The New York herald., 1870-08-20
SECRET SOCIETIES.
Progress OF Royal Arch Masonry In tho
Unltcd States.

Progress OF Royal Arch Masonry In tho
Unltcd States.
lFrom the Phi 'adelphia Ledger, August I0]
short time since we gave brief history OF the
origin and progress OF Free and Accepted
Masonry, reserving for the present article history
of Royal Arch Masonry, a distinct Organization.
Masters of Blue Lodge. The Royal Arch degree
was originally founded upon, and in truth was but
q compliment OF the Masters degree rather than
p distinct degree in itself. Prior to about l740 1t
bad no separate existence, and any Master
biason's lodge might open chapter under its
warrant and confer the degree. But about hat
time Q740) certain lodges which had separated
from the "Graud Lodge of England" and called
Grand Lodge of all England cut off the Royal
Arch from the Masters degree.
The First Royal Arch Chapter In America, of
which any definite or particular account is extant
Is that held In Philadelphia prior to 1853. This
chapter worked under the warrant Of Lodge No.
3, and was recognized and had communion with a
Military Chapter, working under a,warrant No.
land" and its proceedings were subsequently
approved by that body, rs appears by coInmu-
picaton from its Deputy Grand Master. Upon
like principles other chapters were established in
Pennsylvania. In November, 1895, an irregular
attempt made at the instance of one Nolan
TO introduce innovations in the Royal Arch
Degree, and to form an independent Grand Royal
Arch Chapter, under warrants Of lodges held in
Philadelphia.
An inquiry was instituted by Lodge No. 3 into
these proceedings, which resulted in declara-
Zion that they were contrary to the established
Uniformity of the craft The Grand Lodge subse-
quently, On complaint, suspended the lodges
that had attempted the innovation, and appointed
committee to inquire into the facts, and also
F'int0 any other matters that may have relation
TO the Introduction Of schism among the lodges
In Pennsylvania" The committee held several
meetings, and on the 23d of November, 1885, re-
ported series Of resolutions to the effect that a
brand Royal Arch Chapter be opened under the
Immediate sanction of the Grand Lodge of Penn
sylvania also that all past and existing officers
Of the Grand Lodge, having duly obtained the de-
grees of Royal Arch, and all past and existing
6fhcers of chapters Of Royal Arch Masons, be
considered as members OF the Grand Royal Arch
chapter. After the report Of the committee the
offending lodges acknowledged their errors and
were received into favor again.
Thus was the first Grand Chapter of Royal
Arch Masons established in America Rules and
regulations were adopted by the Grand Lodge in
t79S, and it was determined at the same time
THAT no chapter should be held within the COM
monwealth of Pennsylvania aud masonic jursdic-
lion thereunto belonging but under the authority
and sanction OF regular warrant granted by the
Irand Lodge also that o brother can take the
negree unless he has taken the three first degrees
bDd has filled the Office of Worshipful Master or
passed the chair by dspensation."
In 1913 General Grand Royal Arch Chapter
was established over the States of New Hamp-
thre, Massachusetts, Rhode Island. Connecticut,
Vermont and New York. In 1906 the General
Grand Chapter of the United States was formed,
The Grand.Lodge of Pennsylvania condemned this
organization, at the same time denying the expedi-
ency and Masonic legality of a separate supreme
Jurisdiction. The mode OF work and lecturng in
Pennsylvania is therefore different from that
adopted by the General Grand Chapter the can
Cient York Rite" being adhered to. The degrees
Of Most Excellent Master and Mark Master have,
however, been admitted. within her jurisdiction,
hnd are now prerequisites for obtaining therein
The Arch degree. In 1910 the bylaws, rules and
regulations OF the Grand Chapter were revised
snd amended. Appended to the new code was a
preamble, stating that Ancient Masonry consists
Df fcur degrees, the first Of which those of APP
prentice, the Fellow Graft and the sublime degree
bf Master Mason; and a brother being well verscd
in these degrees, and having discharged the Offices
Df his lodge, particularly that of Master, and full
6lled the duties thereof with the appreciation of
The brethren of his lodge, is eligible on due trial
hnd examination by the Chiefs of the Chapter and
Fourth degree-the Holy Royal Arch"
Royal Arch Masonry continued to spread in
Pennsylvania, aud its government, under the con-
trol OF the Grand Lodge, was found to be inefi-
eient, and efforts were made to modify it, but
without success, until July, 1924, when the diff
bulty was overcome. At that time o constitution
was adopted by the GraId Chapter with the
lent of the Grand Lodge, by which the Grsnd
Royal Arch Chapter was made Independent of the
Grand Lodge and invested with power to elect its
pwn officers to make bylaws, rules and regua-
hOns for its government; to grant warrants for
holding Royal Arch Chapters and Most Excellent
with this constitution the Grand Chapter, in
December Of 1923, adopted series of rules and
regulations, which, in 1866, were amended, SO as
10 add to the list OF those who composed the
Grand Chapter all High Priests, Kings and Scribes
for the time being OF subordinate chapters under
the jurisdiction. The Marklodgcs were instituted
In this city as fOllows:--Concordia No. 67, May
as, 1926; ceased July 3, 1882 Columbia No. 81,
March IL, 1925. Zerubbabel No. 2l3, May 20,
1s39 ceased December u, 1S41. Girard No. 214,
May H. lS47. Excelsior No. ZIG, February 20, 1854.
at the annual grand communication of tho
Grand Holy Royal Arch Chapter Of Pennsylvania.
held December u, 1850, the Most Excellent Grand
High Priest Companion, George Grscom, stated
THAT throughout Pennsylvania are seen evidences
pf increasing zeal, assduty and devotion to the
Interests Of Royal arch Masonry; and from every
quarter come up constantly evidences OF deter
ninatiOn to acquire and TO maintain our work in
its purity and original strength, Royal Arch Ma
sonry in Pennsylvania has within the ten years
last past advanced by rapid strides to a condition
which assures for II the position of a leading
bower in the commonwealth OF Free Masonry
around the globe
lbout seventy (which seven are located in Pha-
Helphia, exclusive Of three Mark lodges before
referred TO. From the latest return of chapters
IN the United States. for which we are indie bted to
Past Grand Companion j. L. Hatchinson, We learn
The following facts in reference to this order:-
Alabama, 40 Chapters 2,j23 members; Arkan-
pas, As Chapters, ,iS0 members; Canada. 3j
Chapters ,d33 members; California 81 Chapters
] SAG members; Connecticut, u Chapters, 3,4l5
members; District OF Columbia, 8 Chapters, 637
members; Florida, l6 Chapters, 492 members;
Georgia, So Chapters, 2,l09 members; Illinois, 1S2
Chapters, 6,9Sl members: Indiana, 70 Chapters,
b,Ol8 members; Iowa, as Chapters, ,66S members;
Kansas, 10 Chapters, 35l members; Kentucky, 81
Chapters, 2,70l members: Louisiana, "a Chapters,
4 400 members Maine. 81 Chapters, 1858 mem
bcrs; Maryland, 10 Chapters, $40 members; Mas
pachusetts, A Chapters, 5,Oo5 members;
Michigan. e6 Chapters, 4,4s7 members; Missis,
sppi, ~ Chapters, 2,576 members; Missouri, AZ
Chapters, 2,014 members; Minnesota, IL Chap
icrs; Nebraska, Chapters 1873 members; New
Jersey, 10 Chapters, l. Ills members; New Hamp-
ehire, IL Chapters ,l4g members; North Carolina,
so Cb lpters, ], ,O4s members; New York, l56 Chap
kers. 1927 members; Ohio, log Chapters, $3.50
members; Pennsylvana, 60 Chapters, 6,3ls mem
hers: Rhode Island, Chapters, 9l3 members;