The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-01

Charles R. Bricken. Luverne. M. E. C.. H. Priest. .
 Basil M. fill. sprinsville. M. E. D. G.
 Joseph P. Mcoueen. Eutaw. R. E.' Grand King. | Francis H.. Bates, Hamburg. R. E. Grand Scribe. 2
 William H. Dingley. Montgomery. R. E. 1 c. Treasurer.
 George A. Beauchamp. Montgomery. R. E. c. Secretary. | Stewart Mcqueen. Montgomery. R. E. G. Chaplain.
 | Robert S. Teague, Montgomery, as R. E. c. c. of Host.
 | Lew Lazarus. Birmingham. E., c. F. Sojourner. -.--
 John B. Lyons of Opelika as E. c. R. Arch Captain.
 John B. Christian. Uniontown, E. G. M. of 3d Veil.
 ! W. W. Ransom of Birmingham as E. U. M. of 2d Veil
 J. D. Mattock of Birmingham as E. c. M. of 1st Veil.
 Charles A. Allen. Montgomery. P. Grand Sentinel.
 Past Grand officers present were: Past Grand High Priests John c. Harris and W. W. Screws of Montgomery; Josiah Jernigan of Troy and Edward 6. Gatchell of Selma. '-t
 There were present High Priests. Kings and Scribes or their proxies from nearly ali of the subordinate chapters. The. Chapter was opened in ample form and prayer was offered by the Chaplain, Rev. Stewart Mcqueen Address of High Priest.
 The first business was the address of the Grand High Priest, C. R. Bricken, pooA hly hfuA thA nrtnNfnol points of which were as follows: | To the Most Excellent Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the State of Alabama. Companions: In bidding you welcome to this, the seventy.seventh annual con- vocation of this Grand Chapter, do so with sentiments of the deepest gratitude to God the Father Almighty, the su- preme Ruler of the Universe, for the manifold blessings bestowed upon our fraternity since our last grand convoca- tion.
 We have reached an era in our exist ence gratifying in the extreme, and l bring you. the glad tidings that our mem- bership has increased 25 to 30 per cent. since our last Grand Convocation. Five new chapters having been instituted and three defuncs chapters having been re- 0s5ap'iSn, oar fnanel are also in m4t srat. flying state; Its true conditions will be shown by the, reports of the Grand Sec retary and Grand Treasurer.
 This condition of affairs Is largely at- trtbutable to the untiring efforts and zeal of our, beloved Grand Secretary Honorable George A. Beauchamp. have found him upon all occasions to be worthy and we'll qualified, prompt in re- sponse to every call to duty. obligine and painstaking, performing every duty Incumbent upon him in his responsible position with that high degree of enthu. siasm and efficiency characteristic of him as man and as Mason, and to him I accord in large degree the credit for the present most excellent condition oi affairs of Capitular Masonry in this State. Companion Beauchamp'e first at. tendance upon the Grand Chapter wal in the year 1894. At that Grand Convoca- ton he was appointed to the position of Excellent Grand Master of the 2nd Vail of this Grand Chapter. His efficien- cy. his fervency and zeal, his unbounded ardor and love for the order, caused him to be steadily advanced through the several official positions of this Grand Chapter until the Grand Convocation oi 1900 at which time he was elected to the office of Grand King. At this juncture by the unanimous suffrage of this Grand Chapter, he was called to serve us in a dinerent capacity, having been elected to the position he now fills. that of Grand Secretary, filling the vacancy incident to the death of our honored and revered and illustrious Companion H. Clay Arm. strong.
 With the much desired and highly hon. orable degree of Past Grand High Priest almost within his grasp. a distinction specially desirable to one imbued as he Is with an unbounded Masonic enthu. stasm. position highly laudable tn any. one to seek to attain, he was thus pre-. vented from accomplishing this cherished desire of his life.
 Now therefore, in view of all the fact, and circumstances and as 6 just recoR milton and merited reward to our belov, ed companion. recommend most heart