations " of the old ones, now termed " decisions." Accordingly we find that at almost every session the Grand Lodge took action, but always in a line with the three principles above stated. In more than one instance it was discovered that the usages as stated in the Book of Constitutions was not in accord with the usage in the old lodges, and the law was corrected accordingly.

 

Unauthorized books were published, which were denounced by the Grand Lodge. But in 1738 Anderson published a second edition of his work, giving MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE.

 

547 an abstract of the proceedings of the Grand Lodge up to that date, but especially the decisions of the Grand Lodge and the additions to, and amendments of, the Old Regulations; he, however, changed the phraseology of the Ancient Charges, with a view of condensation and correction: while his work was at first approved by the Grand Officers, it is said that the Grand Lodge refused its sanction, and the Ancient Charges, as originally published, have ever since been accepted as the true. version. His book seems to have had a small circulation, for in 1746 a new title‑page was printed and substituted for the first one and the book put upon the market as printed that year.

 

The growth of Masonic jurisprudence continued to be in the enactment of new laws, and the action of the Grand Lodge in the nature of decisions and precedents. The original idea was fully recognized and adhered to closely.

 

The more important matters were published in the Book of Constitutions. Editions of Anderson's Constitutions, edited by John Entick, were published in 1756 and 1767 under the sanction of the Grand Lodge; in 1769 the latter edition was reprinted in a different form, and issued (with a mere change of the title‑page), in Dublin also; in 1776 an Appendix was published by order of the Grand Lodge, and bound in the copies of the 1767 edition then remaining on hand. In 1784, by order of the Grand Lodge, another edition of Anderson's Constitutions, edited by John Noorthouck, was published. These editions were all upon the same general plan, so far as the enactments and decisions are concerned, and naturally each edition was more voluminous than its predecessors. In 1815, after the union of the two Grand Lodges, a Book of Constitutions was published, but it no longer bore Anderson's name, was much smaller than the previous ones, and was substantially confined to the laws of the Grand Lodge. Several editions on the same plan have since been published.

 

But a disturbing element was introduced into English Freemasonry, which has left its traces in Masonic jurisprudence, especially in the United States. The schism resulting in the formation of the so‑called "Ancient Grand Lodge " naturally gave rise to differences in minor particulars; and the claim was made that these differences were of vital importance, and even formed a barrier of denial of recognition of one faction by the other. The union of the two English Grand Lodges in 1813, however, produced thereafter unity of law in that jurisdiction; ‑but in America, Grand Lodges had been formed under each of the two English systems, and being independent naturally continued the polity originally adopted. In Massachusetts there was a union of two Grand Lodges in 1792, but both had taken Anderson's Constitutions as their guide, and their polity was the same. In South Carolina, also, there were originally two Grand Lodges, one under each of the English bodies. They united in 18o8, but a schism immediately followed, and two Grand Lodges existed until 1814, when a union was effected. The result of the blending of the two systems is plainly discernible in the present jurisprudence of that jurisdiction. The same is true 548 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

of Virginia, whose Grand Lodge was formed by Masons holding directly or indirectly under both the rival English authorities.

 

In Pennsylvania, however, the 1| Ancients " completely crushed out their rivals, and conducted their Masonic affairs according to the system established by Dermott. In 1783 Rev. Dr. Smith, Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge, published an "Ahiman Rezon," based upon the similar work of Dermott. His version of the Charges followed closely those in Anderson's second edi tion, with much amplification. He devotes considerable space to the necessity of secrecy, making it of paramount importance. The power of the Grand Lodge to confer degrees and the prerogative of the Grand Master to " make Masons at sight " are expressly stated as a part of the ancient law.

 

Under the. other organization there were various public Masonic ceremonies, in which the Grand Lodge and subordinate lodges participated in their distinctive character. On such occasions the brethren were Masonically clothed, the officers invested with their jewels and other insignia of office, and the furniture necessary for holding a lodge was present; and the work was done by the Grand Lodge or the lodge, as the case might be. These included laying corner‑stones of public edifices, opening bridges, dedicating halls, installations, etc. Accounts of these ceremonies are found in the publications authorized by the Grand Lodge, from almost the date of the earliest printed book relating to Masonry; and they are then assumed to be well‑known usages of the Craft. In the Books of Constitutions there are given detailed accounts of the ceremonies performed by the Grand Lodge on various occasions.

 

In Pennsylvania it has been claimed that there are no public Masonic ceremonies ; and it is undoubtedly true that the " Ancients " insisted more strenuously upon secrecy than did the adherents of the old Grand Lodge, and that, in consequence, public ceremonies were of rarer occurrence. But there is ground for the belief that the claims of Pennsylvania jurists are based upon a departure from the ancient usage in that jurisdiction.

 

In 1778 there was a celebration in Philadelphia in honor of General Washington. Dr. Smith gives some account of it in his Ahiman Rezon. He delivered a sermon upon the occasion. He says that the brethren assembled at the college to the number of three hundred; they were "properly cloathed, the officers in the jewels of their lodges and other badges of their dignity." The deacons carried their wands; the wardens bore their'pillars; the Holy Bible and Book of Constitutions were borne before the Grand Master. In fine, the procession was of the precise character as those of the other organization ; that is to say, a regularly formed lodge marched in a procession to the church where the exercises took place.

 

As the wearing of Masonic clothing upon any other than Masonic occasions, and the investment of officers with their jewels and badges of office, except when doing Masonic work, are utterly repugnant to Masonic law and usage, the conclusion is irresistible that, upon this occasion, the Grand Lodge of MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE.

 

549 Pennsylvania appeared in public as such, for the performance of Masonic work. The Grand Master's emblem of authority has no use, force, or meaning as such emblem outside of a lodge. The presence of the Grand Master, clad in his official insignia and bearing the emblem of authority, conclusively shows a duly formed lodge of Masons.

 

But Dr. Smith, in a note, relates another very significant circumstance which happened at the same time : he closed his sermon with an ascription of " Glory to the Triune‑God," and the doctor says: ‑ "At the word 'Glory' the brethren rose together, and in reverential posture, in pronouncing the names of the Triune‑God, accompanied the same by a corresponding repetition of the Ancient Sign or Symbol of Divine Homage and Obeisance, concluding with the following Response "'Amen! So let it ever be.' " This ceremony was evidently arranged in advance, and was not, therefore, a mere unauthorized act of the brethren.

 

The account of this celebration was published five years after it took place, and if there had been anything done inconsistent with Masonic law and usage, there had been ample time to ascertain it. The publication, therefore, so long afterward, adds to the weight to be given to what was done.

 

When published this Ahiman Rezon was, and for some forty years continued to be, the " Book of Constitutions " of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. The conclusion, therefore, seems just that the present usage in that jurisdiction is somewhat of a departure from the original law and usage.

 

It must be stated, however, that in all the jurisdictions in which "Ancient" Masonry flourished, the emphasis with which secrecy was enjoined produced effects still plainly discernible.

 

What was understood to be the law as to public Masonic ceremonies in Anderson's time is shown by his accounts of the "levelling of foot‑stones" by the Grand Master and Grand Wardens, " attended by many brothers in due form," on dates previous to 1717 ; whether the accounts are historically correct or not, they show what the usage was understood to be at the time when they were written.

 

Anderson's account of the meeting of the Grand Lodge, June 24, 1721, shows that the Grand Master and other Grand Officers with the Masters and Wardens of twelve lodges, formed a Grand Lodge, " made some new brothers " and "marched on foot to the hall in proper clothing and due form," where they were " received by one hundred and fifty, true and faithful, all clothed "; after dinner the Grand Master was proclaimed and he and his officers invested; and after the business was finished, he ordered a brother " as Warden to close the lodge in good time." It will be seen that at this early date, the Grand Lodge was opened in one hall, did business, marched (formed as such), through the streets, to another hall, and after performing Masonic work there, was duly closed. The same course was followed year after year. In his account of the assembly and feast, January 29, 1730 [N.S.], Anderson gives "as 550 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

a specimen to avoid repetitions " a full account of the procession. To this and other accounts of public Masonic ceremonies in the Books of Constitutions approved by the Grand Lodge, and in contemporaneous publications by Masons, reference only can be made; but they show conclusively that public Masonic ceremonies are usages of the Craft from the earliest days of its written history to the present time.

 

But, as Anderson said of the Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland, the Grand Lodges in this country, whether "Ancient" or "Modern," had "the same constitutions, charges, regulations, etc., for substance"; and their difference in details affects their jurisprudence to no such extent as affects full recognition of each other or entire harmony in their mutual relations.

 

Grand Masters' Decisions.‑The immense and rapid growth of Masonry in this country soon developed the study of " Masonic Jurisprudence." Questions arose upon which the decision of the Grand Master was invoked; other questions came directly before the Grand Lodge. To prevent an endless repetition of the same questions, the practice arose, some thirty years ago, of reporting to the Grand Lodge the decisions of the Grand Master, and the publication of these decisions and those of the Grand Lodge for the informa tion of the Craft. Then came the practice of having the Grand Lodge pass upon the decisions of the Grand Master, not with the purpose of affecting the decision of the particular case (for in that the action of the Grand Master was final), but with the view of establishing the rule for the future.

 

The occasions for these decisions were more numerous from the fact that nearly all of the Masonic Monitors, after the advent of Webb in 1797, had special reference to the ritual and ceremonials, and gave little attention to the law; so that, except so far as they incidentally show the usages of the Craft, they are of little aid in the study of jurisprudence. There were some exceptions ; and the science cannot be understood without a study, not only of the English Books of Constitutions, Monitors, and Ahiman Rezons, but also of the earlier publications in this country, such as the Pennsylvania Ahiman Rezon of 1783; the Virginia Ahiman Rezons of 1791, 1818, and 1847; the Massachusetts Constitutions of 1792 and 1798; the Maryland Ahiman Rezons of 1797, 1817, and 1826 ; and the Ahiman Rezons of New York, 1805, of North Carolina and Tennessee, 1805, of South Carolina, 1807, and of Kentucky, i8o8 and 18x8.

 

Treatises on Jurisprudence. ‑The practice of making decisions soon suggested treatises on Masonic law and digests of decisions. The first to enter this field was Albert G. Mackey, who published a work in 1855, entitled, " Principles of Masonic Law." This ran through several editions in a very short time, and, in 1859, he published his || Masonic Jurisprudence." In 1856 Robert Morris published a " Code of Masonic Law " in a volume of nearly five hundred pages. John W. Simons followed with a similar work in 1864. George W. Chase published a "Masonic Digest" in 1859, in which he collected the decisions MASONIC JURISPRUDENCE.

 

551 of Grand Masters and Grand Lodges, with the utterances of Masonic Committees. In addition to these, there should be mentioned The Freemasons' Monthly Magazine, by Charles W. Moore. Its publication was commenced in IS4r, and was continued for thirty‑two years. Questions of Masonic law were continually discussed in it with an ability and knowledge that make the work one of the most valuable in the whole range of Masonic literature.

 

The publication of these works created a vivid interest in the subject, and attracted the attention of the ablest men of the Craft. The ritual, symbolism, and history of Freemasonry had offered a wide field for study and research, and to these were now added its jurisprudence. A system had grown up in this country which gave an opportunity for the full discussion of these subjects ‑a necessary condition for the evolution of truth. In nearly all the Grand Lodges a standing committee was appointed (styled " Committee on Foreign Correspondence "), charged with the duty of examining the annual proceedings of the other Grand Lodges and of reporting upon such matters found therein as may be deemed of interest to the Craft. This naturally led to a comparison of the enactments, decisions, usages, and action of the Grand Lodges, and to a discussion of differences. While this system may have been diverted from its purpose, and even abused in some cases, it is certainly true that it has done more for the unification of the Craft, and especially to secure a degree of uniformity of Masonic law and polity, than all other causes combined. In numerous instances the discussions of these committees have convinced a Grand Lodge that it was maintaining an erroneous position, and has led to a modification of its action. Decisions of Grand Masters and Grand Lodges are made more carefully, and, in fact, with all the consideration marking the judgments of the highest civil courts.

 

But, as in case of the civil law, and especially in consequence of the differences in views. of polity already noticed, uniformity of law has not been attained, and is not likely to prevail. Yet in essentials, and in all matters affecting the relations of Masons of different jurisdictions, friction and the liability to dissensions are year by year decreasing ; and although there must be differences as long as Masons are human, yet such progress has been made in the right direction that we may certainly look forward to the day when the Society will be one great Brotherhood united in a common purpose, in spite of its division into numerous governing organizations, each independent and the peer of all the rest.

 

Masonic Principles Unchangeable. ‑ The study of the history of Masonic jurisprudence suggests one danger to which allusion has already been made, a danger not very apparent, and, therefore, all the more difficult of avoidance. Freemasonry is an old Institution, with fixed, unchangeable principles, whose laws are intended to give effect to those principles; beyond this laws cannot properly go. But, especially in the domain of jurisprudence, there is a tendency, almost inevitable, to introduce modern ideas, and espe‑ 552 COSHOPOLITAN FREEH,4SONRY.

 

cially to construe the laws and shape the proceedings under them, according to the prevailing views of the time. This tendency is inherent in our natures, or rather in our education, and is not perceptible by those affected by it. As an illustration : there is reason to believe that the old usages of the Craft have been materially changed in the matter of discipline. It is now universally held that it is a necessary result of the fundamental principles of Freemasonry that a Mason shall not be deprived of any of his Masonic rights without an opportunity of being heard in his defence ; but a careful study of the early records shows that the usage of the Craft was that the lodge had plenary power over the individual Mason, and imposed any of the Masonic penalties whenever it deemed that the good of the Craft required it. If candidates know in advance that they hold their Masonic character only at the will of their brethren, they cannot complain of any breach of faith, if their brethren deprive them of it. Many are beginning to think that the old usage was the best, and that our laws, in their anxiety to protect the rights of the individual, have sacrificed the good of the Craft. The argument is, that if Masons had to depend on the good opinion of their brethren, they would be more circumspect ; that Masonic trials are too frequently the cause of dissension and discord ; and, more than all, that on account of the difficulty of obtaining and producing sufficient testimony as to specific acts, it is impossible to get rid of Masons really known by their brethren and the community to be unworthy of the Masonic character.

 

In this respect, however, our system has become too firmly established to be overthrown. It is undoubtedly the result of the abuses in former times of the procedure under the criminal laws. The change is a forcible illustration of the tendency to endeavor to "improve" Freemasonry and make it conform to the vacillating idea of men in different times.

 

The study of Masonic jurisprudence from the early times teaches most emphatically not only rigid adherence to the fundamental principles and Landmarks of the Society, unyielding resistance to all innovations however slight, and faithful obedience to the laws and usages of the Craft; but also that while in other relations one may lawfully do what is not prohibited, to the Mason whatever does not find a warrant in those Landmarks, laws, or usages is absolutely forbidden.

 

DIVISION XIII.

 

THE CAPITULAR DEGREES.

 

The Royal Arch as a Separate Degree in England and other parts of the British Empire. The Mark Master Mason's Degree as evolved in the United Kingdom. The several Grand Chapters, and the Royal Arch Systents of England, Ireland, and Scotland, including Mark Masonry, Mason's Marks, and Past Master's Degree. The Grand Chapters of Canada,Nova Scotia, Quebec, and New Brunswick. The General Grand Royal Arch Chapter, its origin, powers, and jurisdiction. State Grand Chapters, including the Independent Grated Chapters of Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia; separately considered, and. in alphabetical order, together with all Chapters holding charters from the General Grand Chapter. The Order of High Priesthood.

 

BY ALFRED F. CHAPMAN, P.‑.G.‑.G.‑.H.‑.P..

 

General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, U.S.A., etc., etc.

 

CHAPTER I.

 

EARLY HISTORY OF THE CAPITULAR RITE.

 

The Holy Royal Arch.‑Whatever may be said concerning the Royal Arch Degree, there is no question as to its importance in the Masonic world, nor as to the high place it holds in perfecting the Craft Degrees in England, and of being the fourth of the Capitular Degrees in America, as well as the seventh in the series of degrees peculiar to the American system.

 

Its origin has awakened inquiry, but, profound as has been the investigation, authorities have not ventured to give it an earlier date than about 1740. Soon after this it came into notice in England, stimulated by dissensions in London, between the " Ancients " and the " Moderns," arising in 1751; and this breach in the amicable relations between the brethren was not healed 553

 

 

 

554 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

until articles of union were adopted by the two Grand Lodges in 18113, wherein it was declared that "Pure 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." The "Ancients" and "Moderns."‑It will be as well here as later to speak of the disaffection which arose, in 1751, among certain of the brethren in London, who separated themselves from the regular lodges, began to hold meetings and to initiate candidates, without authority o Grand Lodge, Dr. Mackey quotes Thory, who "Attributes it to the fact that the Grand Lodge had introduced some innovations, altering the rituals and suppressing many of the ceremonies which had long been in use." Dermott and Preston agree that changes took place, although they (lifer somewhat as to time. This schismatic body of 1751 assumed the name of Ancient Masons, and styled the regular Grand Lodge of England, " Moderns." At about this period (1740), Laurence Dermott was made a Mason, and six years later a Royal Arch Mason ; and he, more than any other, seemed to have been the moving spirit in sustaining this great schism, during the latter part of the eighteenth century, to his decease in 1791. As might be expected, Dermott has been severely criticised by his opponents, and Laurie charges him with unfairness in his proceedings against the Moderns, with treating them bitterly, with quackery, with being vainglorious of his own pretensions to superior knowledge, and claims that he should be reprobated by Masons of every class, who are anxious to preserve the purity of the Order. In commenting upon this, Dr. Mackey says: ‑ " I am afraid there is much truth in this estimate of Dermott's character. As a polemic, he was sarcastic, bitter, uncompromising, and not altogether sincere or veracious.. But in intellectual attainments he was inferior to none of his adversaries, and in a philosophical appreciation of the character of the Masonic Institution he was in advance of the spirit of his age. Doubtless he dismembered the Third degree, and to him we owe the establishment of English Royal Arch Masonry. He had the assistance of Ramsay, but he did not adopt Ramsay's Scottish degree. Royal Arch Masonry, as we now have it, came from the fertile brain and intrepid heart of Dermott. It was finally adopted by his opponents in 1813, and it is hardly now a question that the change effected by him in the organization of the York Rite in 174o, has been of evident advantage to the service of Masonic symbolism." This latter estimate of Dermott commends itself as being nearer to the truth, especially in view of what has since been enacted; and here again the clear light in which Mackey has placed this will help to an understanding of what is of chief importance in comprehending the relations which the " Ancients " and the " Moderns " sustained toward each other, not only in Great Britain, but also in America: ‑ "The Grand Lodge of Ancient Masons was, shortly after its organization, recognized by the Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland, and, through tha ability and energy of its officers, but especially Laurence Dermott, at one time its Grand Secretary (1752) and afterwards its Deputy THE CAPITULAR DEGREES. 555 Grand Master, and the author of its Ahiman Rezon, or Book of Constitutions, it extended its influence and authority into foreign countries and into the British Colonies of America, where it became exceedingly popular, and where it organized several Provincial Grand Lodges, as, for instance, in Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and South Carolina, where the lodges working under this authority were generally known as ' Ancient York Lodges.' " In consequence of this, dissensions existed not only in the Mother Country, but also in America, for many years, between the lodges which derived their warrants from the Grand Lodge of Ancients and those which derived theirs from the regular or so‑called Grand Lodge of Moderns. But the Duke of Kent having been elected, in 1813, the Grand Master of the Ancients, while his brother, Duke of Sussex, was Grand Master of the Moderns, a permanent reconciliation was effected between the rival bodies, and by mutual compromises the present' United Grand Lodge of Ancient Freemasons of England' was established.

 

"Similar unions were consummated in America, the last being that of the two Grand Lodges in South Carolina, in 1817, and the distinction between the Ancients and the Moderns was forever abolished, or remains only as a melancholy page in the history of Masonic controversies." If it were desirable to extend inquiry as to these dissensions, the result would be of small profit, and of but little permanent advantage in Craft history. Dr. Dalcho, of South Carolina, spoke of these differences, and the cause of them, as though they were insignificant ; others have thought differently ; but, looking at them from this distance, it will be seen that more good than harm, to the general welfare of Freemasonry, has resulted from the schism.

 

In speaking of the " Ancients " and " Moderns," Dr. Mackey credits Dr. Dalcho, who was made in an "Ancient" lodge, with being acquainted with both systems, and claims that a comparison of his writings with those of Dermott shows that the Moderns made innovations in the ritual of little consequence possibly, but enough to awaken opposition, and to lead to the establishing of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Masons, out of which was evolved the Royal Arch Degree.

 

Other evidence, too reputable for successful denial, shows that the Ancients had marks claimed by them to have been known and given in the lodges which they left, but not given by the Moderns. In regard to this, Dermott says : ‑ "A Modern Mason may with safety communicate all his secrets to an Ancient Mason, but that an Ancient Mason cannot, with like safety, communicate all his secrets to a Modern Mason without further ceremony." History does not instruct us concerning the differences, and is specially silent as to esoteric matters. It is clear, however, that the construction of the Third degree and the introduction of the Royal Arch element were fruitful sources of difference. The Moderns asserted that they were " neither Royal Arch nor Ancient," while the latter contended that the former had made innovations, involving changes in the modes of recognition, and in the transposition of words. In regard to this Dr. Oliver says: ‑ "The division of the Third degree and the fabrication of the English Royal Arch appear, on their own showing, to have been the work of the Ancients." 556 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

. The Anderson Constitutions and the Ahiman Rezon. ‑ Up to the time of the schism, Anderson's "Constitutions of the Freemasons," originally published in 1723, was the foundation of the written law under which the Grand Lodge of England and lodges warranted by it, whether at home or in America, were governed. But when the Ancient York Masons established their Grand Lodge, they held it to be necessary to have their own Book of Constitutions. This was prepared and first published in 1756, by Laurence Dermott, under the title of "Ahiman Rezon," and these Constitutions continued to be the law of the Ancients until the union in 1813. The Book had great influence also in America, where many of the lodges and Grand Lodges derived their existence from the Ancients.

 

The Royal Arch Degree.‑The Moderns, or, as more justly styled, the Constitutional Grand Lodge, did not recognize the Royal Arch Degree, nor introduce it into their system, ofcially, until sixty‑two years later than did the Ancients. In 1765 the degree was worked by several "Modern" Masons in England ; and, in 1767, the Grand Chapter was formed by authority of Lord Blaney, the Immediate Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge. Dunckerley has been credited with its adoption, unofficially, by the " Moderns," but there is no evidence on that point, and Dr. Oliver, in naming the year 1776, doubtless referred to 1767, as before noted.

 

From what has been heretofore said, it appears that during 1751‑52, the Royal Arch Degree was adopted into the system of the "Grand Lodge of England according to the Old Constitutions," otherwise called the "Ancients," and later, the "Athol Grand Lodge." In 17671 the degree was virtually adopted by the " Constitutional Grand Lodge," or the " Moderns " ; " and in 1813 it was formally recognized as a part of the English Rite, or, series of degrees, by the United Grand Lodge." Consensus of Masonic Opinion. ‑ It is not within our purpose to push inquiry into the field of speculation merely, concerning the more remote origin of the Royal Arch Degree, for the reason, chiefly, that others have given their attention to this in so highly an intellectual manner, that it is quite unnecessary to risk what, after all, might prove to be a repetition. Brother Hughan, in his " Origin of the English Rite," alludes to and quotes the opinions of recognized Masonic authorities, to the effect that mutilation of the Third degree did not take place, consequently the Royal Arch Degree could not have been fabricated or evolved from that. But these are debatable points, to follow which would necessarily carry us back beyond that which we know, and lead us again into the maze.

 

Dermott inquired,‑in an address to the "Gentlemen of the Fraternity," " Whether it is possible to initiate or introduce a Modern Mason into a Royal Arch Lodge (the very essence of Masonry), without making him go through Ancient ceremonies? " 1 Since this work was brought out, we have traced the Royal Arch Degree at Fredericksburg, Virginia, in 1753.

 

 

 

THE CAPITULAR DEGREES. 559

 

This was in allusion to the differences between the "Ancients " and "Moderns," and goes to show his own belief in the existence of "`Ancient' ceremonies," without instructing us as to their origin.

 

Notwithstanding what we have said negatively as to speculation merely, it is desirable that some notice be taken of the opinions of various authors, touching the origin of the Royal Arch. In doing this, much must of necessity be left unsaid, to limit repetition; but enough may be said to indicate the drift of the story.

 

Dr. Oliver declared, that the degree "Is very properly denominated the English Royal Arch, for it was doubtless a fabrication of this country, and from hence was transmitted to every part of the world, where it now prevails." The doctor further says : ‑ The 'true word'was never lost, but transferred by the seceding brethren, at the great schism in 1740, to the Royal Arch, and in corroboration of this hypothesis, I have before me an old French engraving of the ichnography of a Master's lodge, dated in that very year, containing the usual emblems, and on the coffin the veritable word in Roman capitals. . . . The legend progressed throughout the greater part of the century, increasing in dimensions, and slightly varying in particulars, until it attained the form in which it now appears, and requires a portion of the Ineffable degrees to render the fable interesting, although by no means complete." Brother Hughan confesses his " Inability to decide which was the senior, the Continental, or the English Royal Arch, and as they had so much in common, the facts which are authenticated are not antagonistic to their having a somewhat similar beginning; but all we can say is, that their exact origin, and the names of the originators, have not yet been elucidated, though a fair approximate date may be fixed upon, vi r. : a year or two prior to x740‑for the period of their advent." He quotes Brother Joseph Robbins, of Illinois, to the effect that the mutila tion of the Third degree was a fiction, and says that "The real differences (between the Ancients and Moderns), consisted in additions, leaving the three degrees substantially as they were prior to the introduction of Royal Arch Masonry. We did not see this so clearly some years ago as we do now, having at that time relied upon well‑known authorities, but subsequent investigation led us to support the theory that we have virtually the Third degree as it was prior to x750." Concerning the introduction of the degree, our Brother says : ‑ " Inasmuch as it will be seen that the degree was worked in London and Dublin about ry4o, being some six years prior to Dermott's 'exaltation,' and ten or more before the ' Athol' Grand Lodge was started, it must be incorrect to credit the 'seceders' with the introduction of Royal Arch Masonry into this country." As to the degree, he " Favors the theory that a word was placed in the Royal Arch prominently, which was previously given in the sections of the Third degree, and known as 'the ancient word of a Master Mason.' We understand it is still so communicated in some Master Mason's lodges on the Continent, and we know that it is to be found on old tracing‑boards of early last century." Early Reliable History. ‑ Leaving the province of debate for that of history, it is clear that the earliest reliable record in English Royal Arch 56o COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

Masonry was brought to the knowledge of the public by Brother T. B Whytehead, in the columns of The Freemason, London, in November, 1879. This painstaking and scholarly brother quotes Brother Hughan as having presented the treasurer's book of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons at York, to the York Lodge, which says: " A most sublime Royal Arch Chapter was opened on the 8th February, 1778." This, ‑says Brother Whytehead, ‑ " In connection with the earlier minute‑book just come to light, completes the chain of Royal Arch history at York from the 7th February, 1762, to the roth September, r781." It appears that this York Lodge was granted a warrant January 12, 1761, held its first meeting, February 2d, "at Mrs. Chuddock's, at the Punch Bowl, in Stonegate," and in the following year, "on Sunday, February 7, 1762, a most Sublime, or Royal Arch Lodge, opened at the sign of the Punch Bowl." The historian here relied on copied the first minute exactly, and we reproduce it: ‑ "A Most Sublime or Royal Arch Lodge open'd at the Sign of the Punch Bowl in Stonegate, York, on Sunday the 7th of February 1762. Present: " Frodsham, P. H.

 

"Oram, Z. L. in the Chairs.

 

"Granger, J. A. " Owen.

 

"At this Lodge, Brothers Burton, Palmes, Tucker, and Dodgson petition'd to be raised to the 4th Degree of Masonry, commonly call'd the Most Sublime or Royal Arch, were accepted and accordingly made." This record is significant of the fact that the Royal Arch Degree was already well known, otherwise the words " commonly called the Most Sublime or Royal Arch " were used without regard to the truth, an admission which the most thoughtless would not care to make.

 

The title‑page, carefully copied by Brother Whytehead, fully sustains the claim of prior knowledge of the degree, as the reading will show: ‑ " Minute‑book belonging to the Most Sublime Degree or Order of Royal Arch appertaining to the Grand Lodge of All England, held at the City of York, x762." It is noticeable that the meetings of this Royal Arch Lodge were held at somewhat irregular intervals, but always on Sunday, until August 17, 1768, when the day of meeting was changed to Wednesday.

 

As an historic fact, it should be memorable that the word CHAPTER, as applied to the Lodge, was used for the first time in the record of April 29, 17 ; and, in alluding to this, Brother Whytehead says : ‑ "It is noteworthy That this is the first minute in which the body is entitled ' Chapter, preò viously it having been always denominated a ' Lodge."' First Titles of Presiding Officers. ‑The titles given to the presiding officers, up to June 3, 1772, were then changed from P. H., Z. L., and J. A., to S., H. T., and H. A. We do not know of any reason for questioning the THE CAPITULf1R DEGREES.

 

561 interpretation given to the first three, by Brother Whytehead, who imagines them to stand for Propheta, Haggai; Zerubbabel, Legislator; and Jeshua, Armiger. As to the other three, the initials are of such familiar application, that further explanation need not be attempted.

 

The entries in this record book were not made with complete regularity, as many blank pages were left, indicating that rough minutes were taken but never entered in the book, as was no doubt intended. This custom had its parallel in St. Andrew's Chapter, in Boston, Massachusetts. The rough minutes on slips of paper were kept with similar lack of entry in the record book, where the blank pages are still as mute as those of its English fellow; and, what seems remarkable, the blanks in each case occur during a great portion of the same period, the last entry in the York record book being made January 6, 17 76.

 

First Known Rules and Orders.‑The first entry in the second record book was of February 8, 11778, when Sunday was again adopted as the day of meeting. The titles of the chair officers remained as S., H. T., and H. A. throughout ; and here too is recorded the fact that " Rules and Orders of the Grand Chapter of All England " were established. These rules are of much historical importance, inasmuch as they determine that fees shall be paid for warrants; that "annual returns of members" shall be made to Grand Chapter; that all `.1 by‑laws" be subject to the approval of Grand Chapter; that "No innovation in the business of the Chapter" shall be made, "and if any doubts should arise, they must always be referred to the Grand Chapter for decision"; "That they shall contribute annually to the Grand Chapter at York, so much as they reasonably can, towards the fund to be employed to benevolent and advantageous purposes "; " That no man of bad or immoral character be admitted a companion, nor any one until he hath passed the several probationary degrees of Craft Masonry, and thereby obtained the necessary passport as a reward for services." These rules further provide, that "no man shall be admitted for an unworthy consideration," but for the promotion of " peace and harmony," and for the encouragement of whatever may be for the "common welfare." An analysis of the " Principia to be observed by all Regularly Constituted Chapters of the Degree of Royal Arch," shows that the constitutions and rules which now obtain in the Grand Chapters of America are but parts and counterparts of this York original, and lead to the conclusion that the rules then recorded were not new, but were well known in practice, among brethren of the Royal Arch degree.

 

The Term " Companion." ‑As an item of peculiar significance, let it be remembered that the words "admitted a Companion" establish beyond any question the fact that " Companion " is not of recent, nor of American parentage; but that it, like much else that is obscure in Freemasonry, had its origin at a time when the penman's skill and the printer's craft were not trusted with a complete knowledge of the inner life of the Ancient Fraternity.

 

The Mark Degree in England.‑The Mark Degree had been worked in England, in lodges held under immemorial usage, derived, we are told, from 562 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

the old Athol York Grand Lodge. The United Grand Lodge declined to adopt the degree into its system, as it was pledged under the articles of union to acknowledge the three Craft Degrees only, including the Royal Arch.

 

Effort, however, was not wanting on the part of brethren who wished to cultivate the Mark Degree, and this secured the adoption of an opinion by Grand Lodge, in March, 1856, that the degree is "not positively essential, but a graceful appendage to the degree of Fellow Craft." It is not of sufficient importance to trace in detail the introduction of the degree, nor to name the several immemorial lodges in which it was known to have been worked. In 1856 measures were concerted for uniting all Mark Master Masons in an organization, and this resulted in establishing the " Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England and Wales, and the Colonies and Dependencies of the British Crown." The first meeting was held in June, 1856, and, to carry out the general desire, a meeting was held on May 30, 1857, "of representatives from all existing Mark lodges in England, wherever they could be found." At this meeting report was made |' in favor of a general union of all Mark lodges upon equal terms in a Grand Mark Lodge." Some of these lodges held under authority from Scotland, against the opinion of those under England; but the final and complete union was secured on terms satisfactory to all concerned. Thus far Right Hon. Lord Leigh had been Grand Master, and the ten || old [time immemorial] lodges " in England, together with seven lodges holding from Scotland, acknowledged the supremacy of the Grand Lodge. At this meeting, June, 186o, Right Hon. the Earl of Carnarvon was elected Grand Master.

 

The care, almost amounting to judicial delay, with which this Supreme body was brought into existence, gives authority to its historical papers ; and the work done by itself as to the beginning of the Mark Degree, is so complete that, whatever else we shall say, will, in the main, be from a report on the " Origin of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England, etc., as set forth by Order of the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons." This report opens by saying: ‑ "There is probably no degree in Freemasonry that can lay claim to greater antiquity than those of Mark Man or Mark Mason, and Mark Master Mason.

 

"In A.D. 1598, William Schaw, Master of Works to King James VI., orders the Marks of all Masons to be inserted in their work.

 

"In the seventeenth century, Mother Kilwinning Lodge made members choose their Marks. and charged them four shillings each." In 1865 a report was made in Grand Chapter of Scotland, that " In this country from time immemorial, and long before the institution of the Grand Lodge of Scotland (in 1736), what is now known as the Mark Masters' degree, was wrought by the Operative lodges of St. John's Masonry." In a conference of delegates in 1871, ‑ representing the Grand Lodge and THE CAPITULAR DEGREES.

 

563 Grand Chapter of Scotland, the Grand Chapter of Ireland, and the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons of England,‑on the subject of the "Position of the Mark Degree in England," Brother Frederick Binckes said: ‑ " I believe there are some Mark lodges in the North that have documents to show that they worked upwards of a hundred years ago. The Minerva Lodge, at Hull, has worked the Mark Degree, if I am rightly informed, almost, if not quite, from its formation in 1782." Brother Andrew Kerr, Grand Lodge of Scotland, spoke of very old lodges in Scotland, developing from Operative into Speculative lodges, and showed that in the " Lodge of Edinburgh, Mary's Chapel, the members signed the books with their Marks"; also, that it was ordained in 1598, that on. receiving a Fellow Craft or Master, his name and "'.Mark " should be |' inserted in the same book." Enough has been said to show that the custom of choosing a 1| Mark," and placing it on the work of the Operative Mason, is a very old one, and that the "Mark Degree was regularly worked in many lodges, meeting under one or the other of the two Constitutions, as well as under the authority of the Grand Lodge, meeting from time immemorial at York." One other extract from the report to the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons, previously referred to, to show the antiquity of the degree, as well as the position it then occupied, and this subject can be left in the keeping of the brethren : ‑ "On January 7th, A.D. 1778, the Banff Operative Lodge resolved: 'That in time coming, all members that shall hereafter raise to the degree of Mark Mason, shall pay one merk Scots, but not to obtain the degree of Mark Mason before they are passed Fellow Craft: and those that shall take the degree of Mark Master Mason shall pay one shilling and sixpence sterling unto the Treasurer for behoofe of the Lodge. None to attain the degree of Mark Master Mason until they are raised Master.' This shows clearly the relative positions of the degrees of Mark Mason or Mark Man, and Mark Master Mason, to each other, and to the Operative Craft. Every Operative Mason, or Fellow Craft, being obliged to be made a Mark Man or Mark Mason, before he could' Mark' his work. While the degree of Mark Master Mason was confined to those, who, as Masters of lodges or Master Masons, had been chosen to rule over the Fellow Crafts." Mark Masonry has further attention in connection with the Royal Arch in Scotland. ' The Royal Arch System in Ireland. ‑ In correspondence in connection with the "Conference of Delegates, relating to the Mark Degree, in 1871," Right Worthy Brother Robert W. Shekleton, Deputy Grand Master of Ireland, wrote to Brother F. Binckes, Grand Secretary of Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons, as follows: ‑ " In Ireland the Mark Degree is worked exclusively under the control of the Grand Chapter. No separate warrants are issued to hold Mark lodges; but Royal Arch chapters are, by virtue of their Royal Arch warrants, alone empowered to work the Mark Degree. There are separate certificates, if desired, for the Mark Degree, as it can be conferred on a Master Mason at any time after he has obtained that degree, whereas he must have been registered in Grand Lodge books as a Master Mason for six months before he can get the Royal Arch Degree." This statement by Brother Shekleton places the position of the Mark 564, COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

Degree, in Ireland, clearly enough, though it does not fix the period of its introduction. This, however, is obscure; but the indications are that it was introduced into the Irish system at a period corresponding pretty closely to the time of its earliest known appearance in England.

 

As to the Royal Arch Degree, we can safely accept the opinion of Brother Hughan, quite recently given in his || History of Apollo Lodge," p. 92, wherein he says: ‑ "Whatever the Royal Arch may have been at this period [17441, it maybe taken as established that the ceremony was worked at York, London, and Dublin, about 1740, in a systematic manner." The degree was met with in 1752, says Hughan, under the Ancients, and again in 1759, when a Brother Carroll, from Ireland, an "Ancient," was refused relief by Grand Secretary Spencer, who replied: ‑ " Our Society is neither Arch, Royal Arch, nor Ancient, so that you have no right to partake of our charity." We cannot do better than to rely on the following statement by Brother Hughan, that "The degree or ceremony was known years prior to the inauguration of the schismatic Grand Lodge of 171; hence neither that body, nor its energetic Grand Secretary, Laurence Dermott, can be credited with its origin, although it is probable that their recognition of the degree gradually led to its adoption in England, officially and generally." In recognition of recent investigation, made and being made in Ireland, it will be well to note that the introduction of the Royal Arch Degree into Ireland has been credited to Laurence Dermott; but there does not appear to be sufficient evidence to prove this claim. As to the exact date of its introduction, opinion is less certain. The evidence, however, is ample to show that the |' higher degrees " were conferred, until a comparatively recent date, under a Lodge warrant.

 

Francis C. Crossle, Provincial Grand Secretary of Down, who has given much attention to antiquarian Masonic research in Ireland, says: ‑ "The system of conferring the Royal Arch and Knight Templar degrees under the Craft warrant seems to have been of Scottish origin; but that it received pretty universal acceptance in this country is manifest from the fact that, so early as 1779, the ' High Knight Templar of Ireland, Kilwinning Lodge, Dublin, was in the habit of conferring 'The Chair, 'The Excellent, 'The Super‑Excellent,' ' The Royal Arch, ' The Knight Templar, and 'The Prince Rose Croix.' So far, however, from being invested with any authority for such a practice, the charter of this lodge simply authorized the formation of a lodge for conferring the three degrees of Craft Masonry." The same authority says, the " Custom of conferring the higher degrees, under the sole authority of a Craft warrant, was the rule, and not the exception; . . . nor was it until the year 1836 that the Grand Priory, and 1834 that the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Ireland, assumed the reins of government, and reduced to order the system which at present obtains." American readers will notice that |1 the Excellent," |1 the Super‑Excellent," "the Royal Arch," and " Knight Templar " correspond with those conferred THE CAPITULAR DEGREES.

 

565 in St. Andrew's Royal Arch Chapter, in Boston, Massachusetts, as shown by its records of August z8, 17 69. "The Chair," as standing alone, does not appear to have been used in the latter body, as applied to a degree, though the terms, `| Passed the Chair," |' Secrets belonging to the Chair," and " Duties of the Chair," no doubt allude to the same ceremony, now known in America as the Past Master's degree.

 

It is not cleat as to how early the degree of Installed Master was worked in Ireland; but that it was evolved out of the Royal Arch Degree seems to be the opinion of Gould and other Masonic authorities.

 

Brother Crossle submitted various seals, warrants, collars, certificates, and other matters of evidence, all going to show the close connection between the three Craft degrees and the || higher degrees," and that the latter were conferred under the Lodge, or Craft warrant. In this line he said: ‑ "The books of St. Patrick's Lodge, No. 77, Newry, also record the fact that The Mark, The Royal Arch, and Knight "Templar degrees were systematically conferred under the sanction of their Craft warrant." This Lodge is the eighth oldest in Ireland, and celebrated its one hundred and fiftieth anniversary on December 27, 1887. Included in his exhibit were the "Royal Arch and Knight Templar seals belonging to Lodge No. 205, which was originally, in the year 1749, connected with the 35th Regiment." Several aprons were shown, in which the blue, red, and black colors were used on the borders of each, |` denoting that the wearer was, in virtue of his exaltation to the higher degrees of Royal Arch and Knight Templar Masonry, entitled to add the colors of the red and black to the blue trimming to his Craft apron." The cldest of these aprons could not have been worn by its owner at an earlier date than the latter part of the year i81o.

 

As already shown, the Grand Royal Arch Chapter did not assume control of Royal Arch Masonry in Ireland until 1834. An effort, however, had been made, in 1813, to have the Grand Lodge recognize the Royal Arch Degree, but this was met by a vote of censure on the brother who proposed it. Brother Crossle says : ‑ "This makes it abundantly clear, that no other degrees were recognized by the Grand Lodge of Ireland than the simple three authorized by the earliest Grand Lodges." The higher degrees, including the Royal Arch, the Knight Templar, and the Knight of Malta, as well as others heretofore named, were worked under a Lodge warrant, without interference by Grand Lodge, which must have had knowledge of the fact, although it did not recognize the degrees. Evidently the brethren interested came together, formed under a Lodge warrant, and conferred the higher degrees. Indeed, Brother Crossle shows that, as late as August 5, 1830, "A Grand Chapter was opened, when the degrees of Arch Mason, Knight Templar, and Knight of Malta " were conferred on three brethren whose names are given in the record.

 

566 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

The Royal Arch System in Scotland. ‑ If one were looking for reasons why so little is known of the origin of Royal Arch Masonry, a strong one comes uppermost; and this is so well expressed in the " Introduction " to the " Laws of the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland " that we present it here : ‑ " But with regard to Royal Arch Masonry, no certain evidence has been brought forward to point out the epoch when, or the individuals by whom, it was brought to Britain. One principal cause of the obscurity which hangs over this branch of the science is, that while St. John's Masonry has been always connected with public buildings, the greater part of the Royal Arch Masonry, including the Royal Arch degree itself, was practised only in private.

 

"In Scotland, as well as in England and Ireland, there has always been a close connection between Royal Arch Masonry and Masonic Templarism; and scarcely half a century has elapsed since these were placed under two distinct governing bodies. In the Stirling Ancient Lodge are still preserved two old, rudely engraved brass plates : one of these relates to the first two degrees of Masonry; the other contains on the one side certain emblems belonging to a Master's lodge, and on the reverse, five figures; the one at the top is called the' Redd Cross, or Ark,' at the bottom is a series of concentric arches, which might be mistaken for a rainbow, were there not a key‑stone at the summit, indicative of an arch." This authority also says that the Royal Arch Chapter of Stirling was originally formed for the higher degrees formerly practised, if not by, at least under the connivance of, the Stirling Ancient Lodge.' " No minute‑book, however, seems to have been kept prior to 1743, or if kept, it has been lost, or perhaps carried away during the time of the Rebellion. This minute‑book of 1743 is the oldest written record now extant; and no other chapter in Scotland has been able to show documentary evidence in its Ltvor of an earlier date than 1765, although in these years the chapters were already accounted old and in full operation." Whatever may be thought of the two old brass plates held by the Stirling Ancient Lodge, with their "series of concentric arches," they were thought to be of sufficient importance for mention in the introduction to the " Laws and Regulations" of the Grand Chapter of Scotland, edition of 1869, and of consequence in tracing the origin of the Royal Arch degree. Old and rude they are said to be, but the latter, as applied to the engraving, is evidence not only of antiquity, but also of a desire to teach by symbols. This is in harmony with the genius of Freemasonry of every age, and conveys a lesson quite as strong as words, expressive of a wish to conceal from the uninitiated a knowledge of Craft mysteries, common to members of the Fraternity. We are told that "the age of these plates is unknown, but they can scarcely be more modern than the beginning or middle of the seventeenth century," a period in the history of Masonic degrees when the five senses were more completely relied upon for receiving and communicating Masonic information than is common now, even with the ritual.

 

[1 The Stirling plates, and the records of the Royal Arch,of 1743, have never been exhibited within the memory of any Companion; and, although Brother Hughan has repeatedly challenged their production, neither the one nor the other have been produced. Brother Hughan believes they never existed. The earliest actual minute of conferring that degree known, is the year 1753. and is preserved at Fredericksburg, Virginia. ‑ ED.] THE CAPITULAR DEGREES.

 

567 The suggestion that these concentric arches might be mistaken for a rain' bow gives force to a question in the "Mason's Examination," of 1723: "Whence comes the pattern of an Arch?" "Answer. From the Rainbow." Whether this ancient symbol was the germ from which the Royal Arch degree sprung, we. do not venture a suggestion ; nor need we inquire concerning it with any hope that history will reveal the secret. We do know, however, that Royal Arch Masonry is securely established in Scotland, where, as we are assured, ‑ "The Royal Arch degree has now a separate head, and can never again be disjoined from Masonry; and however unimportant those who have never had the patience, or zeal to break the shell and penetrate to the kernel may deem it, it will long continue to flourish, and prove one of the strongest supports of Truth, Peace, and Concord." The Degrees Conferred. ‑ Before further inquiry is made concerning Royal Arch Masonry in Scotland, it will be well to learn the names of the several degrees recognized there. These are stated in the Constitution in the following language : ‑ " The Supreme Chapter practises and recognizes no degrees of Masonry but those of Mark Master, Past Master,t Excellent, Royal Arch, Royal Ark Mariner, the Babylonish Pass (which last is commonly called the Red Cross degree, and is composed of three points, viz.: Knights of the Sword, Knights of the East, and Knights of the East and West), and the three Installation degrees." This section should be read in connection with Article XVI., Sec. 26 : ‑ "All chapters holding of the Supreme Chapter of Scotland are entitled to grant the following degrees, viz.: Mark, Past, Excellent, and Royal Arch." We must be careful here not to confound a Grand Chapter with a chapter holding under it. The former takes control of degrees not permitted to the latter, as shown in Art. XVI., Sec. 26.

 

Mark Masonry.‑ In a chapter on || Mark Masonry," Laurie gives a good deal of space to the "Marks" of the workmen, including the use of the "Mark," and a large number of illustrations, ranging in date from r 128 to that of '1 Robert Burns, inscribed upon the Bible presented by him to ` Highland Mary.' " He also speaks of the manner of giving instruction in reading the Marks, and gives the following interesting. dialogue: ‑ "' How many points has your Mark got?' "' Three points.' "' To what do they allude ?' "'To the three points of an equilateral triangle.' "' Please demonstrate it as an Operative Mason.

 

"'A point has position, without length, breadth, or thickness; a line has length, without breadth or thickness, and terminates in two points; and three lines of equal length, placed at equal angles to each other, form an equilateral triangle,‑which is the primary figure in geometry.' "`Please to explain this figure as a Speculative Mason.

 

"'The equilateral triangle represents the Trinity in Unity, ‑The Great Architect of the Universe, having no material form, exists, pervading all space; the Creator of itll things, Governor of all animate and inanimate nature, Fountain of Wisdom: Whose greatness, perfection, and glory is incomprehensible, and Whose loving‑kindness and tender mercies are over all His other works."' 1 The Grand Chapter of Scotland has dropped the Past Master's degree.

 

568 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

In classing the workmen, due regard is had for the manner in which they were ranked at the building of King Solomon's Temple, and made familiar in America in the Master's degree.

 

The Mark Master is regarded as an Overseer, and is thus referred to : ‑ The duty of the Foreman, or, as he is occasionally designated, the Mark Overseer, was to direct and instruct the Fellow Crafts or Markmen in the details of the work upon which they were engaged, and see that it was completed, according to the plan furnished." In regard to the Ritual used in Scotland, " Instructions " for each degree are provided, and those for the Mark may be inferred from the following explanation by Laurie : ‑ " The Form of Initiation and legend of the Mark Overseer is of an Eastern character, referring to the preparation of the materials for building Solomon's Temple at Jerusalem, and navigating the rafts on which they were conveyed along the coast of the Great (i.e., Mediterranean) Sea, guided by a light‑house situated on one of the peaks of Mount Lebanon. The Speculative lecture inculcates a constant practice of the principles of morality, in every position in life, beautifully illustrated by the operations of the Mason, under the guidance of scientific rules fashioning with persevering industry the rude block into the perfect form, having it approved and marked for its place in the intended building; and applying the illustration both to the upbuilding of the individual mind as well as to the moral fabric of society, and pointing to the hope that all may become living stones of God's own temple. Such a system of scientific and moral discipline was evidently well adapted to the circumstances of the Craftsman, whose associations required him frequently to wander to great distances, in search of employment, and while residing among strangers, enabled him to teach by his example, and to live in concord and good fellowship among the members of the Craft with whom his labors were associated." Masons' Marks. ‑One of the first to point out the existence of Masons' Marks on Ecclesiastical and other buildings of any considerable importance, was George Godwin, an eminent architect, but not a Freemason. Brother E. W. Shaw is credited with having devoted years of study to this subject, and with having made a most remarkable collection of Marks, amounting to several thousands in number. He regarded these as being the Marks of the various Masons, their object being "the recognition of individual work and payment of individual work." So close was his study that he pointed out the Marks of French Masons in Fountains' Abbey as being somewhat different from the Marks of English Masons. It appears also that these Marks were handed down from father to son, and that the Marks of various members of one family could be distinguished by some peculiar variation or additional symbol.

 

There is an interesting story of the " Antiquity of a Mark," in the Liberal Freemason for December, 1883, illustrating this practice. Shames Barness, modernized into James Barnes, born in Scotland in February, 1728, received, by inheritance, a Mark that was known to have been in' the family a long time. This Mark is the ducal crown of the clan, and was transmitted to his son Robert, and so down to William Wylie Barnes, who was made a Mason in Caledonian Lodge, No. 254, in 1869, and a Royal Arch Mason in Union THE CAPITULAR DEGREES.

 

571 Chapter, No. 6, in 187o, both in Dundee, Scotland. It is now registered in the books of Mystic Chapter, in Medford, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

 

William received this Mark from his grandfather, David Barnes, in 1869, his father, Robert John Barnes, not being a Mason. In this family was another Mark, a cross and motto, ‑ thus, " Vitum ‑j‑ Dirigat," ‑ which David stated had been in the family for ages, and that it had been brought back "from the wars by Sir Hugh." David Barnes died in 1876, aged ninety‑six years.

 

The traditions associated with the Marks in this family of Shames Barness help to give color to the claim of relationship between Royal Arch Masonry and Masonic Templarism, and invests the Mark of the " Cross and Motto " with peculiar significance. The statement by the sturdy Scotch grandfather, at the age of eighty‑nine years, to his grandson William in 1869, that this Mark " had been in the family for ages," and that it was brought back " from the wars by Sir Hugh," runs in similar lines, and suggests the possibility of points of contact detected in the East by the early Templars [viVe Bishop Perry's opinion in this work], and that these points have been utilized in building the degrees as recognized by the Grand Chapter of Scotland, and named in its Constitution.

 

For those who may be specially interested in the Marks of the workmen, the reproduction of " Masons' Marks," in this work, ‑ which comprise Marks from various historic edifices in Europe, and the East, many of them now published for the first time,‑will be found particularly valuable. This was compiled by Brother Hughan, and includes selections from his private collection. Laurie, D. Murray Lyon, and R. F. Gould, have, also, given numerous illustrations in their respective histories of Freemasonry.

 

In speaking of Marks, Brother Lyon says: ‑ "The registration of Craftsmen's Marks, provided for in those laws that are known to have been promulgated in the sixteenth century for the regulation of the then existing Scotch lodges, was the perpetuation of a custom that had prevailed in the building fraternity for ages." The Schaw Statutes, of 1598, require that the name of each newly admitted "fellow of craft or maister" be inserted in the Lodge‑book; but this does not establish the existence of the Mark Degree, as such. As a matter of fact, the degree does not appear to have been worked by the lodge journeyman until about 1789 The earliest record known, relating to the existence of the Mark Degree in Scotland, is given by the distinguished Masonic historian, Brother William J. Hughan, in an extract from the records of " Lodge Operative, Banff," under date of January 7, 1778: ‑ " That in time coming, all members that shall hereafter raise to the degree of Mark Meson, shall pay one merk Scots, but not to obtain the degree of Mark Mason before they are passed Fellow Craft: and those that shall take the degree of Mark Master Masons shall pay one shilling and sixpence sterling unto the Treasurer for behoofe of the lodge, None to attain to the degree of Mark Master Mason until they are raised Master." This record shows, by implication, that the Mark Degree was known prior 572 to January 7, 1778, but that its place in Masonic degrees had not been fixed. It must have been considered of consequence also, because of the formality and precision of the record. Whatever else may be desirable in the way of information concerning this degree, and of the period when it was introduced into Scotland, much must be left to conjecture. This, however, is settled the degree was given its rank in the series permitted by the Constitution of the " Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland," to be conferred by chapters of its obedience, on January 7, 1778, and this will conclude further remarks concerning it, under this Constitution.

 

Past Degree. ‑ Laurie describes the " Chair or Past Master " as being worked in a separate apartment, with none but Past Masters present. The Master‑elect is examined as to his qualifications, and if he is found to be competent to discharge the duties of Master of a lodge, he is obligated by the Past Masters, and " receives a word, sign, and token." Report is made to the Lodge accordingly. He further says: ‑ "Few Speculative references are attached to the ceremonial, it being properly only an obliga.

 

tion guaranteeing to the Lodge that the Master will act faithfully and properly towards them." It' is not clear when this degree came to be adopted into the Royal Arch system. That it is there is shown by what has already been quoted from the Constitution, while the presumption is that the degree is one of growth or evolution. Certain it is that the earlier Masons employed terms now familiar in the degree, and as properly descriptive of it as though of recent date.

 

As late as 1859 Laurie gave it a sort of dual place, as if the Grand Chapter and the Grand Lodge each could work it. He says of it : ‑ "Although this is now frequently communicated by Royal Arch chapters as a separate degree, with a formal initiatory‑ceremonial, embracing words, signs, and tokens, it belongs to the Order of Craft Masonry, and is still practised by many of the lodges in the Third degree, but is only communicated to the newly elected Master when about to be installed." This paragraph shows the transition of the degree from the Lodge to the Chapter, together with the fact that the Chapter had adopted it as a separate degree; and further, that the Lodge communicates it to the newly elected Master only, at a time prior to his installation, a ceremony too familiar to Masters and Past Masters of lodges to need repetition.

 

As to the antiquity of the degree, it will be safer to regard it as one of be able to say, beyond question, when or can show a similarity of terms, or idiomatic growth or evolution have crystallized into this sometimes abused degree.

 

It needs no argument to show that a time was when apprentices had all the secrets that could be conveyed to || fellows of craft or maisters," and Laurie repeats : ‑ "That, about the middle of the seventeenth century, apprentices were not only eligible for, but evolution; for, while we may not where it first found recognition, we expressions, which by a process of actually filled, the offices of Deacon and Warden in the Lodge of Kilwinning; and that about the THE CAPITULAR DEGREES.

 

573 close of the same century [1693] the Lodge recognized' passing'‑ i.e., a promotion to fellowshipsimply as an 'honor and dignity.'" This description of "passing," as an "honor and dignity," applies to the Past degree of the Chapter, and suggests the possibility that here was the germ from which it grew; although the term "passing " was used in speaking of the qualifications of " prentices," as early as September 1, 17 16. On December 2 7, 17 20, the same word was employed in a more extended sense. Under this date the records of Lodge Dunblane Saint John contain this minute: ‑ "Compeared John Gillespie, writer in Dunblane, who was entered on the 24th instant, and after examination was duly passt from the Square to the Compass, and from. an Entered Prentice to a Fellow of Craft of this Lodge." Similar entries follow, but none to show that the Past degree was known to have any existence as a degree.

 

In his " Origin of the English Rite," Brother Hughan tells us that at a " Lodge of Emergency " on November 30, 1769, at Bolton, four brethren were installed Masters," and that the historians say : ‑ "This is the first record of brethren being made installed Masters, or' passing the Chair, in order to qualify them for the Royal Arch." The same istinguished author says : ‑ " There were nine brethren exalted on 29th December, 1768, and of these nine, three had not served in the chair before their exaltation." . . . " This is noteworthy, because even at this period Virtual or Honorary, instead of Actual Past Masters were eligible for Royal Arch Masonry." Only this in addition need be said concerning this degree of Past Master. The date given by Brother Hughan is explicit and carries the known practice of the degree back to that period in England. As to the time when it was first introduced into Royal Arch Masonry in Scotland, historians are compara tively silent. The inference is sustained that its adoption would be at about the period of the || Bolton " date given by Brother Hughan.

 

As to its recognition by the Grand Lodge of Scotland, Brother D. Murray Lyon tells us that it was "During the Grand Mastership [of Lord Rosslyn] and at the February Communication of 1872, Grand Lodge for the first time recognized the Past Master's ceremonial of Installation. This was sanctioned, not with the view of inaugurating a higher or other degree of Masonry, but of authorizing the use of the ritual of Installed Masters as used in England, so as to remove the disqualification which hitherto prevented Scotch Past Masters being present at the installation of Masters in English lodges." Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Canada.‑As a political agency, the "Dominion of Canada'' was unknown when "The Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Canada " was organized; the great " North‑west " was an outlying territory, better known in connection with Hudson Bay than as containing Provinces; while the people of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick were accustomed to speak of Upper and Lower Canada as if they were far‑off countries, 574 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

very remotely concerned in the civil and religious affairs of the "Maritime Provinces." Under such circumstances, the Freemasons of the two Canadas had but little fraternal intercourse with those of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick; and the latter had closer intimacy, because of more easy water carriage, with their brethren in the United States.

 

The Masonic authorities under which the Freemasons in these several Provinces held were the same; each was a British Province, and, in harmony with their system, the Grand Lodges of England, Ireland, and Scotland had established lodges in the two Canadian Provinces (now Quebec and Ontario), and Royal Arch chapters followed the lead of the Craft degrees.

 

The printed proceedings of the Grand Chapter of Canada show that the oldest chapter is "Ancient Frontenac," in Kingston, established in 1797. This Chapter, now No. 1 on the Canada Registry, did not take part in the Convention held in Hamilton, January 19, 1857, which organized "The Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Canada." Three chapters were represented in Convention, to wit: The Hiram Chapter, in Hamilton, established in 1820 ; St. John's, in London, 1844 ; and St. John's, in Hamilton, established in 1855. These are now NOS. 2, 3, and 6, respectively, Canadian Registry. As a matter of fact, the records show that seven chapters had been established at the time when the Convention was held. These were the four already mentioned, together with St. Andrew's, in Toronto, in 1847 ; St. George's, 1854, in London; Moira, 1856, in Belleville ; and these chapters are now numbered, of Canadian Registry, from 1 to 7, in the order indicated.

 

At the outset the Convention adopted the Constitution of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of England, mutatis mutandis, but to " assimilate with the usages of Royal Arch Masonry in the United States," the three degrees, not recognized by the Grand Chapter of England, were adopted, viz. : "The Mark Master, Past Master, and Most Excellent Master Masons' degrees, shall be taken by all persons, to entitle them to be admitted to membership in any Chapter under this jurisdiction, but that Royal Arch Masons who may have taken their degrees in any regularly warranted Chapter under any other jurisdiction, may be admitted as visitors to any Chapter in this Province, when working in the Royal Arch degree, or in any degree which such visitor may have taken under a regularly warranted Lodge or Chapter." The adoption of the foregoing delayed recognition by the Grand Chapter of England, which said it could not " Consistently with its duty, entertain official relations with a body which holds, as essential to admission within its pale, the possession of degrees which are not recognized by the Grand Lodge, or the Grand Chapter of England." Correspondence followed this declination, and official relations were soon established between the Supreme Grand Chapter of England and the Grand Chapter of Canada, on the basis that English Royal Arch Masons can enter THE CAPITULAR DEGREES.

 

575 Canada chapters, and remain during the entire " ceremony of exaltation," even though they " are not in possession of those intermediate degrees of Mark, Past Master, and Most Excellent." Necessarily, this was a limited recognition, emphasized further in the closing part of the same communication from William Gray Clarke, G. S. E., under date of February 1o, i86o, as follows: " I am instructed to state that in the name and on behalf of the Supreme Grand Chapter of England, they‑the Grand Principals‑fully recognize the Grand Chapter of Canada, reserving, however, to all Chapters now in Canada, who are still holding charters under the Grand Chapter of England, as also to all English Royal Arch Masons, all their rights, titles, and privileges, as fully and freely as though the Grand Chapter of Canada had not been formed." Naturally enough, it was only a matter of time when opinions would differ as to the construction of the words of reservation. This arose early in 1861, when the Grand Chapter of England, by charter, attached a chapter to |' Dalhousie Lodge, No. 835 (E. R.), at Ottawa, Canada West." Against this Canada protested, but admitted the right of chapters of prior date, of English Registry, to make Royal Arch Masons of Master Masons, whether of English or Canadian Registry; denying, however, that any new charter or authority to work the Royal Arch degree, to be attached to or granted to any existing lodge of English Registry, in Canada, could be granted, under the terms of recognition.

 

The Grand Chapter of England cited the terms of Union, in 1813, " including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch," and said: ‑ "That under the arrangement entered into between the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter of England, and the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter of Canada, they have not only the right, but are bound to afford to all Lodges and Masons in Canada, holding under the Grand Lodge of England, the means of completing, under the English Constitution, their degrees, if they do not already possess them, by attaching a Chapter to each Lodge." It is difficult to deny the logical correctness of this reasoning, though it may not be to the liking of the Grand Chapter of Canada. England includes the Royal Arch degrees in her Craft system; Canada does not. The former feels bound to give to a lodge once established all that her system represents, and to protect such lodge in the maintenance of its rights and privileges, so long as the lodge maintains allegiance to Mother Grand Lodge. The latter holds that recognition is a bar to all this in the jurisdiction of the Grand Chapter of Canada, except as applied to charters ante‑dating its organization.

 

Without discussing this question further, it will be sufficient to say that, when the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter of Canada were organized, each recognized the existence of lodges and chapters of English Registry, within their respective territorial jurisdiction, and accepted recognition subject to such a condition of facts. The possibilities may not have been considered, , but these include also the existence of amity between all the bodies thus concerned.

 

COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

1| Fraternal recognition " of the Grand Chapter of Canada was granted by the Grand Chapter of Ireland on February 17, 1858, coupled, however, with the following: ‑ "But that it demands for the chapters in Canada and individual companions who prefer to retain their Masonic connexion with the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Ireland, the free exercise of their existing Masonic rights, and requires that the Royal Arch warrant of any chapter whose 'Blue' warrant has been, or is about to be, returned to the Grand Lodge of Ireland shall be surrendered to the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Ireland." "And the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Ireland further demands the continuance of its present privileges of issuing, on proper memorial, Royal Arch warrants to be attached to any Symbolic lodge, under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of Ireland (in Canada)." On June 15, 1859, the Supreme Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Scotland, by Chairman of Committee, and Grand Scribe E., gave recognition, in fraternal and congratulatory terms, to the Grand Chapter of Canada, and "virtually surrendered all her former power in Canada, except over such of her chapters as were in existence at the time of recognition." It is highly creditable to the Royal Arch Masons representing the several Grand Chapters claiming rights and privileges within the jurisdiction of the Grand Chapter of Canada, and especially so to the latter, that neither has receded from the high character which dignifies and ennobles the Craft. The rights of all have been carefully guarded, and the privileges of each have been cherished with such decorum that the Grand Chapter of Canada now has eighty‑two chapters on its Registry, with a total membership of three thousand six hundred and thirty‑six.

 

Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Nova Scotia. ‑ In September, 1869, a committee appointed by Royal Union Chapter, No. 118, Registry of England, and a committee appointed by St. Andrew's Chapter, No. 55, Registry of Scotland, each working in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and the First Principal of Hiram Chapter, warranted by the Grand Chapter of Canada, met in joint committee; and, on their unanimous agreement, a Convention of Royal Arch Masons was called, to be held in Halifax October 14, 1869, and delegates from all the chapters in the Province were invited to meet for the purpose of establishing a Grand Chapter.

 

The Convention assembled in Masonic Hall, Halifax. Representatives and members of the three chapters named were present, together with a representative of St. John's Chapter, No. 13o, Registry of Scotland, working in Pictou, Nova Scotia; but the latter expressed the unwillingness of his chapter to enter into the movement. The Convention, however, proceeded in regular form ; the Grand Chapter of Nova Scotia was established, Grand Officers were elected and installed, and the chapters in the jurisdiction, which joined in the movement, were duly placed on the Registry of Nova Scotia and numbered according to rank and precedence: " Royal Union," Halifax, Nova Scotia, No. 1 ; " St. Andrew's," Halifax, Nova Scotia, No. a ; " Hiram," Goldenville, Nova Scotia, No. 3.

 

THE CAPITULAR DEGREES.

 

577 When the Grand Chapter, Nova Scotia, was organized, there were five chapters in the Province, to wit: the three just named and numbered 1, z, 3, and having a membership respectively of 5o, 6o, and 33,‑a total of 143; and the two other chapters, known as "Union," No. 1o8, and "St. John's," No. 13o, each of Scotch Registry, having a membership of 18 and 14, respectively, ‑ a total of 3z.

 

The good‑will of the Grand Chapter of England was given to the new Grand Chapter at its beginning, it being taken as a foregone conclusion that the organization of a Grand Chapter would follow the organization of the Grand Lodge of Nova Scotia, the due recognition of which had been secured.

 

In Scotland, a less friendly feeling existed, and this was prolonged for some years ; but the Grand Chapter of Nova Scotia secured local affection, strengthened by the complete recognition of Grand Chapters in the United States; and, under judicious management, came into full and undisputed occupancy of the territory of the Province. On November

 

, 1875, Union Chapter, No. 1o8, chartered by the Grand Chapter of Scotland, September zo, 1865, united with the Grand Chapter of Nova Scotia, and on April 29, 1876, St. John's Chapter, No. 130, chartered March 6, 1869, by,the same authority, united in a like manner; and these two are now on the Nova Scotia Registry as No. 7 and No. 8, respectively.

 

At the present time the Grand Chapter has twelve chapters on its Registry. Eight of these are in Nova Scotia proper: Shannon, No. 9, being in St. John's, Newfoundland; Prince of Wales, No. 1o, in Sydney, Cape Breton; Alexander, No. 11, in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island; and Prince Edward, No. 12, in Summerside, Prince Edward Island. The total number of affiliated Royal Arch Masons, under Grand Chapter, based on the returns of 1889, is now five hundred and thirty.

 

The Constitution of the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the United States provides that, ‑ "Whenever there shall be three subordinate chapters regularly chartered and constituted in any State, District, Republic, or Territory, by virtue of authority derived from this, its Constitution, a Grand Chapter may be established as soon as convenience and propriety may dictate; provided that the approbation of the General Grand High Priest shall have been first obtained. And any Grand Chapter thus established shall have and possess all the rights, privileges, and prerogatives conferred upon Grand Chapters by this Constitution." In applying this article of the Constitution of the General Grand Chapter, it will be seen that the Grand Chapter of Nova Scotia was organized according to what is known in the United States as the American system, constructively so at least, for the Grand Chapters of England and Canada had virtual knowledge of intention, and gave prompt recognition to the new Grand Chapter. It is noticeable also that the titles of officers, Grand and subordinate, correspond with those adopted in the United States. The first Grand High Priest, Hon. Alexander Keith, so long and favorably known in Freemasonry in Nova 578 These quotations taken from the original minute‑book of VirginArtillery‑COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

 "  " 2 Artillery............... . " ‑Level.

 

 Hugh McBean,       "Jno. Wigton,   11 " ‑Compass.

 

   ................    " And. Gray, ~. .~ .~ " ‑ Keys.

 

   ................    "Edwd. Byrn,   ................ " ‑5 Points.

 

 "   . , . . . . . . . ....... " ‑Plumb Rule.

 

 Jas. Johnston,      Scotia, took part in the Convention which organized the Grand Chapter. He was ably assisted by M. W. Stephen R. Sircom, his successor and Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, Nova Scotia, now living in Boston, Massachusetts, and by J. Conway Brown, deceased, July 23, 1871, at the early age of thirtythree years.

 

Notwithstanding his premature death, Brother Brown had succeeded in bringing to light many old documents of much historic value in Freemasonry. In this he was aided intelligently by others, and these were happily printed in the early proceedings of the Grand Chapter.

 

These old documents were described by Brother Brown, as ranging from November 16, 1784, to April 25, 1825, and refer to the Mark degree in St. Andrew's Lodge, No. 155 (now No. i, R. N. S.), Artillery Lodge, No. 2 (now Virgin, No. 3, R. N. S.), and a Lodge, No. 210, whose record has passed from memory.

 

The charter of St. Andrew's Lodge was issued March 26, 1768, and bears the signature of Laurence Dermott as Grand Secretary, and in two other places. Virgin Lodge, R. E., was originally established at Halifax, February 18, 1782, by dispensation from John George Pyke, Esq., Grand Master of Nova Scotia. The name "Virgin " was borne until October, 1784, when a warrant was issued under the name of Artillery Lodge ; but on September 22, 18oo, the original name of "Virgin " was resumed by permission. Up to 1784 the records show that two Worshipful Masters were elected during the year, Brother Adam Fife being the second; and this brings us to where the first record is made relating to the Mark Degree. ‑ " Halifax, 16th Novr, 1784 " Upon application to the Worshipful Brother Fife, he was pleased to open a Master Mark Masons' Lodge, " Worship, Bro. Fife, Master, formerly of erg, a Square, " Bro. Hall .................................. S. W.

 

~~ Allen .................................. J. W. of L. No. 155.

 

.. ~~ Lewis ................................. Tyler 11 210.

 

"The following brethren received the degree of Master Mark Masons, and made chaise of the following marks, viz.

 

"Wm. Matthews, of Lodge No. 155 ......................... Mark ‑A Bible.

 

"These brethren having justly paid the demands for such Marks, hath received the same with proper instructions.

 

"On December 9th, 1785, six brethren received the Mark degree, under the same warrant, one of them being Alex. McIntosh. On February lo, 1786, a Master Mark Masons' Lodge being opened, this Brother McIntosh stated that he was formerly a Mark Mason, but had forgot the Landmarks, and that upon recollection found the Sword to be his former Mark, and that the Lodge would indulge him to keep the same, which was unanimously agreed to."

 

THE CAPITULAR DEGREES.

 

579 Virgin Lodge give the earliest known date of working the Mark degree in America, and show the importance attached to choosing and recording a " Mark." Other entries of record show the way and the manner by which the degree could be and was worked in another lodge. Up to and including December 9, 1785, four members of Lodge, No. 155, had received the Mark degree ; and this fact led to its being worked in that Lodge.

 

Under date of January 14, 1786, Jno. Allen [see copy of record, November 16, 1784] addressed a letter to Worshipful Brother Fife, " In behalf of the brethren of Lodge, No. 155," stating their intention to have the Mark degree "established under the sanction of our own warrant." The reply will indicate the nature of the correspondence, and goes to illustrate the order and regu larity which prevailed in the business of the Craft at that early period. It is of interest also, in the fact, that the conferring of the degree carried with it the obligation of choosing and recording a " Mark " : ‑ " Halifax, roth Febry., 5786.

 

"Worship'1 Brethren: " I have laid your letter to me, dated the 14th Janry., 5786, before the Mark Lodge, held under sanction of Warrant No. z, Registry of Nova Scotia, and we have considered your request respectò ing those Brethren that belong to your Body that are members of our Mark Lodge. I have the pleasure to inform you, that it was unanimously resolved, that your request be granted.

 

"I accordingly tranxnit you a list of your members together with their Marks, hereby transferred from our Warrant to yours.

 

"Bro. William Hogg ...............................Mark‑Triangle. " " William Matthews............................ " ‑A Bible. " " Robert Geddes............................... " ‑Urica.

 

"" Robt. Bucan...........................,..... " ‑Oblong Square l" At a meeting held February 21, 1786, at the request of Worshipful Brother Duncan Clarke, who, with five others, received the M. M. M. degree at that date, the brethren of Lodge No. 210, who received their Marks under Artillery Warrant, No. 2, were permitted to transfer their Marks to and under the Warrant of No. 210.

 

As to the "demands" to be paid for Marks and proper instructions; Companion Brown was unable to say, as no cash account appears.

 

By‑Laws, Rules, and Regulations. ‑ Following the lead of Companion Brown, and being convinced that the Royal Arch degree in Nova Scotia antedated 1797, as given in the by‑laws of Royal Union Chapter, some of the zealous companions continued investigation, and discovered additional documents, showing ample evidence of the correctness of their belief. These documents are highly interesting, but too bulky for insertion here. Nevertheless we present the beginning of a code of "By‑Laws, Rules, and Regulations to be observed and kept by the Brethren of the Sublime Order or Chapter of a Royal Arch Lodge of the Most Ancient and Honorable Society of Free and Accepted York Masons, held under the sanction of Warrant No. 211 of the Ancient Grand Registry of London, dated the Both Day of June A.D. 1780, and in the Year of Masonry 5780, Vol. 8, Letter H. Granted to a Lodge of Free and Accepted Ancient York Masons at Halifax in Nova Scotia, by the Right Worshipful and Most Noble Prince John (the third), Duke Marquis and Earl of Atholl, etc., etc., etc., Grand Master of Masons." 58o COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

These by‑laws are in divisions or sections, numbered from i to 12. We quote a part of the first only : ‑ "That this Chapter or Royal Arch Lodge shall be held Quarterly, that is to say on the Second Wednesday in the Months of March, June, September, and December, in every year during its continuance, at the Golden Ball or Elsewhere in the town of Halifax." The by‑laws are clear and comprehensive, showing also a thoroughness characteristic of experienced and intelligent men. They provide for emergency meetings, the issuing of "summonses," to prevent "non‑attendance," at least twenty‑four hours before the meeting. The officers were to be elected annually ; the dues to be paid toward raising a charity fund, for the benefit of " Royal Arch Masons " only, '| on each Quarterly Lodge night," were "Two shillings and sixpence." The fees for being made a Royal Arch Mason were ‑/‑3, ios., and 5s. to the Tyler; and no more than two could be made on one night.

 

This code was "Signed and Agreed to at Halifax in Nova Scotia, this 15th Day of September, A.D. 1782, and in the year of Masonry, 5782," by fifteen members.

 

It is noticeable that the first three officers were styled High Priest, First King, and Second King. At the meeting of September 20, 1782, five names are given, thus: ‑ The Rt. Worshipful Brother Hugh Kirkham............. I.... H.P. " " " " Jno. Woodin.................... rst K.

 

"Ephtn. Whiston................... zd K.

 

.. .. .. .. John Cody...................... S.

 

.. .. .. .. John Willis.....................

 

It was made the duty of the Scribe to issue the " summonses." At this meeting Grand Master, |1 John George Pyke, John Clark, and Joseph Peters, Past Masters of Regular Lodges of Free and Accepted Ancient York Masons " . . `| were by us Installed and Instituted into the Sublime Secrets of Royal Arch Masonry." After which, "An Assembly or Encampment of Sir Knights Templars being formed, the said Brothers, J. G. Pyke, John Clark, and Joseph Peters, were Instituted and Dubbed Knights of the Most Noble and Right Worshipful Order of Sir Knights Templars." Three similar entries of record are made during the year 1782 : and others follow in 1783‑1784, in language quite as explicit. We mention this as a tribute to the brethren then concerned, and as a notice also of the early introduction of Templar Masonry into Nova Scotia.

 

The degrees now worked under the Constitution of the Grand Chapter of Nova Scotia are Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch Mason.

 

Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Quebec. ‑ At the seventeenth annual convocation of the Grand Chapter of Canada, held in the city of Ottawa, October 14, 1874, formal permission was granted to the chapters in Quebec to meet THE CAPITULAR DEGREES.

 

581 and take such action as might be deemed advisable for organizing a Grand Chapter for that Province. Following this friendly action, a Convention was held in Montreal on December 12, 1876, at which it was resolved to form a Grand Chapter, with the title of " M. E. Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Quebec." The constitution, rules, and regulations of the Grand Chapter of Canada were adopted, mutatis mutandis, Grand Officers were elected and installed, and proclamation thereof was made.

 

The Convention, as stated in its proceedings, represented a majority of chapters in the Province, and these were " Golden Rule," No. 9, Sherbrooke ; " Provost," No. 1.4, Dunham ; " Carnarvon," No. z 1 ; " Mount Horeb," No. 25 ; " Montreal," No. 42 ; " Royal Albert," No. 43 ; || St. Charles," No. 51 ; all in Montreal. These chapters were of Canadian Registry, and unanimous in their action.

 

In the preliminary proceedings, as well as in convention, regularity was observed, and the entire business was conducted in harmony with the American Masonic system. This secured recognition by the Grand Chapters in America, and the sovereignty of the Grand Chapter of Quebec was conceded.

 

Referring to the reserved rights on the part of the English, Irish, and Scotch Grand Chapters, there is an element of doubt as to whether the Grand Chapter of Quebec must not inherit, from the Grand Chapter of Canada, the reservation made by the Grand Chapters of England, Ireland, and Scotland when recognition was given to that body. We have to regard it as unfortunate that circumstances so operated as to secure assent, first by the Grand Lodge of Canada, and afterward by the Grand Chapter of Canada, to the continued and almost parallel existence of lodges and chapters of English, Irish, and Scotch Registry, within the territory which, according to the American system, should have belonged wholly and without reservation to the Canadian Grand bodies. But the English system did not concur with this, as has been seen in our remarks on the Grand Chapter of Canada.

 

Possibly no serious difference of opinion would have arisen to disturb the concurrent harmony of the several Grand bodies herein mentioned, had no other agency appeared; but the Grand Lodge of Mark Master Masons, of England and Wales, etc., had been gathering strength, and it was quite as firm in maintaining the English system as either of ‑its British contemporaries. This Grand Lodge recognized the existence of Mark Lodges in Quebec, to which it had granted warrants of confirmation. Naturally enough, the Grand Chapter of Quebec protested, even to declaring non‑intercourse with Grand Mark Lodge. In the discussion it was developed, in a circular‑letter issued September 15, 1884, by authority of Grand Mark Lodge, that the latter entrenched itself as follows : ‑ "There have always been, since 176o, and long previous to the constitution of the Grand Chapter of Quebec, 'Time Immemorial' Mark Lodges connected with English Craft Lodges in Montreal. Of this we have ample documentary evidence, and the main fact is admitted by the 582 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

Grand Z.. of the Grand Chapter of Canada, at page 16 of Proceedings, July 11th, 1884. Three of these'Time Immemorial' Mark Lodges desired to place themselves under Supreme English Jurisdiction in the Mark degree, as their members were already under Supreme English jurisdic tion in the Craft and Royal Arch degrees. This Grand Lodge has acknowledged them as regu lar, by granting them what is practically a warrant of confirmation. It has created for them no new status. They were legal bodies before. Some of the principal members of the Grand Chapter of Canada received the Mark degree in one of these Time Immemorial Lodges." This will show the line of argument adopted by Grand Mark Lodge in support of its position. But to this Quebec demurs, and points to the terms of mutual recognition. Organized late in 1876, it opened correspondence with Grand Mark Lodge, and in 18 said: ‑ " It recognized the Grand Mark Lodge as the rightful and supreme authority over the Mark degree in England and Wales and the Colonies and Dependencies of the British Crown, wherein no Grand body exists, or of right may be formed, claiming jurisdiction over that degree. 'This recognition was accepted by Grand Mark Lodge, which promptly and unconditionally recognized the Grand Chapter of Quebec, and representatives were exchanged." The warrants of confirmation were obnoxious to the Grand Chapter of Quebec, but were defended by England. Extended and prolonged correspondence spondence followed, without change of views by either, and we have to continue in the hope that a settlement satisfactory to each will be trade as the Grand Chapter of Quebec claims Past, Most Excellent, and Royal Arch territorial 'limits, in full fellowship with soon as possible. In the meantime, exclusive jurisdiction over the Mark, its degrees, and confers them within the Grand Chapters of America. Grand Royal Arch Chapter of March 1, 1887, a circular notice was issued Province of New Brunswick, over the names of five " First Principals of the same number of chapters in that Province," calling a Convention to be held in Masonic Temple in the city of St. John, on March 22, 087. This was done, as stated in the notice : " In accordance with Resolutions adopted by a majority of the regular Royal Arch chapters working in this Province." The chapters taking part in the Convention were Carleton, No. 47, represented by nine P. Z.'s and H.; Fredericton, No. 77, represented by three P. Z.'s ; Union, No. 84, represented by five P. Z.'s and P. J. ; St. Stephen, No. 125, represented by two P. Z.'s; and these four were of the registry of Scotland; New Brunswick, No. io, represented by P. Z., Z., and H.; Botsford, No. 39, represented by P. Z. and Z. ; Woodstock, No. 89, represented by Z.

 

these three were of Registry of Canada.

 

In due course of business transacted, it was New Brunswick. ‑ Under date of to the several chapters in the " Unanimously Resolved, That the Chapters of Royal Arch Masons now represented in this Convention hereby declare themselves to be, and do hereby erect and establish, the Supreme and Governing body for Royal Arch Masonry in New Brunswick by the title of ' The Grand Royal Arch Chapter of New Brunswick.'" The titles adopted for officers are substantially the same as used in the Grand Chapter of Scotland. 11 H." and 11 J.," or 11 P. J.," mentioned among TIIE CAPITULAR DEGREES.

 

583.

 

those taking part in the Convention, correspond to King and Scribe, used 111 the United States, and in Nova Scotia.

 

It was " resolved," to procure " The Working Ritual for conferring degrees as practised under the authority of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts." In the matter of degrees, it was declared by resolution : ‑ "That this Grand Chapter has authority over the Masonic degrees of 'Mark Master,' ' Past Master,' ' Excellent Master,' ' The Royal Arch Degree, and the Chair Degrees of three Principals, or Installation Degrees." The first chapter in the Province was Carleton, No. 47, in St. John, holding under warrant from Scotland, dated December 1q, 1821. The degrees worked by it were necessarily those authorized by its Mother Grand Chapter. ' Section 24, of its "General Rules" [By‑Laws, Ed. 1867], reads : "A Mark Master shall not be entitled to the R. A. Degree until he shall have selected his Mark, and had the same recorded in the Book of Marks of the Chapter." New Brunswick Chapter, No. 301, also in St. John, was originally established under warrant from the Grand Chapter of Ireland, dated February 24, 1858. It affiliated with the Grand Chapter of Canada, in 1868, and was borne upon the Canadian rolls as No. 1o. It now ranks No. z on roll of the Grand Chapter it helped to establish. As a matter of fact, the other five chapters were ranked after the two named, in the following order: Fredericton, Union, St. Stephen, Botsford, Woodstock.

 

That this Grand Chapter was happily established will be patent to all, when it is remembered that, that eminently conservative and loyal Freemason, B. Lester Peters, Past Grand Master, etc., etc., took part in the entire proceedings, and was elected Grand Principal Z. It is also matter for congratulation that it was organized according to the American system, and, like its sister Grand Chapter of Nova Scotia, is in sole and undisputed possession of the territory of the Province whose name it bears.

 

CHAPTER II.

 

ROYAL ARCH MASONRY IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

 

Organization of the General Grand Royal Arch Chapter. ‑Before opening inquiry as to the introduction of Royal Arch Masonry into the United States, attention will be given to the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the United States of America, inasmuch as this is the largest organization of Royal Arch Masons in existence, if not numerically the largest Masonic. body in the world.

 

584 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

It is the genius of Freemasonry in the United States that every name borne upon the rolls represents a member; and this sustains the statement that, at the present writing, there are one hundred and fifty thousand individual Royal Arch Masons, holding membership in the several chapters, Grand and subordinate, owing allegiance to the General Grand Chapter, exclusive of the Grand Chapters of Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. No one of these persons can be legally counted as a member of more than one chapter at the same time; therefore it is, that the custom of being a '6 contributing member " of two or more lodges during the same period, or of counting one a member on the rolls of as many different lodges or chapters as he may be elected in and pay quarterages to, is practically unknown in the United States.

 

Initial proceedings for bringing this body into existence were taken by a Convention of Committees from " Saint Andrew's " Chapter of Boston, Massachusetts; "Temple" Chapter, of Albany, New York, and " Newburyport" Chapter, of Newburyport, Massachusetts. This Convention assembled in Masons' Hall, Boston, October 24, 1797, and was attended by Benjamin Hurd, Jr., H. P.; John Soley, Jr., K., and William Woart, Secretary of St. Andrew's; Thomas Smith Webb, H. P., and John Hanmer, S. of Temple; Jonathan Gage, P. K., and Joshua Greenleaf, Jr., K. of Newburyport Chapter. These companions were already distinguished in their respective localities, and all of them became conspicuous for Masonic zeal and fidelity.

 

The Convention's Circular‑Letter. ‑Thomas Smith Webb was chosen Chairman, and William Woart, Scribe of the " Convention." A method of procedure was agreed upon, and a circular‑letter was issued. This letter is familiar to the Fraternity, but its importance in Royal Arch history calls for its introduction here : ‑ " COMPANIONS: From time immemorial, we find that Grand Lodges of Free and Accepted Masons have been established wherever Masonry has flourished, for the purpose of granting warrants for the erecting of private Lodges, as well as for the establishment of certain general rules and regulations for the government of the same.

 

"It is an opinion generally received, and we think well authenticated, that no Grand Lodge of Master Masons can claim or exercise authority over any, Convention or Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, nor can any Chapter, although of standing immemorial, exercise the authority of a Grand Chapter. We therefore think it highly expedient for the regular government of all Chapters within the said States, who exercise the rights and privileges of Royal Arch Masons, and to prevent irregularities in the propagation and use of those rights and privileges, that there should be a Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons established within those States. And whereas this Convention has received official information from our companions at Philadelphia, that the several Chapters within their vicinity have recently assembled and established a Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons for their government. In conformity to their example, we think it our duty to recommend to the several Chapters within the said States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont and New York, to unite and form a Grand Chapter for the said States.

 

"The local situation of the States before mentioned, the easy and frequent intercourse between their several principal towns and cities, as well as the similarity of habits, manners and customs, as citizens and as Masons, which prevail throughout the said States, induce us to believe that a THE CAPITULAR DEGREES.

 

585 union of all the Chapters therein in one Grand Chapter, will have the most useful, lasting and happy effects in the uniform distribution, and propagation of the sublime degrees of Masonry. They therefore take liberty of recommending to the consideration of your Most Excellent Chapter, the propriety of appointing one or more delegate or delegates to represent your Chapter at a meeting of the several Chapters before mentioned, to be holden at the City of Hartford, in the State of Connecticut, on the fourth Wednesday of January next ensuing, investing them with full power and authority, in conjunction with the other Delegates, to form and open a Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, and to establish a Constitution for the government and regulation of all the Chapters that now are or may be hereafter erected within the said States." This circular‑letter was signed by the seven companions present, in the order named, and as a " Committee " from each of the three chapters represented. It was duly attested, also, by William Woart, Scribe, under date of October 24, 1797, as "A true Record of the doings of this Convention of Committees." The First Convocation, Constitution, and Rules. ‑ Following the plan proposed in the circular, the Convention assembled in Hartford, on January 24, 1798, and nine chapters were represented, to wit: St. Andrews, as before, except Henry Fowle, Scribe, appeared, and John Soley, Jr., did not. This chapter held under the warrant of St. Andrew's Lodge, No. 82, Registry of Scotland, and has its records from August 12, 1769.

 

King Cyrus, instituted in 1790, same representatives. This chapter was called " N ewburyport " in the first Convention records.

 

Providence Chapter, No. 2, Providence, Rhode Island. Instituted, Septem ber 3, 1793. Represented by Rev. Abraham L. Clarke, H. P., and William Wilkinson, Scribe.

 

Solomon Chapter, Derby, Connecticut. The record of proceedings says this chapter was "Instituted, 1794." As a matter of fact, its first record bears date of December 29, 1795, and its charter the date of March 15, 1796. Represented by Daniel Holbrook.

 

Franklin Chapter, No. 4, Norwich, Connecticut. Chartered, March 15, 1796. Represented by Gurdon Lathrop.

 

Franklin Chapter, No. 6, New Haven, Connecticut. Chartered, May 2o, 1795 Represented by Peter Johnson.

 

Hudson Chapter, Hudson, New York. Instituted, 1796. Represented by Samuel Edmonds, Jr., H. P., and John C. Ten‑Broeck.

 

Temple Chapter, Albany. Established, February 14, 1797. Represented by Thomas Smith Webb.

 

Horeb Chapter, Whitestown, New York. Represented by Jedediah Sanger. Of these three chapters last named, Temple is No. 5, Hudson is No. 6 on the roll of the Grand Chapter of New York, and Horeb is extinct.

 

The Convention established a Grand Chapter, to have jurisdiction over the States of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, and New York, and denominated it the "Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the Northern States of America." COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

A form of Constitution, contained in a preamble, and nineteen sections, was adopted, and the business was concluded on the third day of the session. This Constitution provided for a Deputy Grand Chapter in each of the States: ‑ "To have the government and superintendence of the several chapters, and of the lodges of Most Excellent Masters, Past Masters, and Mark Master Masons, within their respective jurisdictions; and shall have power, by patent, under their seal and the sign manual of the Deputy Grand High Priest for the time being, attested by their Secretary, to constitute new Royal Arch chapters and lodges of Most Excellent :tilasters, Past Masters, and Mark Master Masons' degrees; to establish a uniform mode of working, to assign the limits of the Royal Arch chapters respectively, and to superintend and regulate the general police of Royal Arch Masonry within their respective jurisdictions, according to the ancient usages and customs of Royal Arch Masonry." The Grand Chapter reserved to itself " Exclusive power of hearing and determining all controversies, between the chapters within their jurisdiction, and of making such rules and regulations as they shall deem necessary to carry the Constitution into effect." It also reserved the general superintendence of the Deputy Grand Royal Arch Chapters respectively, " with the right of appellate jurisdiction over all their proceedings and determinations, with power to affirm or disannul them." It further provided : for raising the requisite funds; for the admission of all chapters within the States named; and, finally, for amending the Constitution by concurrence of two‑thirds of the members.

 

An adjourned meeting was held in Providence, Rhode Island, January 9, and lo, 1799, in accordance with a resolution adopted in September, 1798, The Grand Chapters of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York were represented, the latter having at the head of its delegation the Hon. DeWitt Clinton, then D. G. H. P. The subsequent Masonic and civil places of importance filled by this historic character invite this special reference to his high attainments and superior ability.

 

At this meeting, Thomas Smith Webb, chairman of a committee, reported certain rules of order and a revised Constitution. The latter was in four articles, the last being the form for constituting new chapters, and installing the High Priest.

 

This changed the title to || General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons for the six Northern States of America," and ordered that "The General Grand Officers shall be elected by ballot on the second Thursday in January, A.D. 1799, and in every seventh year thereafter, for which and other purposes " the meetings should be held "septennially, in Middletown, Connecticut, on the second Thursday in January." All questions in lodge or chapter, except the admission of candidates, were to be determined by a majority vote ; but the Constitution could be amended only by a two‑thirds vote. Section 6, of Article II., reads: ‑ "No warrant for holding a new chapter of Royal Arch, Most Excellent, Past and Mark Master Masons, shall be granted for a less sum than forty dollars; nor shall any warrant for holding a Mark Master Masons' lodge separately be granted for a less sum than ten dollars." THE C,4PITLLAr DECREES.

 

Section 7, showing the custom obtaining even at that day, provides: ‑ " No warrant shall be granted for instituting Lodges of Most Excellent, or Past Masters, independent of a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons." It was required that nine Royal Arch Masons might petition for a new chapter, and not less than five Mark Master Masons for a lodge of that degree, the petition, in either case, to be "Accompanied by a certificate from the Chapter or Lodge [as the case might be], nearest to the place where the new Chapter or Lodge is intended to be opened, vouching for the moral characters and Masonic abilities of the petitioners, and recommending, to the Grand Chapters under whose authority they act, to grant their prayer." Article III. ordained that assemblies of Royal Arch Masons should be called Chapters ; and those of Mark, Past, and Most Excellent Masters, Lodges. The titles of officers were established, substantially, as now used, the High Priest, King, and Scribe in each chapter to be the Master and Wardens in the lodges; and "No Mason shall be a member of two separate and distinct bodies, of the same denomination, at one and the same time." Other matters of internal economy were provided for in greater detail than in the first Constitution, in better form, and for the advantage of the growing Rite; among them this: ‑ " The several Deputy Grand Chapters of the States before mentioned shall in future be styled, State Grand Chapters; they shall severally consist of a Grand High Priest, Deputy Grand High Priest, Grand King, Grand Scribe, Grand Secretary, Grand Treasurer, Grand Chaplain, and Grand Marshal." The High Priests, Kings, and Scribes of the several chapters for the time being, the Past Grand, and Deputy High Priests, Kings, and Scribes of said Grand Chapters were to be members also.

 

Various Changes adopted.‑At the meeting of January q, r8o6, the General Grand Chapter resolved itself into committee of the whole to amend the Constitution.

 

The title was changed to the " General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons for the United States of America." Sections 8 and q were added to Article I.

 

The former provided, that the several Grand Officers should hold their respective offices until their successors were duly qualified, in case anything should prevent septennial elections ; the latter, that each of the first four officers should have power to institute new Royal Arch chapters, in any State where no Grand Chapter existed, subject to the required recommendation.

 

The fee for a new chapter, with the subordinate degrees, to be ninety dollars, and for a Mark Masters' lodge, twenty dollars, exclusive of such compensation to the Grand Secretary as the Grand Officers might deem reasonable.

 

Article II. was amended, and somewhat enlarged: State Grand Chapters were authorized to establish and collect fees for new chapters; Grand Secre‑ 587 588 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

taries were required to send a list of Grand Officers to one another annually, and to the General Grand Secretary, and to the latter a copy of their by‑laws and regulations. It was ordained that "Three or more Royal Arch chapters, instituted in any State, by virtue of authority derived from this Constitution, a Grand Chapter may be formed for such State, with the approbation of one or more of the General Grand Officers"; but this could not be done until "one year from the establishment of the junior chapter in the said State." Article IV. was enlarged to require that, before officers could enter upon their duties, they should take the following obligation: ‑ " I, A‑ B‑, do promise and swear that I will support and maintain the General Grand Royal Arch Constitution." The next septennial meeting was to be held in New York in September, 1812 ; but this was not done for reasons shown in a report, adopted at the meeting held in New York, June 6, 1816. This report says: " The situation of the country was such at that time as to render it highly inconvenient for the General Grand Chapter to convene, and the meeting having been prevented by a casualty such as is contemplated by the 8th section of the first article of the General Grand Royal Arch Constitution, your committee are unanimously of opinion that the present meeting is holden in pursuance of the said Constitution, and is legally competent to do and transact any business which may come before it" At this meeting the Grand Chapters of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, South Carolina, and Maryland were represented. The Grand Chapter of Maryland was admitted under the following terms: ‑ "The Grand Chapter of Maryland and District of Columbia is willing to support the Constitution of this General Grand Chapter. It will not grant any warrants out of its district, and will discountenance all chapters formed contrary to the General Grand Constitution, but requests that it shall not be forced to alter its mode of working, if any difference should exist, at present, and to be received on an equality with the other Grand Chapters." In pursuance of business, it was shown that the General Grand King had granted warrants or charters for new chapters, as follows : ‑ St. Andrew's .......... Hanover, New Hampshire .............. January 27, 1807. Trinity ............... Hopkinton, New Hampshire............ February io, 1807. Phoenix............... Fayetteville, North Carolina ............. September 1, 1815. Washington ........... Portsmouth, New Hampshire............ November, 1815. Union ................ Louisville, Georgia ..................... December 16, 1815Cheshire ..............Keene, New Hampshire ................ May4, 1816. Concord.............. Wilmington, North Carolina............ 18x5.

 

The General Grand Scribe had granted warrants or charters, as follows: ‑ Washington Chapter .............. Newark, New Jersey .......May 26, 1813. Washington ..............Chillicothe, Ohio ........... September 20, 1815. Cincinnati Mark Lodge, No. i..... Hanover, New Jersey ...... April, 1811.

 

Union No. 2..... Orange, New Jersey ........ July, 1812.

 

These several charters were confirmed accordingly.

 

Mark Lodges of the Rite. ‑ As a matter of record, the charters to the two Mark Lodges in New Jersey were the first granted by General Grand Chapter: THE CAPITULAR DEGREES.

 

589 The last organization of a Mark Lodge, as such, was reported in the convocation of September, 1826, dispensations having been granted to open one in St. Augustine, Florida, and one in St. Francisville, Alabama. The right to organize a Mark Lodge, however, though not exercised, appears to have been retained in the Constitution until the convocation held in Lexington, Ken tucky, in September, 1853. At this session a series of amendments to the Constitution was adopted, several of which were to strike out the word or words, 1| Lodge or Lodges," wherever they appeared in connection with a lodge, as separate from a chapter, and since that date no reference is made in the Constitution to a Mark Lodge, as such.

 

Article III., Section 2, of the Constitution then revised, gave a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons power by its charter to hold '| Lodges of Most Excellent, Past, and Mark Master Masons." The Constitution, revised and adopted in 188o, in Article III., is more explicit, and says : ‑ " No dispensation or charter shall be granted for instituting Lodges of Most Excellent Masters, Past or Mark Masters independent of a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons.

 

"Charters for instituting Chapters of Royal Arch Masons shall contain also the power to open and hold Lodges of Most Excellent, Past, and Mark Master Masons‑the High Priest, King, and Scribe, for the time being, to be the Master and Wardens in said Lodges." Titles of Officers, etc.‑Beginning with the Constitution of 1798, the members of the Grand Chapter were described to "Consist of a Grand High Priest, a Grand King, a Grand Scribe, a Grand Secretary, a Grand Chaplain, a Grand Treasurer, a Grand Marshal, and likewise of the Deputy Grand High Priests, Kings and Scribes of the several Deputy Grand Chapters, for the time being, and of the Past Grand High Priests, Kings and Scribes of the said Grand Royal Arch Chapter, and the said enumerated officers shall be the only members and voters of the said Grand Royal Arch Chapter." The Constitution of 1799 permitted each of these to appoint a proxy, and gave State Grand Chapters similar authority. In 1816 the office of Deputy General Grand High Priest was established, and this officer was given equal and similar powers to those of the Grand King, and Scribe. Subsequent changes were made at later sessions, until, in 188o, the present Constitution was adopted, and‑the title, established in 18o6, by substituting "of" after "Masons," was made: "General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the United States of America." The body is now composed of i. "General Grand High Priest, Deputy General Grand High Priest, General Grand King, General Grand Scribe, General Grand Treasurer, General Grand Secretary. General Grand Chaplain, General Grand Captain of the Host, General Grand Principal Sojourner, General Grand, Royal Arch Captain, Three General Grand Masters of the Vails, and General Grand Sentinel." 2. " Of the Past General Grand High Priests, Past Deputy General Grand High Priests, Past General Grand Kings, and Past General Grand Scribes." 3. "Of the Past Grand High Priests of Grand Chapters in this jurisdiction." 4. "Of the Grand High Priests, Deputy Grand High Priests, Grand Kings, and Grand Scribes, or their proxies duly appointed, of the Grand Chapters in this jurisdiction." 5, " Of the High Priests, Kings and Scribes, or their proxies duly appointed, of the constituted Chapters chartered by the General Grand Chapter." 590 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

Rights and Prerogatives. ‑The rights and prerogatives of the General Grand Chapter, as expressed in the Constitution up to 1829, were in part inferential; but this does not imply that the body failed 'to regard itself as being clothed with supreme power. A committee was appointed, in 1826, to revise the Constitution, and this was done, on report, in 1829.

 

The Constitution then adopted determined that: ‑ " The General Grand Chapter shall have and maintain jurisdiction over all State Grand Chapters, and over chapters in those States, Districts, Republics, or Territories, which recognize this jurisdiction, and where there is no Grand Chapter regularly established, agreeably to the provisions of this Constitution; and shall have the authority to suspend the proceedings of such State Grand Chapters, and such chapters in States where there is no Grand Chapter, as may knowingly violate any of the provisions of this Constitution; to settle all difficulties which may arise, and to give such advice and instruction as may seem most conducive to their peace, and to the advancement of the great cause of benevolence and virtue." This remained unquestioned until 1856, when a radical change was proposed,‑and, in 1859, adopted.

 

The first clause of this revised section assumed that all powers of the General Grand Chapter were derived from the State Grand Chapters, and that it could have no others except such as might be granted by them.

 

In 1865 this was revised so as to read: ‑ " The General Grand Chapter has and possesses no other powers than such as are indispensably necessary to the exercise of its general powers, and consistent with the nature of the confederation between the State Grand Chapters. It can exercise, no doubtful powers, nor any powers by implication merely; and all Masonic powers not hereby granted to it are reserved to the Grand and Subordinate Chapters of the several States, or to the Royal Arch Masons individually." This clause was reenacted in 188o ; the jurisdiction over States, Districts, Republics, and Territories is practically the same as in 1829 ; the power to discipline State Grand Chapters is annulled; it may decide questions of Masonic law, usage, and custom which may arise between Grand Chapters; it may decide any question referred to it by a Grand Chapter, such decision to be' final, as of the " Supreme judicial tribunal of Royal Arch Masonry in the last resort." Triennial Convocations.‑At the convocation of 1826, it was voted to strike out the word " septennial," and to insert the word " triennial." Since which time the sessions have been triennial.

 

The time and place for these meetings have been fixed, as a rule, at each preceding convocation, except that, at the session of January, 1799, provision was made whereby special convocations could be called, and this is still retained in the Constitution.

 

The meetings of the Convention, and the first two of the General Grand Chapter, have been sufficiently noticed. The third convocation was held in Middletown, Connecticut, January 9, 18o6. It was there decided that the THE CAPITULAR DEGREES.

 

591 fourth should be held in the city of New York, in September, x812. This was interrupted, by circumstances already noticed, incidental to the war usually spoken of as the War of 1812.

 

In 1816 a special notice was issued, in consequence of which the General Grand Chapter met in New York, New York, on June 6, 1816. Thomas Smith Webb, General Grand King, presided, and it was found that the Grand Chapters of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, and South Carolina were represented, and delegates from the Grand Chapter of Maryland were in attendance. At this meeting Webb was elected General Grand High Priest, but preferred to decline; whereupon the Hon. DeWitt Clinton, of New York City, was unanimously elected. He was reelected in 1819 for seven years, and again in 1826 for three years, but died before the term expired. Webb was elected Deputy General Grand High Priest in 1816, and died while holding that office.

 

The fifth, sixth, and seventh sessions were held in the city of New York, the latter on September io, 1829, when Edward Livingston was elected to succeed Clinton.

 

It was ordered that the eighth meeting should be held in Baltimore, Maryland, in September, 1832, but that city, with others in the United States, "being afflicted with cholera," the meeting was not called at that time, but was held by order of the General Grand Officers, on November 28, 1832.

 

Since that time the meetings have been held as follows: ‑ Ninth Convocation in Washington, Dist. Columbia, December 7,1835.

 

Tenth " Boston, Massachusetts, September 11, 1838.

 

Eleventh " New York, New York, September 14,1841 Twelfth " New Haven, Connecticut, September 1o, 1844.

 

Thirteenth " Columbus, Ohio, September 14, 1847.

 

Fourteenth " Boston, Massachusetts, September io, 1850.

 

Fifteenth " Lexington, Kentucky, September 13, 1853ò Sixteenth " Hartford, Connecticut, September 9, 1856. Seventeenth " Chicago, Illinois, September 13, 1859ò Eighteenth Convocation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

 

It had been fixed by vote that this should be held in Memphis, Tennessee, on September xo, 1862 ; but, in consequence of the war then prevailing, the convocation could not be held at the time and place selected.

 

Under date of June 8, 1865, Albert G. Mackey, General Grand High Priest, issued a summons, duly attested by the General Grand Secretary, for a meeting to be held in Columbus, Ohio, September 7, 1865. In this document it was stated that "The representatives of the General Grand Chapter, in consequence of the unhappy and discordant condition of the country, could not be convened," in Memphis, in 1862 ; they were accordingly summoned to meet in Columbus, as above stated.

 

At this convocation, the Grand Chapters of Maine, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri, Tennessee, Louisiana, 592 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

California, New Jersey, Maryland and the District of Columbia, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Arkansas, and Washington Chapter, No. i, of Kansas were represented.

 

Some of the Grand Chapters, not represented, had followed the action of their respective States, and claimed to have seceded; but this will be noticed more particularly in speaking of Grand Chapters.

 

On motion of Companion J. Q. A. Fellows, of Louisiana, unfinished business of 1859 was called up, and the Constitution was amended by striking out the words " Second Tuesday in September," and inserting the words " at such time and place," so as to read : "Triennially at such time and place as shall from time to time be designated for that purpose." This continues to govern, and the convocations are held accordingly.

 

On motion of Companion Fellows, it was voted, that the time and place of the next triennial meeting should be at "Nine o'clock A.M., September 8, 1865, City of Columbus, Ohio." It was also on motion of this Companion that the amendment to the Constitution, defining the powers of the General Grand Chapter, Section 7, Article I., of the present Constitution, was adopted.

 

Treating the convocation of September 7, 1865, as the eighteenth, subsequent convocations have been held as follows: ‑  Nineteenth Convocation, in Columbus, Ohio, September 8, 1865.

 

 Twentieth 11 " St. Louis, Missouri, September 15, 1868.

 

 Twenty‑first " September i9, 1871.

 

 Baltimore, Maryland,   Twenty‑second, " " November 2ó, 1874.

 

 Nashville, Tennessee,   Twenty‑third " August 21, 1877  Buffalo, New York,   Twenty‑fourth " August 24, 188o.

 

 Detroit, Michigan,   Twenty‑fifth " August 13, 1883  Denver, Colorado,   Twenty‑sixth " September 28, 1886.

 

 Washington, Dist. Columbia,   Twenty‑seventh " " November 19, 1889.

 

 Atlanta, Georgia,  The convocation held in Columbus, Ohio, September 7, 1865, was called there because the Grand Encampment, Knights Templar, of the United States had fixed to hold its triennial conclave in that city, and the General Grand High Priest thought it would be for the greater interest and convenience of all concerned. The convocations for 1868 and 18 7 1 were held concurrently with the conclaves of that body. At the latter, it was decided by General Grand Chapter that its interests would be better served by holding its convocations at a convenient distance from the place chosen by Grand Encampment, and during another week of the month. This was further emphasized by vote at Atlanta, whereby it was determined to meet in a different year, in consequence of which the twenty‑eighth triennial convocation will be held in Minneapolis, July 22, 1891, and the succeeding ones every three years thereafter. The triennial conclave will follow, in 1892.

 

Reminiscences.‑The forms of conducting business at the earlier convocations were strictly in accord with the generally dignified Masonic customs of THE C.4PITULfIR DEGREES.

 

593 the period. In January, 1799, Thomas Smith Webb was chairman of a committee that reported certain rules of order, unanimously adopted. The second of these was: " No member shall be permitted to depart the Grand Chapter without leave, nor without giving the customary salutes "; the third : "Every member who speaks on any subject shall rise and respectfully salute the chair in Masonic form." The word " salutes," in the second rule, indicates that each of the three principal officers was to be saluted, a custom not unfamiliar to many of the present generation of Masons.

 

It does not appear that a seal was procured until 1806. At the session held that year, it will be recalled, the title was changed to, "The General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons for the United States of America." Thomas Smith Webb was elected General Grand King, and was "appointed to devise and procure a suitable seal for the use of the General Grand Chapter," not to cost more than fourteen dollars. This seal was circular in form, one inch and five‑eighths in diameter, was bordered by a line, within which were the words, " General Grand R. A. Chapter, United States." Within this circle of words was an open book, having on the left‑hand page the words, "Book of the Law." To prevent printing and circulating incorrect copies of the Constitution, the copyright was vested in Companion Webb. This goes in evidence as to the care manifested, by the comparatively young body, in conducting the business of Royal Arch Masons.

 

Ritual. ‑The first direct reference to the work or ritual was in 1819, when a committee was appointed, to consider measures ‑ "For the more extensive diffusion of Masonic light, a more thorough and extensive organization of Grand and Subordinate Chapters, and a more regular system of labor and thorough discipline throughout the jurisdiction." If any report was made, there is no record of it.

 

In 1826 a similar effort was made, when it was reported that, as the first Article of the Constitution required the first four officers of the General Grand Chapter to perfect themselves in the work, it would be sufficient if one of them should " prescribe the mode of work before closing." In 1847 it was resolved: ‑ "That you will never suffer either more or less than three brethren to be exalted in your Chapter at one and the same time, shall be construed literally." In 1850 the matter of work and lectures was considered and exemplified. This latter was by St. Paul's Chapter of Boston, Stephen Lovell, H. P. The result was agreed to, but a committee of ten distinguished companions recommended, ‑ "That in all things not decided upon at this meeting, as a system of work,‑the work and lectures remain as they were or may be modified under the several Chapters and Grand Chapters under this jurisdiction, until otherwise further directed by the General Grand Chapter." 594 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

In 1853 Stephen Lovell directed the exhibition of the work, which was severely criticised in a minority report; but the motion to strike out the majority report was lost,‑4o noes, 38 ayes. The whole subject was then laid on the table.

 

An attempt to have a convention raised to meet in Baltimore, in 1855, to "obtain a uniform mode of work" did not succeed.

 

In 186o effort was made by the General Grand High Priest, Grand King, and Grand Scribe, in session in Washington, District of Columbia, to establish " the true and ancient work " ; but this was only partially successful.

 

Other and later efforts have been made. A change in a " word," made in Baltimore in 1871, was reversed at Nashville in 1874, since which time little or no friction because of ritualistic matters has prevailed.

 

In 188o the Rituals of the Mark, Past, Most Excellent, and Royal Arch degrees were rehearsed by committee of " Esoteric Work " ; and the " Grand Council " was authorized by vote " to promulgate it to the several Grand Chapters, in this jurisdiction, in such manner as to them may seem proper." A note, correctly introduced by the General Grand Secretary, says: ‑ " It is proper to state that only the essential instruction pertaining to each degree, with the technical forms of communicating the same, were adopted." These essentials have been widely promulgated since that year in Grand Chapters, and in chapters holding immediately under the General Grand Chapter.

 

The Constitution of the General Grand Chapter calls for a "Committee on Ritual," as one of the " Standing Committees." These committees have generally been conservative in their reports, and cautious not to offend what may be called localisms. In this respect we can but approve their conservatism, and applaud the wisdom of the General Grand Chapter in not attempting to formulate a ritual in extenso.

 

Statistics. ‑ It would be interesting to trace the growth and support of the General Grand Chapter throughout its entire history; but this might be of more interest to the few than to the many, and we forbear. A brief consideration of this shows that no statistical records were carried into the printed proceedings, if such were made, prior to 1859. Ending with August of that year, there were 25 Grand Chapters within the jurisdiction. These represented 777 chapters, with a total membership of 28,982. To these add 9 chapters, holding charters from the General Grand Chapter, with a membership of 226.

 

No statistics were given in the printed proceedings of 1865 ; but in 1868 there were 34 Grand Chapters, with 1632 chapters, and 73,942 members; and 6 chapters, holding from the General Grand Chapter, with 1io members.

 

The statistics of 1889 show that there are 38 ('sand Chapters on the roll, which, with 33 chapters holding from the General Grand Chapter, with 1482.

 

596 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

of 1829. It was found that some discrepancy in the order of conferring the degrees of Royal and Select Masters existed, and it was "Resolved, That it is the sense of this Generzl Grand Chapter that the conferring the degrees of Royal Arch and Select Masters, should be subsequent to that of the Royal Arch." The case of a Royal Arch Mason from Europe was considered in this report. He had taken the degrees of '1 Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, Master Mason, and Royal Arch Degree." Recommei:dation was made that every cnapter, within the jurisdiction, have authority to confer the " Degrees of Mark Master, Past Master, and Most Excellent Master, on such companions to the end that they may be healed, and thereby made regular Royal Arch Masons, free of charge." This authority has been continued, and is embodied in the present Constitution. In 185o inquiry into the expediency of forming a General Grand Council was declined. A resolution: "That, in the opinion of this General Grand Chapter, those are constitutional Masonic degrees only which are conferred in regular I Blue ' Lodges, Royal Arch Chapters, Encampments of Knights Templars and the appendant Orders, Councils of Royal and Select Masters, and Supreme ‑Councils of the `Ancient and Accepted Rite,' and their inferior jurisdictions," was indefinitely postponed. In 1853 the subject of Council Degrees was again reported on. The committee regretted that past action, by General Grand Chapter, had given rise to " Misapprehensions, and induced the belief that the. Royal and Select deg‑ees were within the pale of the Royal Arch Masonry." . . . " But when we come to trace the common source of title, we are unable to discover how this body has ever had any rightful jurisdiction over them; and it must be borne in mind, that it is incumbent on this body to prove title affirmatively and conclusively, and not to rely upon the weakness of the title of any other claimant." An examination of the Constitution led to the conclusion embodied in two resolutions: ‑ " That G. G. Chapter, and the governing bodies of Royal Arch Masonry, affiliated with, and holding jurisdiction under it, have no rightful jurisdiction or control over the degrees of Royal and Select Masters.

 

"That this G. G. Chapter will hereafter entertain no question or matter growing out of the government or working of those degrees while in their present position." These resolutions were adopted, and the practice of the General Grand Chapter conforms with them. The later action of some Grand Councils and Grand Chapters, whereby the former surrendered, and the latter permitted them to be conferred in chapters of Royal Arch Masons, worked no good to either. Most if not all of such Grand Councils have revived and retaken possession of the Council Degrees by mutual agreement, and Royal Arch Masonry is the more healthy because of less friction consequent on closing an agency contributing thereto.

 

Mark Degree. ‑This is the first in the series of degrees in Capitular Masonry, as established under the American system. Referring to what is said concerning this degree, under the sub‑titles of "The Mark Degree in THE CAPITULAR DEGREES.

 

597 England," and " Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Nova Scotia," we know that the Mark degree was conferred in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on November 18, 1784, and frequently thereafter, prior to 179o. The Grand Chapter of Connecticut shows that it was conferred on May 18, 1791, in Hiram Chapter, No. 1, in Newtown. This Chapter, the first in the State, was chartered by Washington Chapter, of New York City, and dated April 29, 1791. Washington Chapter came to be known as the " Mother Chapter," as a number of chapters derived parentage from it. Its history is obscured, in consequence of the destruction of its early records and papers by fire. We made it a personal matter, in 1872, to visit New York in search of information concerning it; but were soon met with the statement that the records and papers we aimed to examine had been in the safe of the then High Priest of a chapter, "Ancient No. i," as remembered, but all were consumed by a disastrous fire in 1856, whereby his and other business houses, down town, had been destroyed.

 

The Mark was familiar in St. Andrew's Chapter, in Boston, in March, 1793, and the degree was conferred, July 25, 1793.

 

The charter of Providence Royal Arch Chapter, in Providence, Rhode Island, dated September 3, 1793, and granted by Washington Chapter, authorizes it to confer the degrees of Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch Mason, and all these were conferred in the Chapter, October 5, 1793 On May 18, 1795, the Mark degree was conferred in Jerusalem Chapter, in Philadelphia; and on November 5, 1796, the Mark, and Most Excellent Masters' degrees were conferred.

 

These instances are ample to show an early familiarity with the degree, but not to sanction surprise that it has become the first in the series of the Capitular Rite.

 

Past Degree. ‑ Under the sub‑title of `| The Royal Arch System in Scotland," '1 Past Degree," will be found a consideration of it. It is the second in the series authorized by the General Grand Chapter. Further reference to it is made in noticing || The Royal Arch System of Ireland." In England " Past Master " is understood to mean one who has actually served twelve months as Master of a lodge. It is under Grand Lodge, but is not termed a separate degree. In 1744, the words " having passed the Chair " were used to describe a ceremony. It has been said also, that the " Installed Master," was originated at about this period. The Constitution, 1723, concerning the installation of the Master, speaks of "certain significant ceremonies and ancient usages." Dr. John Dove, of whom mention is made under " Virginia," said to Grand Lodge, in 1872: ‑ " I had intended to have said something in condemnation of the action of the M. E. Grand Chapter of England, in abolishing the degree of Past Master and substituting a so, alled Chair 598 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

Degree. A degree which had thus been practised for roo years, and by us in Virginia since 1790, ought not thus summarily, at the dictum of any one Grand body, to be abolished." In a code of by‑laws, adopted by Jerusalem Chapter, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, September 5, 1789, it is said: ‑ " No brother can be exalted until he has been at least three years a Master Mason, and has presided six months as Master of some regularly warranted Lodge, or has passed the Chair by Dispensation." The charter of Providence Chapter, already referred to, shows that the position now occupied by the degree was already well defined prior to September, 1793. The companions in Boston moved more slowly, as the degree has no Chapter record there prior to March 16, 1796, when three brethren were " Past," and thirteen others were " Past " during that year.

 

At about this time the chapter working under the charter of Harmony Lodge, No. 52, in Philadelphia, conferred the degree. The by‑laws required, " That every brother who has not passed the Chair shall pay fourteen dollars, out of which the dispensation shall be paid for; if past the Chair, for being exalted, eight dollars." This by‑law was adopted June 19, 1799. In January, i8o1, a committee of Grand Chapter found that two brothers had been " Passed the Chair without having been duly elected Worshipful Masters of said Lodge, and without having previously obtained dispensations from the R. W. Grand Master." The degree was held as prerequisite to receiving the Royal Arch degree; therefore the necessity of a dispensation. This rule is still observed in Pennsylvania, where a candidate for the Mark, Most Excellent, or Royal Arch degree must be " a Past Master, either by election or dispensation." It appears that Washington Chapter, of New York City, chartered five chapters in Connecticut. In giving the date of the charter of Hiram Chapter, No. 1, as May 18, 1791, Grand Secretary Joseph K. Wheeler says : "At the meetings of Hiram Mark Lodge, so called, the several degrees of Mark Master, Master in the Chair, and Most Excellent Master were conferred, and the records were kept separate from the Chapter records for several years." Then follows the statement that the by‑laws,‑and these are quoted,were adopted March 3, 1792.

 

On January 15, 1796, "the first notice of the degree of Past Master, or Master in the Chair," appears in Solomon Chapter,‑NO. 5.

 

It does not require any argument to show that a more complete system of Masonic government was being developed, and this finally and completely embraced the degree of Past Master.

 

Most Excellent Master. ‑Necessarily, something more than an outline sketch of this degree must be given, and largely from the fact that so much has been said, in allusion to it, that is incorrect and misleading. In his oration at the centennial celebration of St. Andrew's Chapter, in Boston, in THE CAPITULAR DEGREES.

 

599 1869, the late Hon. William S. Gardner treated it, as indeed he did the system, lightly, and evidently without such prior investigation as the occasion was entitled to. In his history of "Royal Arch Masonry in the United States," appended to Gould's American edition, M. E. Josiah H. Drummond quotes Companion Gardner in such a way as to leave the impression that his treatment of the subject is to be relied upon. M. E. Theodore S. Parvin, in his addition on "Templar Masonry in the United States," does worse, and repeats the glaring error, saying : ‑ " The first mention of the Most Excellent Master's degree, and without doubt the first time it was ever conferred in any chapter outside of Temple Chapter, Albany, where it originated, was in the old St. Andrew's Chapter, Boston, during the visit made to it by Thomas Smith Webb, in February, 1795." In his address to the General Grand Chapter in 1883, the acting General Grand High Priest said enough about Webb to have prevented the repetition of errors concerning him; but error reasserts itself, and necessitates the reiteration of facts here.

 

Thomas Smith Webb.‑The Grand Commandery of Massachusetts and Rhode Island shows that Thomas Smith Webb was born in Boston, October 30, 1771. The records.of Rising Sun Lodge, formerly in Keene, New Hampshire, show that he was initiated December 24, 1790, passed and raised, December 27, 1790. He withdrew from membership, was again admitted, December 27, 1791, and finally withdrew, March 7, 1792. The evidence in Keene is that he was a bookbinder.

 

Rising Sun Lodge came into disrepute in 1805, on the finding of a " special deputation." The charter was arrested, and the Grand Lodge ordered its seal to be broken. The offences of the Lodge were "Glaring, flagrant, and insufferable, against their own by‑laws, in direct violation of the laws of Grand Lodge and the Constitutions of Masonry." It may be presumed that making Masons of |1 young men under age " was among its offences; for Webb, it appears, was but little over nineteen years old when initiated. On May 18, 1796, he received the Royal Arch degree in Harmony Chapter, No. 52, in Philadelphia, and was classed, in the records, as a sojourner. We have never seen authority for saying when or where he received the other Chapter Degrees. He came into notice at the organization of Temple Lodge, in Albany, New York, by authority of Grand Lodge, November 11, 1796. Of this Lodge John Hanmer was Master, and Webb was Senior Warden. A special convention of Royal Arch Masons in Albany, including Hanmer and Webb, was held. The former " Proposed that the subject of opening a Royal Arch chapter should be taken into considera tion by all the companions present, . . , as there is no chapter in this part of the country." Webb was elected High Priest on February 14, 1797, when, with 11 Benjamin Beecher and James Pamelly," the 11 Lodge was opened in the degree of 6oo COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONR Y.

 

Most Excellent Master." This was the first time his name appeared in connection with that degree; nor does it appear in the records of Temple Chapter later than June, 1799.

 

This of itself is sufficient to show that Webb could not have worked the Most Excellent degree in Temple Chapter two years before the body existed, and fifteen months before he was made a Royal Arch Mason. Neither could he have worked it in St. Andrew's Chapter at the time specified; and, when he and Hanmer did work the Most Excellent degree, '| after their manner," in this Chapter, on October 24, 1797, the degree had been known for years, outside of Temple Chapter, and familiarly so in Connecticut and Rhode Island. In the latter case, witness the charter of Providence Chapter.

 

John Hanmer. ‑John Hanmer was an English Mason, and, as deduced from his own writing, came to the United States in 1793 or 1794. He exhibited a document from the Grand Master of Masons in England, to the effect that he was || skilled in the Ancient Lectures and mode of Work, as approved and practised in England." Writing from Charleston, South Carolina, under date August 23, i8o9, Hammer said that he had been engaged in " Masonic proceedings in America for more than fifteen years." This shows that he did not originate the degree, although it is probable that Webb and he added a large portion of Scripture to the Ritual. Clearly, Hammer was the ritualist at the outset, as see proceedings of the Grand Chapter of New York. At the convention of March 14, 1798, to organize a Grand Chapter, Hammer was High Priest of Temple Chapter, and was chosen Deputy Grand Secretary; he was chairman of a committee of five "to draft a Code of By‑Laws "; chairman of a committee to draw up a " | Form of Warrant," to print the same, and procure a seal ; also of a committee to receive applications of Chapters and Mark Lodges for warrants and to grant them; and, on January 30, 1799, he was "Appointed to superintend the different Chapters and Mark Lodges in this State, to establish a uniform mode of working and lecturing, according to the directions of the Grand Officers." At the Convention Webb represented Hibernian Chapter, New York, and on January 29, 1799, was elected Deputy Grand High Priest. Whatever else this may indicate, it strongly suggests that Webb was then better known for executive than ritualistic ability. The publication of the " Freemason's Monitor," in 1797, in Albany, in view of all the facts, in no way weakens this suggestion.

 

Origin, etc. ‑As to the origin of the Most Excellent degree, that is obscure. The Irish system embraces: The Chair, The Excellent, The SuperExcellent, The Royal Arch, The Knight Templar, and The Prince Rose Croix ; and the Scotch system, The Mark Master, Past Master, Excellent, and Royal Arch. Excepting The Chair, St. Andrew's Chapter, in Boston, worked the degrees named in the Irish system, in 1769, and as late as 1797. The first to give way to a change of name was the Super‑Excellent. On December 14, THE CAPITULAR DEGREES.

 

6oi 1797, Oliver Prescott received the Excellent, and Most Excellent degrees, and the Royal Arch in August, 1799. The Mark, and Past degrees had been received by him November 13, 1797.

 

This indicates transition, and suggests that the Super‑Excellent degree of one hundred and twenty years ago contained the marrow, and something of the bone, of the Most Excellent degree.

 

Be this as it may, we do not have space to discuss probabilities, and so return to dates.

 

The charters granted in Connecticut by Washington Chapter, of New York, heretofore spoken of, show that Hiram Chapter, chartered April 29, 1791, had the degree, as noticed in speaking of the Past degree.

 

The charter of Providence Chapter, date of September 3, 1793, gives the names of the degrees as Mark, Past, Most Excellent, and Royal Arch, and its records show that all of them were conferred October 5, 1793. Four other chapters, chartered in Connecticut by Washington Chapter, subsequent to 1791, and the charter of Providence Chapter, bear unimpeachable testimony to the fact that the degree of Most Excellent Master was familiar to Washing ton Chapter in the earliest months of 1791. Where this chapter found it is not known; the accident by fire obliterated a history that otherwise would have been instructive. In Pennsylvania, where the supremacy of the General Grand Chapter was never acknowledged, and where the work of Webb never was encouraged, the Most Excellent degree was conferred in Jerusalem Chapter, No. 3, on November 5, 1796, more than three months before Temple Chapter existed.

 

The Royal Arch Degree. ‑The fourth and crowning degree of the American Capitular Rite has been so fully discussed in Chapter I., in connection with the English, Irish, and Scotch systems, that more need not be said concerning it.

 

The records show that Royal Arch Lodge, No. 3, in Philadelphia, had the degree in 1767 ; and those of St. Andrew's Chapter, in Boston, first called Royal Arch Lodge, that the degree was conferred by it, first, on August 28, 1769. Since that time it has remained secure in its superior place in Royal Arch Masonry. The term Royal Arch Lodge was succeeded by Chapter and Royal Arch Chapter. Chapter was used in Connecticut as early as September 5, 1783 ; in Pennsylvania, September 5,' 1789 ; in New York, April 29, 1791 ; in Massachusetts, December 19, 1794, and, it is not without reason to say, at considerably earlier periods.

 

The word Chapter took the place of Lodge in England, for the first time, April 29, 1768. The word Companion, used in the chapter in place of Brother, was first used in England February 8, 1778. Each of these state ments is drawn from the 176 a " Lodge‑Chapter " records at York. These terms, Chapter and Companion, were soon carried to America; where they have since flourished as elements in the Capitular system in America and in the American Masonic Rite.

 

602 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

Grand Chapters of the United States. ‑ In our treatment of the General Grand Chapter it has been indicated that all the State Grand Chapters owe obedience to it, those that took part in its organization no less than the Grand Chapters that have been organized since 1798, and, under the provisions ol the Constitution of the General Grand Chapter, have become constituent mem, bers of it.

 

To the exceptions already noticed, to wit: the Grand Chapters of Pennsyl. vania, Virginia, and West Virginia, may be added Florida, during its earlier history. These, however, will be named in alphabetical order in the roll of Grand Chapters now to be considered.

 

Before entering upon this, it is proper to notice the fact that eight Chapters assumed to withdraw from the jurisdiction of the General Chapter, because the convocation to be held in Memphis in 1862 was held [see ante]. In 1871 the General Grand High Priest reported his reply, and reasons for it [see Printed Proceedings, 1871, pp. 17, 18], to the question : " Is the General Grand Chapter, to which we owe allegiance, in existence, and has it had a legal existence since 1859?" Correctly, as we think, he replied affirmatively. His opinion and ruling were examined by a committee of pronounced legal and judicial ability, and both were sustained in the report, which included the declaration, " that this General Grand Chapter has never ceased to exist, since its organization, is correct." This was adopted by General Grand Chapter, there being twenty‑eight Grand Chapters represented, in the possible number of thirty‑four.

 

To go back a little, it appears that, in the triennial convocation of 1865, it was noticed that several Grand Chapters had failed to hold their Grand Grand not so " Regular convocations, as provided by their respective Constitutions, and the Constitution of the General Grand Chapter, thereby incurring legal disabilities; therefore, "Resolved, That all Grand Chapters which have failed to meet in consequence of the recent war, are declared to be in good standing in this body, and entitled to continue their relations with it." This, together with a cordial invitation to all Grand Chapters to unite, "without reference to past differences of any character," was unanimously adopted by the seventeen Grand Chapters represented.

 

In 1868 it was "Resolved, That no Grand Chapter, organized by the authority of this M. E. General Grand body, or which at any time has become a constituent member of this body, can lawfully sever its connection with the General Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the United States of America without its consent, but the allegiance of said Grand Chapters is inalienable and now due." represented, and the resolution was Twenty‑two Grand Chapters were unanimously adopted.

 

In 187 1, the Grand Chapters of Florida, Iowa, North Carolina, and Vermont came into " the National fold," and twenty‑eight Grand Chapters were represented. Other Grand Chapters have resumed their proper relations, and THE CAPITULAR DEGREES.

 

603 support the Resolution of 1868, above quoted, with becoming loyalty. The General Grand Chapter, however, has not resorted to coercive measures, in any instance, but has wisely left it to the returning flow of loyalty, and the remedial processes of time, to solve the problem of National jurisdiction by the General Grand Chapter of the United States of America.

 

Alabama. ‑An attempt was made on the third Monday in May, 1823, to form a Grand Chapter for the State of Alabama. At that time there were four chapters in the State, holding charters from the General Grand Chapter; the junior of these charters was dated in February, 1823. A convention was held in Mobile, on the date first given, when it was resolved to establish a Grand Chapter. Monroe Chapter, the junior, took exceptions, and carried the case to the General Grand Chapter, where it was carefully considered at the session of 1826, and it was " Resolved, That the formation of a Grand Chapter for the State of Alabama, in May, 1823, prior to 'the expiration of one year from the establishment of the junior chapter in such State, was prohibited by the 11th Section of the 2d Article of the General Grand Constitution, and that therefore this General Grand Chapter cannot ratify or approve the proceedings of the convention held at Mobile." It was recommended to the four chapters to proceed without delay to form a Grand Chapter. This was done, and the body now ranks from June 2, 1827The charters and dispensations granted by the organization of 1823, and the work done under them, were confirmed, for the reason that the companions concerned organized the body from " oversight or misapprehension of the Constitution." This Grand Chapter adopted a resolution, in 1861, declaring its connection with the General Grand Chapter dissolved. In December, 1875, this resolu tion was repealed, and relations resumed with the General Grand body. As a matter of history, this Grand Chapter became dormant in 1831, but representatives of the several chapters met in 1837 and reorganized it, under the provisions of the General Grand Constitution.

 

Arizona. ‑ In this Territory, chapters were established by dispensations, confirmed by charters from the General Grand Chapter, as follows: Arizona, No. 1, Phoenix, March 1o, 1880; Charter, August 27, 1880: Prescott, No. 2, Prescott, June 21, 1882 ; Tucson, No. 3, Tucson, July 25, 1882 ; Cochise, No. 4, Tombstone, January 10, 1883 ; charters to the three, August 15, 1883. The General Grand High Priest, in person, constituted Tucson Chapter, early in September, 1883; Flagstaff, No. 5, Flagstaff; dispensation, May 28, 1889. Arkansas. ‑The General Grand Constitution of 1850 provided, that "Three chapters regularly instituted and consecrated in any State, District, Republic, or Territory, by virtue of authority derived from this Constitution, a Grand Chapter shall be established so soon as convenience and propriety may dictate."

 

Charters having been granted to three chapters in Arkansas, the oldest under date of September 17, 1841, the Grand Chapter was organized April 28,

 

 603

 

 

 

COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

604

 

1851. At the session of 1874, held in Nashville, Tennessee, that distinguished lawyer, jurist, and Freemason, Elbert H. English, of Little Rock, was elected General Grand High Priest. He had helped to organize the Grand Chapter of Arkansas, and was its first Grand High Priest. Few men were known so well among Freemasons as he, and his death, on September 1, 1884, caused a general sorrow in the Fraternity.

 

California. ‑ The first meeting of Freemasons in California, preliminary, to organizing a lodge, was held in August, 1849; and soon San Francisco Lodge was established. A dispensation was granted May 9, 185o, to organize San Francisco Chapter; and a charter was granted on September 13th following. On May 6, 1854, a convention was held in Sacramento, to organize a Grand Chapter, in which three chapters were represented, to wit San Francisco, No. 1 ; Sonora, No. 2, and Sacramento, No. 3. The charters of the two latter were granted September 17, 1853. This convention adopted a constitution for Grand Chapter, and, after a three days' session, adjourned to meet in San Francisco, on July 28, 1854, when the Grand Chapter was duly organized and the Grand Officers were installed.

 

Canada.‑Possibly it may excite surprise that the General Grand Chapter has been concerned at any time in establishing a chapter in Canada. Such, however, is the fact, as reported in the session of 1829. It was there shown that 1| Most Excellent General Grand High Priest DeWitt Clinton presented a dispensation on the 9th day of February, 1828, to James Robinson Wright and others, to form, open, and hold a chapter of Royal Arch Masons in the Town of Kingston, in the Province of Upper Canada," and the General Grand Secretary was directed to " engross a warrant for Union Chapter at Kingston, Upper Canada." The General Grand Chapter long since ceased to interfere in foreign jurisdictions, and the companions of Canada regulate their own affairs.

 

Colorado. ‑During the series of years 1861‑1864, correspondence was so interrupted, in consequence of the war, that little or none could be had with the then General Grand High Priest, whose home was in Charleston, South Carolina. The General Grand King, under provisions of the Constitution, granted a dispensation for Central City Chapter, No. 1, in Central City, Colorado, under date of March 23, 1863 ; and, by the same authority, the Deputy General Grand High Priest granted one for Denver, No. 2, in April following. Charters were granted to these two chapters September 8, 1865. Dispensation to Pueblo Chapter, No. 2, at Pueblo, was granted May 24, 1871 ; and a charter, on September 20, 1871. Charters were granted November 25, 1874, to Georgetown, No. 4, and to Golden, No. 5 ; and the Grand Chapter was organized May 1 r, 18 75. The subsequent history of this body has been highly commendable, a marked epoch therein being the session of 1883, held in Denver, by the General Grand Chapter.

 

 THE CAPIT ULAR DL GREES.

 

Connecticut. ‑ In the opening pages of the early history of the chapters in Connecticut, Grand Secretary Wheeler says : ‑ "The early history of Washington Chapter, No. 3, is somewhat peculiar, as its records date back to A.D. 1783, although the first charter was not granted until March 15, 1796, It is undoubtedly the first record of anything pertaining to an organization of Royal Arch Masons in this jurisdiction, and we give it as we took it from their old records, now carefully preserved and in the possession of the chapter at Middletown." On September 5, 1783, six members of St. John's Lodge, No. 2, in Middletown, stated, over their signatures, that they had been "duly initiated into the Most Sublime degree of an Excellent, Super‑Excellent and Royal Arch Mason, in regular constituted Royal Arch chapters," and after examining each other at St. John's Lodge room, at Mrs. Abigail Shaler's, they "duly opened and held the first regular Grand Royal Arch chapter." Officers were elected as stated in the record, where the names and titles of office appear.

 

The first meeting after organization was held in the same place, September 12, 1783, and of |1 Royal Arch Masonry 3 783 " : ‑ PRESENT:‑R. W. Oliver Lewis ............. High Priest.

 

R. W. John Lewis DeKovan.... Captain General. William Joyce .................. Senior G. M. William Redfield ..............Second G. M. David Starr ...................Third G. M. Edward Miller................. Scribe.

 

Further record of business is made, by which it appears that John Heart, a "well known Royal Arch Mason," was elected a member, and the Master of each of two lodges was elected to be made a Royal Arch Mason.

 

The first five charters to chapters in Connecticut were granted by Washington Chapter, the "Mother Chapter," so‑called, and these commenced ‑ "At a Washington Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, held in the City of New York, North America, on "‑ [adding day and date].

 

The first charter was to Hiram, No. 1, in Newtown, and was dated April 9, 1791. The others were to Franklin, No. 2, New Haven '................. May 2o, 1795. Franklin, No. 4, Norwich .................... March 15, 1796. Solomon, No. 5, Derby ...................... March 15, 1796.

 

These several charters, from "Washington Chapter," were signed by John Abrams, H. P., W. C., R.A.M. ; Jno. Ludlow, K., W. C., R.A.M. ; Wm. Richardson, S., W. C., R. A.M.; attested by Elias Hicks, Secretary.

 

The initials show the nomenclature, at the beginning of 1791, to have been High Priest, King, Scribe [respectively], of Washington Chapter, of Royal Arch Masons. On May 4, 1796, the titles were given in Washington, No. 3, as " H. P., K., S., Treasurer, R. A. C., Z‑1, First G. M., Second G. M., Third G. M., Stewards, Sentinels." In the last two offices there were two in each.

 

The first record of Solomon Chapter is dated December 29, 1795. In this the title of the first three officers is the same as in Washington Chapter. The 605 6o6 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

others are |' Zerubbabel, Captain, First, Second, Third Grand Master, Secretary, Architect, Clothier, and Tyler." The by‑laws of Hiram Chapter were adopted March 3, A.D. 1792. The officers were : " High Priest, King, Scribe, Zerubbabel, a Royal Arch Captain, three Grand Masters, a Treasurer, a Secretary, an Architect, a Clothier, and a Tyler." Article VIII. required the High Priest to preside, direct the business, and " occasionally to give a lecture." The duties of the King, Scribe, Treasurer, and Secretary were the same as now; but the Scribe was to " cause the Secretary to enter, in a fair and regular manner, the proceedings of the Chapter," and " to summons the members for attendance at every regular and special meeting, . . . and also to administer the obligation." It was the duty of Zerubbabel to "superintend the arrangements of the Chapter"; of the Royal Arch Captain, to " keep watch at the Sanctuary " ; of the three Grand Masters, " to watch the Veils" ; of the Clothier, "to provide and take care of the Clothing"; of the Architect, " to provide and take care of the Furniture." In this article we get a very good suggestion as to the ritual; and this is strengthened by Article VIL, which reads: "After the Chapter is opened, neither member nor visitor shall be admitted but on giving the signs and pass‑words to the Grand Masters and to the Royal Arch Captain." These two articles outline the ritual then in use in the Royal Arch degree, and emphasize the opinion that very little change has been made in it since 1791. The Royal Arch ritual was familiar when Webb was initiated; but no doubt, in publishing his " Monitor " in 1797, the exoteric portions of the ritual were made more uniform because of his executive skill and the printer's art.

 

A sixth chapter, " Vanden Broeck," also No. 5, received a charter from the Grand Chapter of New York, dated April 6, 1796, though its first record is dated December 24, 1795 These six chapters met in convention, in Hartford, May 17, 1798, and organized the Grand Chapter of Connecticut. It met in half‑yearly convocations up to May, 1819. The constitution was then revised; and "annual convocations " became the rule, with provision for calling special convocations.

 

The companions in Connecticut were highly influential in organizing the General Grand Chapter, and Ephraim Kirby, of Litchfield, was elected to be the first General Grand High Priest.

 

Dakota. ‑In 1883 there were eight regularly chartered chapters in the Territory of Dakota, and eight others under dispensation, all holding by authority of the General Grand Chapter. The oldest of these chapters was Yankton, No. 1, in Yankton. The dispensation for this was dated April 15, 1876 ; and the charter August 24, 188o.

 

A convention was held June io, 1i, and 12, 1884, in Aberdeen, preliminary to organizing a Grand Chapter; and this was done February 25, 1885.

 

THE C.4PITULAR DEGREES.

 

607 This Grand Chapter continued until the Territory was divided, and the States of North and South Dakota were erected.

 

The Grand Chapter of Dakota had exercised its sovereign powers to the advantage of Royal Arch Masonry in the Territory. Harmony had prevailed, and the Rite flourished ; but the act of division and the dignity of statehood led to corresponding action in the Grand Chapter.

 

Under the provisions of the General Grand Constitution, the Grand Chapter of South Dakota was established January 6, r89o ; and the Grand Chapter of North Dakota on January 9, 189o.

 

Delaware. ‑We are unable to give any clear account of the early introduction of Royal Arch Masonry into this State. A Grand Chapter was organized there June 119, 1818; but this finally fell into decay, until it was held in General Grand Chapter that, |' since the year 1856, no regular Grand Chapter had existed in Delaware." Under date of October zo, 1868, the General Grand High Priest, having inquired into the facts, issued an official circular, in which he stated the fact of non‑existence of a Grand Chapter, recognized the existence of "Washington and Lafayette Chapter, No. 1, in Wilmington; Temple Chapter, No. z, in Milford; and Hope Chapter, No. 4, in Georgetown," and declared them to be lawful Royal Arch chapters, with power to continue work under the warrants held by them.

 

In December, 1867, the General Grand High Priest gave a dispensation to organize St. John's Chapter in Wilmington ; and on September 18, 1868, this act was confirmed, and a charter was granted. A convention was regularly called at Dover, on January 20, 1869. Representatives of four chapters [all then in the State] assembled. A Grand Chapter was organized, and its officers were installed by the General Grand High Priest.

 

District of Columbia. ‑ Royal Arch Masonry in the District has had a varied experience, inasmuch as the chapters have, at different periods, had different supreme heads. On January 21, 1807, three chapters in Baltimore, and three in the District met in convention in Washington, District of Columbia, and organized a " Grand Royal Arch Chapter for the State of Maryland and the District of Columbia." There is internal evidence that the six chapters, represented in convention, were each attached to a lodge charter, and that the parent of one or more of them was from Pennsylvania. Further notice of this will appear under " MARYLAND." The progress of the Grand Chapter of 1807 was not flattering ; it ceased to. be active ; a reorganization was effected November 9, 11814, by three chapters, one only, Federal, No. 1, of Washington, District of Columbia, participating. This 1814 organization issued " Charters of Recognition," under which Federal, No. 1, became Federal, No. 3, and, a few years later, Washington‑Naval, and Potomac, of the District, received similar charters and were numbered 4 and 8, respectively. This Grand Chapter was received and admitted under the jurisdiction of the General Grand Chapter, June 7, 1816.

 

6o8 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

Early in 1822 an effort was made, on the part of Federal, No. 3, Washingò ton‑Naval, No. 4, Potomac, No. 8, all of the District, and Brooke Chapter, No. 6, of Alexandria, Virginia, to organize a Grand Chapter for the District of Columbia. The convention met in the hall of Brooke Chapter, in Alexandria, adjourned to August 11th, then to September loth, when a letter of assent from DeWitt Clinton, General Grand High Priest, under date of August 30, 1822, was read, authorizing the organization of a Grand Chapter, as proposed by the convention. An adjournment to November 25, 1822, was taken; but for various reasons, chiefly because of incomplete representation, the new Grand Chapter was not organized until February 1o, 1824.

 

Potomac Chapter now concluded it to be inexpedient to separate from the Grand Chapter of Maryland and District of Columbia, and this title was retained until the session of 1826, when it was agreed and settled that this Grand Chapter, Of 1807‑1814, should relinquish all jurisdiction over the District of Columbia, " except so far as relates to the Potomac Chapter." The Grand Chapter of the District of Columbia existed until 1833, in apparently good condition, although it issued a charter to Temple Chapter, No. 4, only. Its records from May 11, 1822, to January 8, 1833, were well kept, since which time no sign or record of it can be found. The cause of this is nowhere mentioned, but we venture the suggestion that the doors of the several chapters were closed in fear of Anti‑Masonry, and the Grand Chapter died suddenly.

 

In his history of the Grand Chapter of Maryland and the District of Columbia, Companion. E. T. Schultz quotes its favorable action toward the Grand Chapter, taken in November, 1822, together with its opinion, that "They ought, as a preliminary and proper step, to have obtained the consent of this Grand Chapter; but that ‑as it is the wish of the three chapters of the District of Columbia to form a Grand Chapter for themselves "‑consent was given.

 

At the session of September, 1841, Joseph K. Stapleton, of Maryland, Deputy General Grand High Priest, was authorized " To take the necessary steps to place all chapters of Royal Arch Masons, in that part of the District of Columbia, which formerly belonged to the State of Maryland, under the jurisdiction of the Grand Chapter of Maryland," And at his discretion, to do such acts as he might think proper in completing the business.

 

At the session of September, 1844, he reported the order duly enforced, and that two chapters in the District were then under the jurisdiction of the Grand Chapter of Maryland. No change was made in the title of this Grand body until 1853, when, as Companion Schultz says, " and District of Colum bia " was added. In the session of 1856, the title of "Grand Chapter of Maryland and District of Columbia "was used in General Grand Chapter, and this was continued until after the present Grand Chapter of the District of Columbia was established.

 

THE CAPITULAR DEGREES.

 

6og This Grand Chapter was organized by a convention of delegates from Columbia Chapter, No. 15 ; Washington, No. 16; and Mt. Vernon, No. zo. The convention assembled April 3, 1867; adjourned to April 6th; then to April zoth; and again to May

 

, 1867. Potomac Chapter, No. 8, sent delegates, with credentials, and these were duly received and admitted to seats in convention, April 6th; but under date of April 16, 1867, the Secretary of No. 8 sent a note declining further attendance. In the course of time, however, Potomac Chapter, subordinate to the American Masonic system, took its proper place in the jurisdiction of the Grand Chapter of the District of Columbia.

 

The closing session of the convention was on May za, 1867; and on May z3d, ‑ the day following, ‑ the Grand Chapter was erected and its officers installed.

 

Discussion with the General Grand High Priest followed, Potomac Chapter being the principal subject. This Chapter refused to take a charter from the new Grand Chapter, preferring to work under its Maryland charter. Being declared clandestine, the General Grand High Priest was appealed to. He concluded that the " | Companions who formed the so‑called Grand Chapter had been hasty and irregular," and gave Potomac Chapter the right to work under its warrant.

 

The new Grand Chapter quoted its action, as being regular, and showed the resolution adopted, by the Grand Chapter of Maryland and the District of Columbia, on November 13, 1866, dissolving connection Between the State of Maryland and the District of Columbia, and that the chapters in the District of Columbia be requested to form a Grand Chapter for said District of Columbia." The case went to the General Grand Chapter, at the session of 1868, when majority and minority reports were made. The latter contained three resolutions: First, recognizing the Grand Chapter of the District of Columbia, and giving its officers seats in General Grand Chapter; second, placing Potomac Chapter under the urisdiction of the General Grand Chapter, but "without territorial jurisdiction over candidates for the Capitular Degrees"; third, declaring all acts of censure, suspension, or expulsion, growing out of the formation of the Grand Chapter, null and void.

 

Maryland did not feel satisfied with this action, and resolutions to this effect were adopted in 1868 ; but in November, 1869, resolutions were adopted, " relinquishing its jurisdictional rights over the District of Columbia so long as it remains the seat of the National Government," and fully recognizing the Grand Chapter of the District of Columbia as a regular Grand Chapter.

 

It is needless to say that all signs of this friction have long since disappeared; and when Noble D. Larner of the Grand Chapter of the District of Columbia was elected General Grand High Priest in 1886, none were more zealous in his behalf than the representatives of the Grand Chapter of Maryland.

 

61o COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

Florida.‑The first connection between the General Grand Chapter and Masonry in Florida appears to have been made when DeWitt Clinton granted dispensations for a Mark lodge in St. Augustine, and another in St. Francisville in Florida, as reported at the session of 1826.

 

Prior to 1847 there were three chapters in Florida, to wit: Magnolia, No. 16, at Apalachicola,.and Florida, No. 32, at Tallahassee, both chartered by the Grand Chapter of Virginia; and a chapter at St. Augustine, chartered, in error, by the Grand Chapter of South Carolina, itself a constituent of the General Grand Chapter.

 

Delegates from these three chapters assembled in Tallahassee on January 11, 1847, and organized a Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons for the State of Florida.

 

It forthwith decreed, that the " Degrees of Royal Master and Select Master shall be deemed to be Chapter degrees, to be given in Chapters, unless otherwise directed by Grand Chapter." On February 8, 1847, it "Resolved, That the Grand Chapter of Florida, duly appreciating the advantages of a Masonic head and paramount authority, is disposed to come under the jurisdiction of the General Grand Chapter of the United States." The General Grand Chapter felt that the chapter at St. Augustine was not legally instituted, and had adopted a resolution of remedy in 1844. This, however, was misinterpreted in Florida.. The companions took offence, and held aloof from the General Grand Chapter.

 

In 1856 signs of settlement began to appear; and the General Grand High Priest was authorized to recognize the Grand Chapter of Florida, and place it on an equal footing with the other Grand Chapters, at its desire.

 

Before this was carried into effect, the war period stayed proceedings, until, on January 13, 1869, the Grand Chapter of Florida accepted an invitation, and " Resolved, That this Grand Chapter accepts such invitation in a true Masonic spirit, and will hereafter bear allegiance and support to the said General Grand Chapter." Georgia. ‑ At what time was Royal Arch Masonry introduced into Georgia? is a question that cannot be answered from the Grand Secretary's office, nor do the records in possession of that Grand Chapter show. Evidently there were Royal Arch Masons there before r8o6. Possibly the degree was worked under lodge charters long before, but of this there is little evidence. In an oration by the R. W. Junior Grand Warden, Brother J. H. Estill, before Grand Lodge in 1887, we are told that Royal Arch Masonry made its first appearance in Georgia, in Union Lodge, No. 3, and that within it Georgia Chapter was born.

 

The records of General Grand Chapter show that Georgia Chapter received its dispensation from that body; and Dr. John Dove of Virginia gives it the date of December 1, 1804. The General Grand Chapter also chartered THE C,4PITULAR DEGREES.

 

Union Chapter, Louisville, Georgia, on December 16, 1815 ; Augusta Chapter, Augusta, December 6, 1818; Mechanics Chapter, Lexington, June 10, 1820; Webb Chapter, November 16, 1821 ; Franklin Chapter, by DeWitt Clinton (place and date not given), before September 16, 1826, as it was then reported that the Grand Chapter of Georgia had been regularly organized, and it was received and recognized " as entitled to all the rights and privileges of a Grand Chapter within the State." At the session of 1847, a committee reported, in General Grand Chapter, that sufficient documentary evidence had been found, to show that the Grand Chapter of Georgia "is a constituent member of this Grand body"; but it had not been represented, or made returns, since 1822, although it was organized February 4th of that year. The Deputy General Grand High Priest gave a dispensation for a chapter in Macon, June 21, 1838 ; and the Grand Chapter reorganized May 3, 1841. This reorganized body was represented in 1847, and, as a rule, up to and including 1859, after which, and following the political action of the State, it assumed to withdraw from the General Grand Chapter, tnd did not fully resume its proper relations until April, 1875, when in regular .convocation it resolved to renew its connection with, and fealty to, the General C*rand Chapter. The twenty‑seventh Triennial Convocation of the General grand Chapter was held in Atlanta in November, 1889.

 

Idaho.‑On June 18, 1867, the Grand Chapter of Oregon granted a charter for Idaho Chapter in Idaho City; and this was constituted August 18, 1867. The Grand Chapter is said to " have acted under the impression that the General Grand Chapter had virtually ceased to exist." On petition the General Grand Chapter adopted a report, on the case, which included || good faith " on the part of the petitioners, healing of all companions exalted in the chapter, and the granting of a charter to Idaho Chapter, No. 1, Idaho City, on September 18, 1868. Under authority of the General Grand Chapter, other chapters were established as follows : Cyrus, No. 2, Silver City, Dakota, February 14, 1870; Boise City, No. 3, Boise City, March 30, 1870; charter to each, September 20, 1871 : Lewiston, No. 4, Lewiston ; no dispensation; charter, August 27, 183o: Alturas, No. 5, Hailey, Dakota, May 22, 1884; charter, October 1, 1886. To the foregoing, Pocatello, No. 6, was added by dispensation, May 28, 1889.

 

Illinois.‑Under date of July 19, 1841, the Deputy General Grand High Priest granted a dispensation for Springfield Chapter, in Springfield, and a charter was granted by General Grand Chapter, September 17, 1841. At the session of 1844, the same officer reported that he had granted a dispensation to organize Lafayette Chapter, in Chicago, dated July 2, 1844. In 1847 he reported that he had, since 1844, granted dispensations for Jacksonville Chapter, No. 3, in Jacksonville; and for Shawneetown Chapter, No. 6, at Shawneetown. The General Grand Scribe had granted dispensations for Horeb Chapter, No. 4, in Henderson, March lo, 1846; for Quincy Chapter, 612 COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

No. 5, in Quincy, April 1, 1846 ; and these several acts were confirmed by warrants granted during the respective sessions. In September, 1850, the same officer had granted dispensations for Howard Chapter, July 28, 1848 ; and Stapleton Chapter, June 28, 1849. The General Grand King had given dispensation for Reynolds Chapter, in Cambridge, dated March 2, 185o; and the Grand Scribe, for Barrett Chapter, at Rock Island, dated August 1, 1849.

 

Before some of these later dispensations had been passed upon by General Grand Chapter, the General Grand King had given authority to seven chapters to organize a Grand Chapter for the State of Illinois; and this was done April 1o, 185o.

 

The Triennial Convocation of 1859 was held in Chicago.

 

Indiana. ‑ It appears in evidence that Thomas Smith Webb, elected Deputy General Grand High Priest in 1816, granted dispensations for Madison Chapter, in Madison, and Brookville Chapter, in Brookville.; but in consequence of his death prior to the session in 1819, no report of these was made of a character to gain for them official recognition. No further evidence of the existence of these bodies was presented, but it was shown, in 1844, that Madison Chapter had continued its labors for years. A charter was granted by General Grand Chapter to Vincennes Chapter, in Vincennes, dated May 13, 182o. At the session of 1844, it was reported that these three bodies had organized a Grand Chapter in 1823, but no documentary evidence of this had been presented to General Grand Chapter. Brookville Chapter soon after dropped out of sight. Investigation made at this session found that, on May 13, 1823, a Grand 'Chapter had been formed, as above, but no meeting was held by it afterward. Madison Chapter had worked until 1829, when it suspended. On July 1o, 1842, fourteen Royal Arch Masons assumed to reopen it, all in good faith; this, together with their otherwise good Masonic conduct, and the petition of the companions concerned, secured confirmation of a charter to Madison Chapter, No. r, on September 12, 1844. Its past work, however, was declared to be illegal, but authority was given to heal all who had received degrees in it, on their appearing personally. Dispensation had been granted for King Solomon's Chapter, in Richmond; and a charter was ordered September 14, 1838. Dispensation was granted for Logan Chapter, Logansport, March 12, 1839; and charter ordered September 17, 1841. Dispensation for Lafayette Chapter, No. 3, was given by the Deputy General Grand High Priest, August 17, 1843, to be located in Lafayette ; charter granted September 11, 1844. The chapters assembled by permission, dated November 18, 1845, and the Grand Chapter for the State of Indiana was regularly organized December 25, 1845 Indian Territory.‑Dispensations to organize chapters in Indian Territory were granted : to Indian, No. 1, February 23, 18 78 ; chartered August 2q, 1880 *Oklahoma, No. 2, Atoka, February 14, 188o; chartered August 27, 1880 Burneyville, No. 3, Burneyville, March 2, 1885 ; renewed December 6, 1886, THE CAPITULAR DEGREES.

 

613 but for lack of support, surrendered in April, 188 7 : Savanna, No. 4, Savanna, March 12, 1886; chartered October 1, 1886: Tahlequah, No. 5, Tahlequah, dispensation January 16, 1888 ; chartered November 22, 1889.

 

At the session of 1889, the General Grand Chapter voted permission, and the Grand Chapter of Indian Territory was regularly organized February 15, 18go.

 

Iowa.‑Dispensations were issued for Iowa Chapter, No. 1, Burlington, August 24, 1843 ; chartered September 11, 1844: Iowa City Chapter, No. 2, Iowa City, March 1g, 1844; chartered September 17, 1847:. Dubuque Chapter, No. 3, Dubuque; chartered September 17, 1847: Washington Chapter, No. 4; chartered September 17, 1853. McCord Chapter, NO‑ 5, at Fairfield, received a dispensation, presumably, under date of March 18, 1853 ; but the death of the Deputy General Grand High Priest, thirteen days later, prevented his making a report, and the chapter was chartered by the Grand Chapter of Iowa, June 14, 1854 The aforenamed chapters met in convention at Mount Pleasant, by sanction of the General Grand Scribe, and organized the Grand Chapter of the State of Iowa, June 8, 1854.

 

We now have to notice an incident in the life of this body that manifests all the freshness of youth, and but little of the matured Freemason. Within about two years after being organized, the usefulness of the General Grand Chapter came under discussion. The Grand High Priests early gave emphasis to this negative feeling. In 857 the delegates to the next session of the General Grand Chapter were instructed to vote for its dissolution. This was reenforced in 1858. The Grand Chapter asserted its sovereign and independent right to organize chapters in Nebraska or elsewhere, where no Grand Chapter existed, and finally, on August 16, 186o, the resolution, declaring the "Grand Chapter sovereign and independent, and in no manner whatever subject to the General Grand Chapter of the United States, and this Grand Chapter is forever absolved from all connection therewith," Was passed by a vote of twenty‑eight ayes to fifteen nays.

 

This condition of things continued for nine years, when, at the Triennial Convocation in September, 1871, the General Grand High Priest reported that, under date of October 26, 1869, he had " Received official notice that the Grand Chapter of Iowa had rescinded the act of secession passed in r86o, and had directed that the O:. B.*. of allegiance should be administered to all the members of Chapters in that jurisdiction, and that hereafter it would be administered to candidates receiving the Royal Arch degree." Representatives of the Grand Chapter were present in 1871, and have been at succeeding sessions of General Grand Chapter.

 

Robert F. Bower of Keokuk was elected General Grand High Priest in 188o, and died while in office.

 

Kansas. ‑At the Triennial Convocation of 1859 the address of the 614 General Grand High Priest showed that he had given dispensations: to Leavenworth Chapter, No. i, Leavenworth, dated January 24, 185 7 ; and for Atchison Chapter, No. 2, Atchison, dated May 18, 1859. A charter was ordered for the latter, by vote, September 14, 1859. It was then called Washington Chapter, and in the proceedings of 1862‑5 and 1865, Washington, No. 1. The dispensation to the former was renewed in April, 1863 ; and on September 8, 1865, a charter was granted. On the same date a charter was voted to Fort Scott Chapter, Fort Scott, the dispensation having been granted and so reported by the Grand Secretary; but no date was given. Permission was granted by the Deputy General Grand High Priest; and, in January, 1866, a convention was held, and the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Kansas was regularly organized, February 23, 1866.

 

Kentucky.‑It is shown in the preamble to the proceedings of the convention which organized the Grand Chapter, that Thomas Smith Webb, Deputy General Grand High Priest, had granted dispensations for three chapters in Kentucky, to wit: in Lexington, Frankfort, and Shelbyville, one in each, under date of October 16, 1816. This is confirmed by proceedings of General Grand Chapter, September 9, 1819 ; but, in consequence of Webb's death, details were not given. The preamble quoted the Constitution of the General Grand Chapter, whereby it was made competent for three chapters to form a Grand Chapter; also, to show that the clause requiring the junior chapter to be one year old was by them complied with. The three chapters were fully represented by the High Priest, King, and Scribe of each, and the Grand Chapter of Kentucky was regularly organized December 4, 1817.

 

Correspondence incident to the organizing of a Grand Chapter is printed at length in the proceedings of the Grand Chapter of Kentucky, including recognition by Webb, dated at "Worthington, Ohio," December 12, 1817, and by DeWitt Clinton, December 30, 1817 ; and formal recognition, with approval, was given September 9, 1819.

 

At the annual convocation of 1825 resolutions were adopted, to petition the General Grand Chapter, and to correspond with Grand Chapters on the " propriety of dissolving " the former. A long memorial was issued, setting forth reasons affirmatively; the conclusion being that the General Grand Chapter was "An institution calculated to waste the funds of our Order, engender ambition, administer food to vanity, and every way incompatible with the pure and sublime principles of Masonry. We also apprehend that it will be used by political men as a convenient instrument to further their intrigues and spread their influence." This memorial was referred to a committee in General Grand Chapter,, which committee concluded: ‑ " That, as a majority of the Grand Chapters of the several States comprising the General Grand Chapter dissented from the resolution of the Grand Chapter of Kentucky, it was not expedient to take any further measures on the subject." COSMOPOLITAN FREEMASONRY.

 

THE_ C.4PITULAR DEGREES.

 

6I5 Kentucky seemed to be content with this action, and h