The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-02-14
THE ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER.


form In annual grand convocatlon yesterday
at Holiness Lyceum, at u NJ. Present
Comps James A. Hoyt, NJ. E. G. q. P; James
Birnie, R. E. D. G. Il. p; E. W. Lloyd, R. E.
G. king; ". q. D. Gaillard, R. E. G. scrioe
G. Frank Jackson, R. E. G. treasurer; Angus
tine I. smythe, B. E. G. secretary; B. q. Hern'
don, R. E. G. G. H.; Harris C3vngton, K E.
G. R. A. G..
A constitutional quorum being found preseat
the Grand Chapter was opened In due and
solemn form.
On motion of Comp Henry Bulst, 1t was
Resolved, That the reading OF the minutes
of the last convocation be dispensed with,
printed copies being in the hands OF tine meln.
bers, and tnat the minutes, as printed, oe con-
flrmed.
On motion Of Comp. Augustine T. smylhe,
it was
Resolved, That all Royal Arch Masons In
GOOD standing be allowed 10 attend the con-
vocation of this Grand Chapter.
At the request OF the Grand Chapter, the
grand high priest then presented his annual
address as follows:
Grand High Priests Address.
Conapanions- more we are assembled
around the altar OF Masonry, 10 counsel 10.
gelher concerning the interests OF the royal
craft within this Jurisdiction. Another year
has been added to the cycles OF the past, ana
we owe debt Of gratitude to our Heavenly
Father ior His watchful care and kind preser-
vation. Let us recognize The deep oblga-
tIous we are under to love Him supremacy;
and as he was manifested to Moses from the
midst of the burning bush at Mount Horeb, 30
we should humbly seek to have His diVlRe
favor and benign countenance revealed unto
us, that all our works may De pleasing IN his
sight, and our feet be guided in tue paths Of
duty and reciitude, While convened in
this sanctuary of our sacred tabernacle.
away from the rude gaze Of the world
and shielded from It's many temptations,
we should strive to promote harmony ana
unity OF purpose In all our actions, actuateo
by that fervency and zeal which are rignt1ully
denominated the principal CHARACTERISTICS Oh
Royal Arch Masons Relying upon DIVINE
favor for support and guidance, ana WIN pure 8.
intentions and Jealous purposes, lne result VI
our deliberalions at this time must rebound 10
the honor and glory of the institution WIN
which we are connected.
In submitting an account Of my official trans
actions duriag the past year, 1t may be Well 10
premise that private duties and engagements
have prevented any considerable enoft upon
Arch Masonry throughout this jurisdiction oy
personal visits to subordinate chapters, Whicn
would have afforded me unusual pleasure, |
have no doubt, If circumstances had permitted.
But Il ia q source Of unmixed gratidcatlon TO
me that entire harmony prevails among tne
subordinate chapters, so far as am informed,
and that naught has arisen during the past year
to merit cens,ire or reproof from your presid-
ing officer. The growth and prosperity OF the
subordinate chapters, for the past several
wears, has been unusually progres5lVe; ana IL
is my opinion that period has been reacheo
when we may take retrospective view anu
learn much that Is valuable. Masonry III gen
eral has been exceedingly popular, anu tne
capitular degrees have been sought oy nun
progression has induced hasty growth OF
membership, and In many cases the zeal man
Tested at the threshold OF our sacred taoer'
uacle has expired with the completion OF the
rItualIstic usages. The candidate mas received
the degrees in such an Informal and hurried
manner that he has failed 10 imoi0e Ine glor,.
ons principles which lie buried beneath our
synbolIsms; and after few visits TO the
c6aptpr. where he witnesses similar attempts
upon others, he drops away altogether from
attendance, and becomes that nondescript
character-an Indifferent Mason. appeal 10
YOU, nv companions, to sustain the trutnlul,
ness of the picture, and that 1t has not oeen
time has arrived TO look at these matters
soberly and seriously. The surge OF populari-
| ty has measurably receded, and among Inc
older chapters of this jurisdiction, especially,
| vast amount of material has been ex.
| hausted, and many r. A. Masons are
numbered among the non-amnatea. asau,ie as Ine
tide ebb3 aud flows, 80 we may confidently
expect that the present almost letharglc con.
ditIon of many chapters will not continue. and
| That another wave will bear along numberless
applicants for the capitular degrees. Such De
| lug the case, 1t is o propilioUs time to recon-
| mend remedial measures, ana Would earn
e,tly urge upon the subordinate chapters
| closer scrutiny iatu the fitness oil candidates
| In the first place, and more careful exercise o.
| patience In teaching the ritual. This topic
might be probably pursued yet further, OUT
| trust the reflections already nude Will nance
| my companions to give II serious contider
| alton. -.
Shortly after the last conVccaiion Of the
Grand Chapter, received communicate
from Comp. Henry Buist,. OF Charlie ston, In
| forming me that he had been commissioned
| by the Grand Royal Arch Chapter Of Maine. as
| its representative, near the Grand Royal Arcf
Chapter of South Carolina. In response te
this communication I extended to the disiin
gulshed companion a cordial recogniton 81
ter. and doubt not that my acton vii
meet with your warm approval. Comp. Buls1
will probably submit his credentials as
Grand representative of Maine, at the present
conyccation, and would recommend that
| he be received and welcomed In an appropri'
ale manner.
have likewise been notified that our R. E.
grand secretary, Comp. Augustine 7. Smythe,
has received the appointment OF representa-.
| tive. near this Grand Chapter, of the Grand
CHAPTER of Kan saa, and would recommend
similar action when his credentials are sub
mitted.
On the 5th of April, 1871, assisted by the
R. +. deputy grand high priest, and Z. E.
grand scribe, l constituted Honea Path Chap
ter, No. SO, 10 which warrant OF constitution
was granted at the last annual conVocatlon.
The Ceremonies were made public, and the
Guiding O number of ladies'. The wisdom OF
The Grand Chapter in establishing subordl-
nate chapter at Honea Path was confirmed by
thorough preparation of the neee sslry factil-
ties 10 perform the authorized work, and the
familiar acquaintance of the various officers
with their respective duties.
On the 9Th of April, 1871, / constituted
Greenwood Chapter, No. 81, 10 which char.
ter was also gIauted at the last cony ocation OF
the Grand Chapter. Was assisted by the K.
e. grand scribe nd E. grand captain Of the
host. The Intelligence and assldulty of the
officers and members of Greenwood Chapter
afforded much satisfaction 10 myself and the
other grand officers present, and 1t Is not haz-
ardous 10 say that no chapter was ever organ
lied within this Jurisdiction under more IA
vorable a1spices.
The twepty-6rst Trennial Convention OF
the General Grand Chapter Of the United
States was held in the City of Baltimore, Nd,