Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-07-03
ORDER NOT TO ADMIT
VIRGINIA CHAPTERS NOT OPEN TO
PENNSYLVANIA MAsOys,
BREAK IN PRATERNAL RELATIONS.
Refusal of n Subordinate Chapter in
the keystone State To Receive nm
Old Dominion rrafer Causes High
Priest steiner to Issue n Tart Edict

Mr. J. p. Steiner. Of Bristol, Grand
High Priest OF the Grand Royal Arch
Chapter Of Virginia Masons, has issued
an order severng all further fraternal
relations with the Grand Chapter OF
Pennsylvania and its constituents. di-
recting representatives to and from the
Grand Chapter OF Pennsylvania TO re-
turn their commissions and requiring
the high priests of Virginia TO deny ad-
mittance TO their chapters to Pennsyl-
vania Royal Arch Masons.
Official copies of this letter which
came as a great surprise TO members of
the craft, were received here yesterday.
The Grand High Priests action is the
result Of the refusal of a Pennsylvania
chapter to admit a member of the Vir-
ginia Grand Chapter in good standing,
and against whom no more objections
were raised.
GRAND HIGH PRIESTS LETTER.
This is Mr.. steffner's letter:
THE Grand Chapter Of Royal Arch
Alasons Of the Common'th OF Va,
"Ofiice OF j. T.. Steiner,
Grand High Priest.
Bristol. Va. July l. 1897.
ITO the Officers, Deputies. Representa-
tives and Members of this Sovereign
Jurisdiction:
"A constituent member Of this Grand
Chapter, in good and regular standing,
and against whom 10 moral objections
were raised, has been denied admittance
10 a subordinate chapter in Pennsylvania,
In violation of the reciprocal rights guar
anteed by the exchange OF Grand Repre-
gCnfaffKFae iqfVy4an fIa Grand l.nIutfri
mentioned.
"The matter has occasioned consider
able 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
hers as shall pass some certain tests i'm
posed by them, and for purpose ana OF
a character unknown TO our system OF
capitular Masonry and pcremptOrlly de-
clines our courteous request that they
give us assurance that each and every
constituent OF this Grand Chapter VIII
be received and acknowledged without
further requirement than that they shall
be i'm good and regular standing. and shall
be properly proven or vOuched for as
ROYAL Arch Masons, and are OF good
moral rcDute.
Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter
OF Royal Arch MasOns Of the Common
wealth Of Virginia, abiding by the an
cient charges that the honor and inte-
rests or tNlS ildNt tIdpttF anu It's ui'iil-
bers should be always near our heart
and standing by our oath to defend the
rights and privileges Of our royal craft
at home. or when travelling i'm foreign
countries. and in pursuance Of desire
TO secure peace and harmony in our
Grand Chapter by preventing the intro
duction of strange doctrines among the
wOrkmen, therefore, il IS hereby declared
that the exchange Of sO-callcd traternal
relations between our Grand Chapter ana
the Grand Chapter Of Pennsylvania DO
belle their name. and are fraud upon
our consciences and sUbversive Of the
sublime principles sought to be inculcated
by our order: therefore. we hereby aDfO-
gate. cancel, sever, and set aside all or
any further fraternal relations or com
municatiOns with the Grand Chapter OF
PENNSYLVANIA and It's constituents, seVe-
rally or individually. this edict TO be-
come effective at once, and 10 continue
until the said Grand Chapter OF Pennsyl-
vania shall acknowledge TINS Grand
CHARTER TO be the only authority having
power TO prescribe the actions OF our
members, and shall cease 10 attempt "a
Interfere I'm matters that are wholly
within the Judgment of this sovereign
Grand body. and shall consent TO accept
each ana every constituent of this Grand
Chapter without the least distinction
"And it is further ordered that the
representatives TO and from the Grand
CHAPTER of Pennsylvania shall at once
return their. commissions TO the Grand
Secretary. from whence received.
and the nigh priests OF Virginia are
hereby required TO deny admittance 10
their several chapters under all circum-
stances or conditions 30 "a ROYAL Afcl
Mason Of the Grand Chapter of Pennsyi'
Participating your usual prompt and
courteous attention, / remain,
"Fraternally. J. =. STEFFNER,
Grand High Priest