The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1870-12-21
OUR MASONIC COLUMN.
The Masonic Grand Bodies OF vir.
ginia.

teresting as these meetings in the "Old
Dominion" usually are. They afford
very pleasant social reunion to many
Of the most prominent and respected
citizens of the State, and their proceed
ings are generally full of the highest
interest to the Masonic world. The
Masonic fraternity in Virginia has al,
ways been looked up to as eminently
conservative, rigidly adhering to the old
landmarks and holding firmly to the
faith delivered by the fathers. In the
Grand Lodge last week were many Of
the Oldest and most distinguished Ma
sons Of the State, some Of them indeed
having an enviable reputation much
wider than the limits Of the State
Many men venerable by age and wis
dom and distinguished service in Ma
sonic, religious, civil and political life
were in attendance and took lively
interest and a prominent part in the
proceedings.
Several propositions Of general ;ate:-
est TO the fraternity were discussed A
proposition to abolish the Office of Dep
uty Grand Master failed Of adoption by
q very small majority. The committee
on Jurisprudence dissented from some
of the decisions Of the Grand Mas
ter, reported by him as having been
made during recess, and much discus
sion ensued touching the power Of the
Grand Lodge to review such decisions
The opinion prevailed that, while the
Grand Lodge had no power to reverse a
decision OF the Grand Master as regard
ed the particular case passed upon, it
might declare what, in similar cases
should be the law for the future.
In the Grand Chapter, the action Of
most Importance to the readers of this
column was the consent given to the
formation of Grand Royal Arch Chap.
ter for the State of West Virginia, The
subject who presented in the memorial
of Wheeling Union Chapter No. 10,
Jerusalem Chapter No. 81, Star of the
West Chapter No 20, and Nelson Chap
ter No. Is. The resolutions according
the consent asked, for place the new
Grand Chapter upon precisely the same
basis are regards subordinate Chapters
now existing in the State, as that occu-
pied by the Grand lodge Of West Fir-
ginia towards Lodges existing here prior
TO the formation Of the new Grand
Lodge. No new charters are to be is
sued from the Grand Chapter OF Vir-
ginia to Masons in this State after the
new Grand Chapter is formed, but the
existing Chapters are at liberty to either
report TO the Grand Chapter Of West
Virginia, or retain their connection
with the Grand Chapter Of Virginia as
they may Individually prefer. We pre-
sume that a convention will soon be
held and the necessary steps for the
proper constitution OF the Grand Chap
ter oof West Virginia adopted without
DELAY. We are informed that move
ments are already being made In
several localities for the formation OF
Royal Arch Chapters.
In the Grand Commandery Of knights
Templar the only action OF Immediate
Importance was an alteration in the law
the election OF officers. Here
after, only the Eminent Commander,
G eneralissimo, Captain General, Treas
urer and Recorder are to be elected by
the Knights, the remaining officers be-
ing appointed by the Eminent Com
mander.
The session of each Of the several
Grand bodies was very pleasant and
and the charms Of the
social reunion enjoyed by all will consti-
tute a delightful remembrance in all
future wears. We give below list Of
the officers elected and appointed in the
several Grand bodies for the ensuing
year.
GRAND LODGE OF VIRGINIA
Grand Master, T. F. Owens; Deputy
Grand Master, Colonel r. E. Withers,
Lynchburg; Grand Senior Warden, ".
H Lambert, Alexandria; Grand Ju-
Nor Warden, General William B. Talia-
ferro. Gloucester; Grand Senior Dea,
con, Judge Parker, Winchester; Grand
Junior Deacon, Judge B. r. Wexford
Richmond; Grand Secretary, DR.. John
Dove, Richmond; Grand Assistant
Secretary, w. B. lsaacs, Richmond;
Grand treasurer, Thomas U. Dudley
GRAND CHAPTER OF VIRGINIA.-M. r.
John P. Little, Grand High Priest; NJ.
E Robert E. Withers, Grand King; NJ
F B, NJ. Harris, Grand Scribe; +
Thomas U. Dudley, Grand Treasurer;
E. John Dove, Grand Secretary; E;
William II. Lambert, Grand Captain OF
Host; E. Samuel Kennedy, Jr.' Grand
ROYAL Arch Captain; E. A. P. Abel
Grand Master Sd Vail; E. Samuel NJ.
Bowman, Grand Master End Vail; =.
L. F. johnson, Grand Master LIST Vail;
E. G.. w. Dame, Grand Chaplain;
Thomas Angel, Grand Steward; j. NJ
Taylor, Grand Janitor.
GRAND COMMANDERY OF VIRGINIA
NJ. E. John X. Mcdaniel, Grand Com,
mander; N. E. VIM. B. Isaacs, Grand