The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-12-02
Grand Royal Arch Chapter
 Largely Attended.
Grand Council R. 6 s. M. Elected Officers for Ensuing Year-Grand Lodge Will Meet Tonight
 at 7:30 O'clock.

The Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Ala Grand Convocation in the Chapter Hall, Masonic Temple, at 10 o'clock a. m. Mon- | day, December l. There were present in their stations: George F. Moore. M. E.. G. H. Priest; Charles R. iBricken, M. E. D. G. II. Priest; Basil M., Hill. R. E. l Grand King; Joseph P. Mcqueen. R. E. | Grand Scribe; William H. Dingley. R. F.. | G. Treasurer; George A. Beauchamp, R. | E. G. Secretary; Stewart Mcqueen. R. E. | c. Chaplain; l.. Lazarus as R. E. G. c. | of Host; E. S. Gatchell as E. G. P. So- l journer; Francis H. Bates. Marion. E. G. | R. A. Captain; R. w. Southerland, Mo- bile. E. c. M. of 3rd Vail; J. B. Chris | uan, Uniontown, E. G. M. of End Vail; W. w. Ransom as E. c. M. of 1st vail; Charles A. Allen. Montgomery, E.. Grand | Sentinel.
 Past Grand High Priests w. W. Screws | and E. S. Gatchell were also present. Representatives from nearly every su- l bordinate chapter in the State were also present, making the attendance the larg- | est in many years. The Grand Chapter was opened in ample form. Prayer by the | Grand Chaplain, Stewart McQueen. Grand High Priests Address.
 The M. E. High Priest, George F. Moore. delivered his annual address as | follows:
 Companions of the Grand Chapter: The Constitution of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the State of Ala bama was adopted on the second day of June, 1927. and we will today hold its | seventy-sixth annual convocation. Our 1 official circle is unbroken, Capitual Ma sonry- has prospered in our jurisdiction during the preceding year. and no con | tention or dispute has arisen in any su- bordnate chapter to disturb the har- mony which has prevailed throughout this section of the, Masonic fraternity. It is under these suspicious circumstances that | we meet and extend to each and all cor dial and fraternal greeting.
 | Condition of Royal Arch Masonry. Two years ago when you elected me Grand High Priest, there were in this | State S56 Royal Arch Masons. We have now on our rolls nearly twice as many members as there were on December l, | 1900. For this increase in membership your High Priest does not claim credit. It Is due to the zealous labor of our Grand Secretary, and my only merit in l this direction consists in having received | from him when he was first appointed promise to use his best efforts to build | up our subordinate chapters. How well and faithfully he has kept this promise is shown by the figures above given. l We have now thirty-six Chapters, but the number 123 of one established latest indicates that many have failed in their efforts to build the Temple and that we have had our times of diversity. But even when our ranks were thin and our chapters few, the degree of the Royal Arch has held the esteem and the active support of many of the best men of Ala bama.
 In the year our Constitution was adopt ed 0s2O Companion John Murphy, who was then Governor of the State, was elected Grand High Priest. This position has been held by many of those who have filled important positions in the af- fairs of our commonwealth Among them have been w. P. Chiffon and David Clop- ton. Judges of the Supreme Court: w. w. Screws, Secretary of State; H. Clay Arm strong and John c. Harris State Superin- tendents of Education; James E. Cobb and J. McCaleb Wiley, Judges of the Cir cult Court. It is incumbent on us to con- tinue to conduct the affairs of the Grand Chapter so that we may have the confi- dence and esteem of all good men.
 A Portrait.
 This Grand body is one of those which compose the General Grand Chapter of the United States. "In Colonial days there came to the territory of Alabama from Connecticut a Royal Arch Mason whose name was Ephraim Kirby. He was one of the judges. man of ability and integrity, and the grandfather of the noted Southern General E. Kirby Smith. An interesting sketch of his life has been published by Hon. Thomas M. Owen, Di- rector of the Department of History and Archives of the State. No stone marks the grave of this distinguished Mason, and MT. Owen has written me suggesting that as Judge Kirby was General Grand High Priest of the General Grand Chap ter, the Grand Chapter of Alabama might, by having his portrait painted and hung | in the Department of History in the State Capitol. pay fitting tribute to his mem ory. It seems to me that it would be graceful thing to do; and that in thus honoring a son of Connecticut. who be- came a citizen of the territory of Ala bama and who ended his life within our border we will testify that as Royal Arch Masons, we give our approval to every craftsman who brings up good time and square work for inspection.
 The address set out many official acts as to dispensations, etc. which are omit ted from this pubication]
 New Chapters.
 On June 18th. 1902, issued dispensation to E. Companion J. A. Savage and eight other Companions to form and organize a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons at Jack son, Ala to be known as Jackson Chap ter. No. 119.
 On August 18th, 1902, I issued dispensa- ton to E. Companion Joseph H. Edwards and eight other Companions to form and organize a Chapter of Royal Arch Ma sons at Ensley, Ala. to be known as Cunningham Chapter. No. 120.
 On August 29th, 1902. issued dispensa- tion to F. Companion J. M. P. Otis. Jr., and eight other Companions to form and organize a Chapter of Royal Arch Ma sons at Greensboro. Ala, to be known as Phoenix Chapter. No. 1A.
 On October 9th 1902. issued dispensa- ton to E. Companion s. H. Daley and eight other Companions to form and or ganize a Chapter at Monroeville. Ala, to be known as Monroe Chapter. No. 123.
 Chapters Reorganized.
 On February 4th 1902. issued dispen- sation to E. Companion William C. Bled- soc and eight other Companion to reor- ganize Concord Chapter, No. 7, at Lafay- cite. Ala.
 On June 9th. 1902, issued dispensatlon to E. Companion B. Dudley Williams and eleven other Companion to reorganlze Anniston Chapter, No. 1o5, at Anniston, Ala.
 Grand Representatives.
 By a resolution adopted by the Grand Chapter at it's last anual ccnvocation, the commissions of the several representa- ..... r.a.,, .bis Grand ChaOter exnired at