New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-07
ROYAL ARCH M4SONS.
THE ONE-HuNDREDTH ANNUAL CONvo-
CATION OF THE GRAND CHAPTER

VII "iu Nhapter or Royal Arch MasOns in the State
OF New-iork was held in the new Masonic Temple
IN the City of Albany last Tuesday and Wednesday
Nearly one thousand companions devoted to the
Capitular Rite assembled in the large hall of this
masnifcent structure and showed by their enrnest-
ness the faith that is within them.
Precisely at IL o'clock Tuesday morning r. f.
John w. Palmer, Grand Captain OF the Host an
nounced that tho Grand High Priest Grand Chap
ter officers and representatives Of foreign Grand
Chapters were waiting and az the big organ poured
out it's PAGAN. the dignitaries OF the Royal Craft
marched in and assumed their proper stations ac-
cording TO ancient custom and which was seen at
this time In the city of Albany for the one-hun-
dreth time. The ceremony OF opening n chapter Of
Royal Arch Masons performed I'm full form,
and Nj. T. George T.. w. Stivers declared the Grand
Chapter of the State Of New York opened In due
and ample form
Companion James Ten Eycl as president of the
Albany Masonic Temple Association bid the Grand
Chapter welcome in the new building. which now is
the home OF the fraternity in the Capital City
After this the Grand High Priest read his address
which was, in part follows:
greet and extend to you the right hand OF fell
lowship ana fraternal welcome to this the one
hundreth annual convocatiOn Of this Grand chapter.
of life: meet here in the sacred tabernacle. apart
from the world. to renew the Old and to form new
ties.
Another milestone on our Masonic pathway las
been reached once more upon our holy oily ALTA o}. Te
the providence OF Almighty God we are perm,tted
10 assemble nNuff tnf mos, ldNofdDW 'oH"'tipHH
land in our new home) to render account OF our
stewardship nd to egislate for our future, We
Jurisdiction of renewed interest in our beloved in
snSn inc rcdurms OF ndmhershp u and nd 1on
graduate you upon the fact that we nave reached
the high mark at which we aimed az me DEFINING
/ of the year-a substantial growth OF our COM
munity. ,.,,,,
fuI crnftsmen met IN this city ana instituted ms
GraDd Chapter and like the grea' strong oaks which
from little ?corns grow ii has grown and flour
Z he'd "a
this noble tree Of ours, strong In BODY WIN rs ~
branches. from which have sprouted 2oOo leaves
Is spreading It's benign influence almost everywhere
The founders OF this body buided better than
they knew conspicuous among whom was De WIT
Clinton the gentleman and scholar, Its first Grand
High Priest; whose subsequent career as states
man added lustrc TO his name-a beloved com,
panion. whose memory Will always be honored ana
We can readily imagine from the indestructibe
character of Masonry small number OF earnest
workers thus coming together for its common good;
with determination to foster its interests and
pcrpetuae the principles OF the Roya nrat, oT r 1ae
were influential in society. OF great WORTH
brany men. Of affairs. yet they Willingly gave
a suhiciencv of hei, valuable time 10 securely plant
and TO protec, for time the broad and deep foun-
datons OF the grand edihcc which We ana 'hof s,i
who shall after us as their successors VIII
strive TO complete. ,
We look back WITH gratitude 70 those founders
Of our institution with peaceful happiness IN the
present and stimulated by their example and en-
couraged and strengthened by the success OF 'hei
undertaking. greet with feelings OF pleasur". alu
satisfaction the beginning of our second century
confident from its past history Of hs future al
Of Capitula~ Masonry in this jurisdiction.
We mus not rest upon the achievements OF me
aast Lot Ma continue in thu paths or recttude ana
honor and rejoicing THAI tn principles OF Masonry
have heen guiding star. pass or to our destiny
with the courage of our CONVICTIONS
10 enc,,a in kind remembrance Of the dead. and
said:
Before reporting my Official acts and proceedings s
let refer to those WHO nave pnssru ' Dnn,h s
always with us and this fact We mlst race When
meeting in annual convoGauoh rho memory Of
! those who were members OF the Grand Chap,
W b nr GliSent aobr in our vineyard their
should he enrolled on our records
He spoke IL favor of official visits, and sail about
this
/ bodies ana know thai TIE results are both heneh-
c!al and lasting: i1at the chapters appreciate the
iormngi!ns o! grand officers with the companions
OF thelT obedience From my experence | more ,,,
year tna taesc visits are productive OF beneficial
cyidenc, Of pleasure and satisfaction. The COM
, panions We'd with each other in making our so
they had consideration. became acquainted with
their visitors exchanged views and advised with
Official visits create better feeling closer in;
and degrees They make better Masons Of rs all,
more interes "a officers ana members. The beau
ties OF our System. the grandeur and deep import OF
! the Lessons taught are better understood. could
| write pages Of our experiences, and know that
/ ana effor: that were dormant: and that they IN
spired earnestness and lmpressiveness in the work
jurisdiction and expressed the wish that the entire
state have concurrent Jurisdiction IT. in the iudg-
broad view. then let MS make some change in the
Min a9a a. e ca ' 1s to go
on dire. lines. Of railroad. lie; US do on,c'hine
/ for the relic: OF the many Master Masons who are
ready and willing to Join royal craft if hey
could have the right OF choice the cha pier OF
/ which they wish TO become members. On Long
/ Island instances have occurred where compa Mons
could much easier go to and from the city of New
! York Brooklyn. from their own homes. than they
/ could 20 from their own homes to the chapters
| holding jurisdiction. am constrained 10 speak
| wishes OF man, Of the craft both symbolic and
capiuar and as we are now entering upon our sec
ond century let us turn over new leaf OF progress
| in that direction The Assistant Grand Lecturers
are attaches OF the Grand Chapter they are faith.
full workers in the craft: their office Is to instruct
the less informed: they ar" In close touch with orr
Grand Lecturer to carry out his instructions ana
/ recommend that BY an amendment 10 the constitu-
ton tho title of Right Excellent be- conferred upon
/ them This slight recognition il but small reward
| for their services. Their duties are as important
! those of the Grand Representatives. and sin
/ cerey trust this recommendation Will be fdyorabiy
/ considered ! also recommend tina. the Grand Chap
ter cause 10 be prepared suitably engraved form
nlent Of It's officers 70 be issued to the ihcumbents
as souvenir OF their official relations 20 the grand
He spoke OF the visit to the Maaonic Home at
Utica and congratulated the brethren OF Albany
anG ca nH' thsir Mas6nc home
Depnty Grand High Priest John Webb, ir. read
his brief but very concise report. dwelling par
icularlv upon the proficiency of candidates before
advancing them. The report OF the Grand Treas
urer was read. showing a subsianiia' sum In the
funds.
r. T. Christopher G. Fox then read his report
which as usual model one and unique In
lis funess and correctness. One hundred and
ciphtv-seven chapters made return, showing "a
J. toial membership of $3.50 Royal Arch MasOns in
F this state a net gain over last year of 4m The
ARREST chapter has Cos members. the smallest Il:
. The entire report most exhaustive one. ana
. clc,ted great applause and universal approval
Tba reuort of the Committee on Foreign Core
snondonce. r. T.. George j. gardner chairman
was given out which is gem OF Masonic htera-
. .ure covering fOrty-thrce "haDters.
The various standing committees were then ap-
,oir.ed and the Grand CHAPTER took recess TO
Wdcosd@t morning when the election Of officers
was held resulting as f2lI9ws I9nn "G Psiurr
RrooLIvn Deputy Grand High Priest; Joseph A
Crone Rochester Grand King; j. Harris Balston'