The weekly herald. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 1906-19??, 1908-12-03
mLUsFRIOUs GRAND MASTER
TERRELL IN WACO ADDRESS
Lofty Words Are Used m Speech TO
Assembled MasOns.


and Select Masters OF Texas Com
panons-lt gives me great pleasure
10 meet and welcome you TO this
grand council assembled ia the lil-
ty-thlrd year Of It's existence, II
seems but a short time since We met
In this hall 10 give new life and
quicken the sleeping dccadenCc OF a
once magnificent and splendid grand
body, composed as II was Of some Of
the greatest and noblest characters
that ever aided in building and mold
ing civilizations and whose names
add lustcr and rcnown to every page
of the history OF our glorious state
and the Wondrous story Of her ind$
pendencc,
IL gives ME yet greater pleasure
to announce to YOU that our work of
year ago has proved 20 be not only
wise, but successful beyond our most
sanguinc expectations. We stand to-
day the peer OF any grand council in
/ the land.and enjoy the proud distinc-
1 ton of exceeding in membership any
other grand body OF tho Cryptic rite,
and IN counting OF oui members
! larger percentage Of Royal Arch
Masons than any other jurisdiction
II am pleased to note among those
assembled with us today some who
have for 80 many years In the past
labored patiently and zealously for
the Advancement and upbuilding OF
both Capitular and Cryptic Masonry
and who materially aided Us in again
entering the secret vault and passing
through It's last archway, within the
body and inner house OF our own
sovereign and re-established grand
council TO them | extend a most
cordial welcome and assure them Of
an efrection which has strengt hened
and deepened by personal contact in
our mutual labors in years that are
gone
Doubtless some are hero who
have for the first time entered tho
portals Of grand council of this
beautiful rite, the origin Of which Is
beyond the memory Of man. To
them we extend a welcome, born OF
hope and encouragement, and would
remind them that the future of our
institution depends largely upen
their zeal and attachment to the
principles lnculcated in the sublime
and beautiful lessons taught in the
sanctuary OF our councils.
THE work you have undertaken
by the re-ostablishment OF this grand
council is proof of your zeal and ear
nestness, as we'll as your interest in
the beautiful council degrees TO
which is attached the superexcellent
master, of which most Of you know
but little For your information |
quote the following from A History
of Cryptic Masonry by Companion
W. L. Cleveland past .rand master
OF Iowa
The degrees of royal and select
master, known as the Cryptic rita
and SO called because they pertain
TO the crypt, or secret vault, are
known and designated as the eighth
and ninth degrees of the American
system, from their Intimate connec-
ton with the ancient craft legend
are conferred after the degrees Of
the Royal Arch chapters even when
they are conferred by the chapters.
1.-THE superexcellent master is a
degree which was originally an hon
orary or side degree conferred by the
inspector general of the Ancient and
Accepted Scottish Rite at Charles
ton It's origin is unknown, It's
percentage Is uncertain, It has been
a homeless wair, sometimes confer
red before the royal and select mast
ers and at times between these two
degrees. It. is generally recognized
today as one OF the degrees Of the
council and Is now usually conferred
after the royal and select master as
an honorary degree. II has not con-
neetion with the degrees of the crypt,
but Is founded upon the destruction
OF the temple; 1t seeks to inculcate
integrity OF purpose and fidelity to
vows. The treachery of Zedekah is
illustrated as a lesson to remain
faithful to our engagements.
u am pleased to announce that We
are at peace with all the world. and
that a Number of grand councils
have extended the glad hand OF well
come aud requested an exchange of
representatives while many others
have congratulated us on the rehabil-
itation OF our grand council, ! am
especially pleased In the course pur-