New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-09-19
THE GRAND COWU1NUERI.

The Grand Commandcry Of knights Tempar In
the State Of NcwYork mt in It's e!shty-fourth
annual ,onclave AZ jamestown Tuesday 10
O'Clock n. IN Afier tho preliminary ceremony OF
announcing tho grand officers and their reception.
they were escorted to their several stations. when
tho opening ceremony was completed. and the
Il. L. Grand Commander Sir John a Mapes de-
Glazed Grand Commandcry opened IN due and
nmplc form. lie read his annual ADDRESS. in which
he said I'm pnrt.
To the Officers and Members OF tie Grand COM
uand.ry OF ~" State Of New YORK
Sir Knights: Since We last mot In annual con.
events whether for good or ill., have passed into
history. and y" cannot. II We would. erase them
hope that our mistakes and f4iluroe. whatever they
may na' - ccr my De o'tt,ooa'1 ana orSott.n
except to serve as DANCE signals. ana that our
successes. which. with the help OF benehcent
Providence. hav" been many and encouraging may
spur Us or TO increased effort and still greater
Notwithstanding the stringency OF the times and
The financial depression which have been 80 de'pv
felt throughout our whole country. the last year
has been ono " gr"at prosperity for our order In
this Jurisdiction The most perfect harmony has
prevailed among MS; discussions have been prac-
iicaly unknown. the ties OF flhierna affection have
been lons'hcnc1 and s,rength.nGd and our ranks
the benefits OF the order and It's cl'vatng influence
upon humanity have enlisted under orr banners %
become, as "" nope, with us. valiant soldiers OF
the Cross. our relations with sister Jurisdictions
Not ripple OF dlsse H. or COMPLAINT from any
sorrcc has appeared 70 disturb the surface 81 the
fourth annual conclaNe In perfect peace with all
the Tcmplar world
hearts to Him who's" Fathcrhood gladly rerog-
nizc for all His goodn' 10 ana for the guiding
hand with which He has 80 lovingly led us
throughout tn" year.
He then tourhingly speaks Of the knlrhtly deal
and pays a trbut" OF respect TO the memory OF
those who since tn last conceive have sheathcd
their swords for the last time, stepped from tn.
ranks and now await us on the othcr shore he
mentioned especially Sir Robert Black. Past Grand
Commander. Charles r McClenechan and many
others
Tn" next annual conclave will be held at Go
neva on the fourth Tuesday In October. 1898.
The r'rort OF tho Grand Recorder shows A graft
fying Increase IN membership: In view OF the
general depression IN financial matters. any IN
ton Beginning our Tempar year on iTmS Ss
with IN active membership OF II O37 knights there
1897. 7o1 After dcducting those who nave been
dropped from tho roll for yment OF dues and
agc. We had upon our roster at the date last men
toned 1876 valiant knights. thus showing tha,
our increase $3.50 has not fallen behind that Of the
past more prosperous years. but has I'm fact. been
In excess thereof. Unfortunately these figures do
not show our present member ship. for I have rpa-
to know that since June comma nderies
have been especially active. and an unusually large
heartily congratulate the officers and members OF
our subordinate commentaries upon the success
behalf OF tho order. To them, and to them alone.
tho year. In making this acknow ledGnent | am
not unm.ndfu OF the fact that numbers alone are
not the true test Of success One unworthy name
added to our rolls will more than coun terba lance
the addition OF ten worthy ones; ! am. however.
familiar with the care which ts being exercised
by our subordinate bodies In this respect that |
have fear whatever that any desire for In
creased membership Will induce any of them In
the slightest degree to lower the standard OF quail
ihcation for admission TO the order
The entire proc ceilings were marked by complete
and absolute arnonv ana oneness OF purpose
The election In the same shirt OF harmony.
SIR John Little was elected Grand Warder by
unanimous vote
The following the Grand Commandery officers
for the ensuing Templar year: Sir Arthur Mac
Arthur. Troy. II. T. Grand Command er: Sir George
Nicholson, Brooklyn. " f. Deputy Grand Com.
Generalissimo: Sir lanes 3 Manning, New York
f. Grand Captain-General the Rev Cornelius l..
Irving BROOKLYN, r. Grand Preate: Sir Charles IT.
Armtage. Albany h. Grand Senior Warden; Sir
Erastus e. Delavan. Binghamton. Il. Grand Junior
Warden; Sir Ralph G. Chrisliance. Ithaca. L.
Grand Treasurer: sir John r. Shafer. Albany. f..
Grand Recorder; Sir William J. Maxwell. Brooklyn.
r. Grand Standard Bearer: Sir Charles ID. Bing-
ham Watertown, T.. Grand Sword Bearer, and Sir
John Little. New-York. r. Grand Warder. No
made The Committee on Uniform. after very
animated discussion. received considerable instruc-
lion and many points" and was continued to re-
mort al the next annual conclave.
Commandery was reafirmed In Decision No OF
Grand Commander Sir John A. Mapes. and he
recommended TO leave II there. This rule IL that
when a Sir knight is suspended in lodge or chap
Ter for non payment OF dues he loses his member
shin IN The comma ndery until he regains his stand
Ing ana ~ luII! restoieu III '"c so-cdHeu lower
bodies.
rho parade held on Tuesday was OF the finest
over seen In this State, and was much enjoyed BY
the citizens of jamestown