El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-10-29
Nv Go. F. MORGAN.

- ENG asked to contribute al
X article on York Rite Masonr.
- in FL Paso. 'and the vicinity.
has served to call to my attention
the fact that "El Paso." and ''the
vicinity" in so far as concerns Ca
pitular, Cryptic and Templar Masonry
in Texas. are one and the same IL
designation, inasmuch as the nearest
Texas chapter Of Royal Arch Mason=
to Fl Paso is located at Pecos, a dis
lance Of some 200 miles; and the
nearest commandery Of knights
Templar at Big Springs. more than
800 miles distant from Fl PasO. NJ
treatise must therefore be largely
upon the organization and subsequent
record Of the local bodies in FL Paso-
Organized in 1854.
FL Paso Chapter No. 157. Royal
Arch MasOns, was organized In the
year 1854 and worked under a dis
pensarion issued by grand high priest
q. W. Foster, from March 9TH, 1884,
until the meeting Of the grand chap
ter in December, Of the same year,
when IL was regularly chartered by
the grand chapter, with companion
II. L Bingham, high priest; cOmpCn-
ion John Julian. king, and compan-
ion S. letters, scribe.
The chapter began its career with
10 charter members, and during the
period between March 9Th, and De-
cemher 10th 1854, the date OF its
charter, had increased Its member
ship a net total Of 81. Its present
membership is 35z. Locally the chap
ter has endeavor to do its part in
matters Of contribution TO public
needs, as n the case OF the purchase
OF Liberty bonds, contributions to
different war relief movements at
home and abroad, the American Red
Cross fund etc
Home for Aged aasOns.
Through the Grand chapter, the
Royal Arch MasOns OF Texas have
undertaken and are successfully car
ryin- on the commendable enterprise
Of maintaining home for aged MasOns
and their dependent wives and
widows The esra blishmenr and main
Ienance Of this institution IS the eX-
elusive work Of the Royal Arch Masons
Of Texas, and II is a matter
worthy Of note that, thus far, the only
statewide charity established by any
body Of Royal Arch Masons, is that
OF Texas. This home is located near
Arlington. Texas, about halfway be-
Worth, ana can be reached either by
the Texas and Pacific railroad, or By
che Interurban lines running from
Fort Worth 10 Dallas. The property
planted to orchards, vineyards.
gardens. and other products useful
in the maintenance OF the home. so
that the same is made to be largely
Eelf-sustaininE The buildings are
large and coumodious. and are mod
ern and up TO date in all respects:
are IN fact all that the name implies
Home" suited to the needs and
comfort Of our elder brothers and
sisters during the remainder Of their
stay with US. Tt has been the plea
sure Of this writer TO visit our home
at Arlington. and TO have personal
chats with many Of its inmates, and
in each and every instance. there was
nauEht but expressions OF content
meut, good feeling toward the man
a Eement there, and gratitude IN
bounded for the fraternity through
out the state. by whose wisdom and 3
generosity these comforts were made l
possible And in passing I desire TO ,
urge upon each and every member
Of the Masonic fraternity who may
be travelling in that direction, that
they take time 10 make a call at this
home, as well as at the orphans
home located in Fort Worth: and be
assured in advance that by so doing
you viii be adding to the pleasure
and encoura cement OF both the fac
ulty and the inmates Of these institu-
tons and in return viii receive a
degree Of warmth and inspiration