The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-07-03
FRArERNAL RELATIONS orr.
Grand High Priest stefiner Issues MANI
festo to Chapter Masons.


Omcials Of the Grand Chapter OF koyai
Arch Nelson's Of Virginia. living IN Rich
,oond. were much surprised yesterday
~ the receipt Of the following letter.
..rhe Grand CHAPTER of Royal Arch Ma
Sons of the Commonwealth Of Va.
office OF J. u. Steiner. Grand High Priest.
bristol. Va, July !, 1884.
ITO the officers. Deputies, Representa-
tives. and Members Of this sovereign
Jurisdiction:
"A constituent member OF this Grand
Chapter in good and regular standing
aud against whom no moral objections
were raised. has been denied Abundance
80 ~ subordinate Chapter in lennsyiVa-
nia. in violation Of the reciprocal llghls
guaranteed by the exchange of Grand
Representatives between the Grand Chap
tiers mentioned
THE matter has occasionod considera-
bic correspondence, with the result that
PENNSYLVANIA CURLY informs us that no
amends will be made and that they re-
serve the right to admit only such mem
bcrs as shall pass some certain tests inn
uosed by them. and for purpose and Of
a character unknown TO our system of
capitular masonry. and peremptorily de-
clincs our courteous request that they
give us assurance that each and every
constituent Of this Grand Chapter will
Doe received and ACKNOWLEDGED without
further requirement than that they shall
DE i'm good and regular standing and shall
be properly proven or vouchcd for as
Royal Arch Masons and are Of good moral
yepute.
Nov. therefore we. J. p. Steiner
Grand High Priest Of the Grand Chapter
Of Royal Arch Mas0ns Of the Common
wealth of Virginia, abiding by the an
cient charges that the honor and inter-
osts OF this Grand Chapter and its MEM
bers should De always near our heart
and standing by our oath TO defend the
rights and privileges OF our royal craft
al home ors when travelling I'm foreign
countries. and in pursuance of a desire
10 secure peace and harmony I'm our Grand
Chapter by preventing the introduction
OF strange doctrines among the wOrkmen.
therefore IL is hereby declared that the
exchange OF so-callcd fraternal relations
between our Grand Chapter and the
Grand Chapter Of Pennsylvania DO belle
their name and are "a fraud upon our
conscenccs AMI subversive of the sublime
principles sought to be inculcated by our
order. therefore we hereby abrogate, cam
eel. sever. and set aside all or any fur
Their fraternal relations or communica-
tons with the Grand Chapter of Penn
sylvania and its constituents. severally
or Individually, this edict 10 become ef-
fective al once and TO continue until tho
said Grand Chapter OF Pennsylvania shall
acknowledge this Grand Chapter to be
the only authority having power to pre-
scribe the actions Of our members and
shall cease TO attempt To interfere in
ara no xtsff no ffTf
ment OF this Sovereign Grand Body, and
shall consent to accept each and every
constituent Of this Grand Chapter with
out the least distinction.
And II is further ordered that the
Representatives to ana from the Grand
Chapter of Pennsylvania shall at once
return their commissions 10 the Grand
Secretary from whence received.
And the High Priests of Virginia are
hereby required to deny admittance TO
their several Chapters under all clrcum-
stances or conditions. TO Royal Arch
Mason Of the Grand Chapter Of Penn
s.lvania.
Anticipating your usual prompt and
courteous attention. l remain
"iraternallv
-. y STEFFNEE.
Grand High Priest.
seen In regard to the matter, but II
they know the immediate cause of tie
trouble they keep as quiet about if as
only Masons can.
one Of them said that Virginia and per-
hays one other State were the only ones
in The country not in the General Grand
Jhantor OF the United states. He init
mated thar there had been friction be-
tween the bodies by reason OF efforts 10
force Virginia into the General Grand
Chapter and that the trouble had proba-
bly, grown ont OF this.
The ediC, % the Grand High Priest re
rams operative until the Grand Chapter
meets. whom the question win come up
before the Grand body.
Tire course,pursucd by the Grand High
Priest IS Of extremely rare occurrence
and no other instance can be recalled
where tho various Masonic bodies I'm the
United States have had such serious df-
ferenccs.