The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-08-20

The general grand chapter OF the
Royal Arch Masons of the United States
will convene in this city tomorrow and
be in session al the rest Of the week
The body is one of the highest in all
Masonry, and the 400 delegates viii rep
resent not less than 10000 Royal Arch
Masons in America. All the past grand
high priests will be here to participate in
the convocation- In addition to them
there viii be a representative of every
grand chapter in the Republic, cOmpris-
ing the three council officers of every
one of them. This council does not meet
frequently, and as such a concourse of
Masonic dignity is not witnessed oftener
than every three years. the interest Of
the fraternity in it may be understood.
Many Of the prominent memb ers viii
come with the delegations from the east
ern and New England states, but other
states and sections will send men high in
the councils of Masonry. Washington
Will send George f. Corson and Kentucky
Bernard g. Witt, who is now general
grand master of the second veil, but who
is to be promoted to the third in room of
Nathan Kingsley of Minnesota, a promi-
nent delegate and Mason, whose next
dignity will be Royal Arch Captain.
or international Character.
There will be general shifting of posi-
tions, since il must choose a successor to
a deceased dignitary- This choice may
fall to George L. McCahan, who has so
faithfully discharged the duties Of deputy
general grand high priest.
In the forthcoming meeting there will
be 1850 subordinate enrolled chapters to
deal with exclusive Of % subordinate
chapters in the territories, and as the
Sandwich Islands and the Chinese En-
pire are under the imm ediate Jurisdiction
Of the general grand chapter, the delib-
erations Will necessarily assume some
thing of an international character.
These foreign chapters Will make repre-
sensations in their own behalf for more
direct self-g Government, than it has here
tofore been possible for them to enjoy.
The fraternal relations with the grand
chapters throughout the world are of the
most friendly nature; but official rela-
tiOns are to be established on a scale
hitherto uninterrupted. Indeed, over
lures have been received from the digni-
taries and grand chapters of England,
Scotland, Ireland. Siam, Japan. Brazil
and Australia. Publications will also be
transmitted to the brethren of Germany
and Russia 1t IS hardly overestimating
the Importance of the foreign relations
in the convocatiOn to say that they will
form one of the most Interesting and ami
mated portions Of the proceedings. This
condition of things promises to be pro-
pitious to the general desire to erect
Masonic monuments in various parts of
the country These memorials, while
special attention to the services of many
eminent masons to their country. A
commission will probably be appointed
to investigate this matter.
Powers of the COnvOcatiOn.
The cOnvocation viii also have to adj
Indicate various decisions which have
been promulgated BY the grand chapters
of the several states, but they are ali
comparatively unimpOrtant. The au-
thority Of the convention, however, is by
no means absolute.
There viii be special ceremonies com
memorative of the death of Joseph Potts
Horror, general grand high priest Of the
general grand chapter, whose death rem
ders SO many elections necessary. These
viii be conducted in accordance with the
ritual, and, as the deceased Mason had
attained an unusual degree of Masonic
dignity, having been elevated to the SOW
erelgn grand inspector generalship of
the thirtythird degree, the ceremonies
will be Of special interest to the general
ity OF the delegates.
The general grand secretary, Christie
pher c. Fox, viii present the tirennial re-
port It's contents are never revealed I'M
til the cOnyocatiOn IS in session. and even
then are not transmitted for perusal en-
tire. Advance excerpts from it show an
increase in every state. Contributions to
the general grand chapter are promptly
made and are very encouraging. Eng
land has sent tokens Of fraternaI esteem
and Masonic regard Europe Is in entire
sympathy with the American grand
chapter.
The convention will be in session about
i've days. There promises to be a very
lively contest between the east and
south for the next tirennial meeting in
1897. The southern delegates will sun
port Atlanta, Ga, while the east will be
divided between Philadelphia, New York
and Boston The delegation from the
Nirginias viii favor Washington, ID. c.
Delegates Arriving
Beginning with yesterday the differ
ent representatives began to arrive, and
the Ihroop and the Copeland registers
are we'll filed with the names of distin-
guished Masons.
Only few Of the large number are
here At present, but the arrivals will con
tinue through the night and tomorrow
and the number expected will reach the
neig hborhOod of three hundred
The first meeting will be that of the
general grand council royal and select
which viii be held at the Ma
sonic hall on Jackson street tomorrow
at ten o'clock.
The reception to the delegates will
take place at the hall tomorrow evening.
n one but invited guests will be Drese6t
On Wednesday morning at the Grand
opera house there viii be a reception to
the members Of the general grand chap
ter.
On the same day the meeting Of the
general grand chapter Of the Royal Arch
Masons viii take place at the hall
Thursday viii be the big day Of the ex-
cursion to Fort Riley over the Union
Pacific and the train will leave the North
Topeka depot at eight o'clock.
Spencer p. Wade has been made the
general marshal and his aides are W NJ
Quinon and Frank Brooks