VOLUME I.
OXFORD N. C., WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 1875.
NUMBER 24.
G-K.iix > t Hastier of iv. c.
We are iiere ifl tliB Masonic
j l -ail of Raleigh on Monday ere-
liing', June 7, 1875. There sit
Drs. Watson and Hill, the former
to represent the Grand Chapter
of Mississippi, the latter the
Grand Chapter of South Carolina.
W. R. French, of Wilmington,
Rev. W. G. Jones, of Henderson
ville, Col. T. S. Kenan and G.
W. Blount, of Wilson, Messrs.
Dewey and White, of Charlotte,
Sloan, of Greensboro, Batley, of
Clinton, and many others seem to
feel that it is good to be here.
Full delegations from Wilming
ton and Goldsboro and Kinston
are present, and these are known
to be among our brightest Ma
sons. Alfred Martin is not here,
nor Alonso Jerkins, nor Dr. Pas-
cball. But almost every head is
silvered over with age, and this is
really the Masonic Senate of
North Carolina. The Chapter is
opened in due form and the offi
cers are
H.’ H. Munson, G. H. P.
G. W. Blount, D. G. H. P
D. W. Bain, G. K.
T. S. Kenan, G. S.
C. M. Van Orsdell, G. T.
T M. Gardner, G. Sec.
W. T. Batley, G. C. H.
R. H. Bradley, G. P. S.
E. H. White, G. R. A. 0.
J. B. Neathery, G. M. 3d V.
W. G. Hill, G. M. 2d V.
A, Wronski, G. M. 1st V.
J, H. Separk, G Tber.
The Grand High Priest ap
pointed Companions Neathery,
Sloan and Wronski a committee
on Credentials.
Representatives present:
Concord, No. 1, Wilmington—
C. M. Van Orsdell, S. S. Everett
aild A! Wronski.
Raleigh, No. 10-—J. B. Neath-
er}', A. S. Lee and C. Kluppen-
btirg.
La Fayette, No. 11, Hillsboro
—James Southgate.
Chorazin, No. 13, AVilson—
Geo. AV, Blount and T. S. Kenan.
Cherokto N 14—Edwin Brace.
Salisbury, ho. 20—J. A. He-
ib-i'k.
:'r i' in, No. 28—Jas. E. Boyd.
G Idsboro, No. 29.—T. B. Hy
man, N. Adams and H. C. Prem-
pert.
Lottisburg, No. 26—M. S. Davis.
Clinton, No. 40—AV, S. Batley.
Charlotte, No—.T. W. Dewey
and E, H, AVhite.
Caswell, No. 38—Alex. Nicol.
Newberu, No. 46—Geo. AV.
Nason and ATilL H, Jones. ■
Past Grand officers present—
P. G. E. F. AVatsoti, AV. G. Hill,
E, H. White, J. B. Neathery, T.
J, Sloan and T, AV- Gardner..
Committee cm Xlnfinislml Busi
ness : Companions Kenan, AVhite
and Van Orsdell.
Committee on Charters and Dis
pensations : Companions Hyman,
Hedrick and Nichols.
Committee on Returns and Pro
ceedings : Companions Blount,
Batley and Dewey.
And now the Grand High
Priest very calmly and impress
ively reads the following
ASNUAL ADMTSSS.
Companions of the Grand Chapter
of North Carolina :—How swiftly
time flies. It seems but j'ester-
day since last we met, and behold
a year has passed away, bearing
spoBi ills, bosom, alteunate light
and shade, hope and fear, joy and
sorrow, and sealing with its pas
sage thoughts and purposes, acts
and designs, for good or evil,
which eternity alone Can fully
unveil.
’Tis well if on each successive
convocation we take a retrospect
of the past, and niai'king whatev
er has been in us amiss, endeav
our so to frame onr future as to
avoid former mistakes and errors.
Now on assembling as represent
atives of our several Chapters, to
legislate for wliat We hope will be
tlieir best interests, W0 acknowl
edge, a.s It is our ditty to do, our
thankful dependence on that Al
mighty power, who hath thus far
watched over and brought US to
gether again around this Masonic
Altar, to exchange the heart-felt
salutation, and clasp the warm
fraternal hand.
We meet as Companions, as
friends, as those who often before
have held social and Masonic con
verse together. AVe meet as ma
ny, and yet as one, one in heart,
one in hope, one in purpose. AVe
meet, not in the long familiar
place where Royal Arch JIasonry
in our State first saw the light,
wliere it was cradled in its infan
cy, nourished in its Iielplessness,
and grew to liealtliy manhood,
under the enlivening influences of
men wlio knew no sacrifices too
great when its best interests could
be subserved, Companions, some
of whom yet linger on the very
shore of time, while others have
passed within the veil, and now
we trust, dwell in the city of our
God, and yet we meet in a place
alive w'ith Masonic associations,
sacred to Masonic meinoncs, one
deep!}' inbued with a Masonic
spirit, and surrounded with the
features of tliose embodied, and
disembodied ones, wliose voices
in times past, made these old
walls ring with grand and noble
thoughts, springing from hearts
every pulsation of wliich denoted
a deep and enduring love of Ala-
sonry. Alay the mantle of those
wise and reverend heads, who in
times past filled the places we
now occup3', fall oil us, so that
our deliberations may be charac
terized by that moderation, that
zeal, that prudence, and that
charity which worketh no ill.
Companions, in order that the
grow'th of our Chapters might be
stimulated, and their prosperitv’
thereby increased, the Grand
Chapter at its last session thought
it wise and proper to remove from
tiie location where its delibera
tions Lad so long been held, to a
wider and more general field of
labor. We have, therefore, taken
a new departure, started out up
on an untried path, and I am free
to saj-, in mj' opinion a success
ful one. Nothing, it seems to me,
could better be done to awaken a
deeper interest in Capitular Ma
sonry, than to bring it immedi
ately home to the hearts and
minds of its votarie.s. By tlie
migratory sj^stem (sought to be
established) w'e roach those who
need only the awakening influ
ence of a Grand Chapter convo
cation, to arouse their sluggish
zeal, and give direction and ener
gy to their nndiminished hopes
and desires.
In 186.8 tills Grand Chapter
ailbptedl a system of work,, whieli
probably tlirougli the tion-ap=
poiiitment of Lecturers (none dur
ing tefm of office having ap
plied) has not been fulH' dissemi-
tlilted tlll'oiiglioiit this jiirisdietion.
It is desirable, nay important, that
some means be adopted by this
Grand Body, to place before the
subordinates this important part
of Royal Arch Masomy, and I
hope v-oiir combined wisdom will
suggest some practical method
whereby tliat mueli needed result
will be attained. I had the hon
or at our hist annual convocation
of calling your attention to the
subject of Bliia Lodge non-affilia
tion as affecting Capitular Mason
ry.- The committee to whom the
matter was by r'esolutloh referred,
reported, “That no consideration :
be had on the subject until after
the determination of the pending
question on that subject bj' the
Grand Lodge of N. C.” That bodj'
lias met and decided the “pending
question,” and j-et I fail to see
how in the liglit of its action \’ou
are able to legislate more advis.^
edly than before. This is a mat
ter of such vast importance to the
weal or Woe of our constituency,
that I again appeal to you to de
cide the question, viz: Does non-
affiliatioii in the Blue Lodge work
a coiTesponding non-affiliation in
the Chapter ?
I acknowledge the receipt of a
circular from Companion G. C.
Fox, General Grand Secretary of
General Grand Chapter, giving
notice of the convocation of that
body in Nashville, Tenn., Nov.
24th, 1874. It is a matter of re
gret that our finances are in so
deplorable a condition as to thus
far preclude a representation of
this Grand Jurisdiction at these
convocations. This being a law
making powei', bj’ the which w-e
are to some extent governed, and
through us the subordinate Chap
ters, it seems eminently proper
and desirable that otir voice
should be hesrd in their delibera
tions, and I trust by the time the
next convocation is held, this
Grand Chapter will see to it that
we are no longer sell-ignored.
I take pleasure in again calling
3’our attention to the healthful
growth of our Orphan, Asjduii,
and bespeak for it j'oiir continued
efforts, prajmrs and offerings.
During the past year it has ex
tended its labors, and now boasts
of an outgrowth, located in the
AA^estern part of our State.
Through the industry and perse
verance of its capable and ener
getic Superintendent, its influence
for good is gradiiallj', but surely
widening, and its permanency is
no longer a matter of doubt. Al
though }'et in its infancj^, it is en
twining itself around the sj^mpa-
thetic chords of onr natures, in a
manner which evidences no fall
ing off of that material aid so ne
cessary for the full accomplish
ment of its purposes and designs.
Let our efforts not relax. Let
onr offerings be increased. Let
our praj'ers and alms go up to
gether, and He “who doth not
slumber oi' sleep,” will, in His
own good time, grant the fruition'
of our fondest hopes.
The amendment to Art, 14 of
our Constitution, relating to an
nual dues, will come up for j'our
action, at this, convoeatioii.. This
is a very important iiiatti'i- for
your consideration, fiff however
strong may be our desires fdr the
extension of Capitular Masoniy,
liowever great inaj' bo our sjm:-
pathies and efforts, without mon
oid but little wdll tliej' avail.
Aloiiej' is the ground work and
basis of mercantile, mechanical,
agricultural, and I had almost
said religions siicCeSS, and hoiv
can it be eJipected that Masonic
interests will thrive without a suf
ficiency of its lubricating influ
ence. In this connection allow
me to call jmur attention to tlie
necessity for a large!’ distribution
of our pr'oceedings, especially
among the subordinate Chapters.
As at present regulated, thred'
copies only is allowed to each,
the result being, the Companions
know by hearsay (if indeed at all;
of matters in the which they are
specially interested. I would
suggests a far more liberal sup-
pi of this vehicle of valuable in
formation, jiroviding the way and
means for a financial increase is
established, As there seems to
be in the minds of manj’ an hon
est difference of opinon regarding
the fullness of power to be exer
cised by Ciiajiters Under Disjien-
sation, and as heretofore it has
been pretty genorall)^ lield, that
tlieir duties ended with the con
ferring of the degrees, I would
suggest that some specific regula
tion be adopted by this Grand
Chapter, looking towards an en
largement of these powers, per
mitting them to affiliate members,
exercise discipline, &c.
Tlie following question alone,
undecided in tlie past, has been
submitted for my decission: “Is
it necessarj’ to give reasons when
appljung for a certificate of de-
mission I answer, none what
ever. Masonrj' is a voluntary
organization. She admits none
knowinglj^ within lier folds but
such a.s come of their own un
biased free will and accord. She
throws around them the kindly
am of her loving protection, she
watches over tlieir interests, aids
their distresses and sympathises
in their sorrows, but when her
votaries desire a release, she opens
her arms and bids them go in
peace. So mote it bo.
The labors developing upon
the Grand High Priest in this ju
risdiction are but small. The
Chapters being few in number,
are situated so far apart, that a
Grand visitation seems almost im
possible, and jret I could wish
such a system might be inaugu
rated, in wliicli event the ivants
of each would be more fully
known, a greater degree of inter
est manifested, and thereby^ a
larger amount of good accom
plished.
During the past year I liaveiiS*
sued the following Dispensations:
Dec. 1st, 1874, for formation of
Newborn Chapter, No. , a])-
pointiiig Companions Geo. AY.
Nason, Jr., Sigh Priest, Jiio, V.
Jordan, King, and David E, Ev-
eritt, Sci’ibe.
Dec. 14th, 1874, Mofgafttoft
Ghapfef, No. 45, to elect officers.
Jan. 25, 1875, AshetuTle Chap
ter', No.. 25, to elect officers.
Feb. 22, 1875, Caswell Cliap^
ter, No. 38, to reorganize,, elesl,
install officers, &o.
Iff concluding ni)’’ brief and
last address as your presiding of
ficer, I niiist Congratulate you iir-
011 tliC prosjJscis for the fotiire
'trowth and prosperity of CapitU-
kr Alaso'ri!'}’ tlifOitgbo'iit tlie State,
i'lie past year haC, In U measure,
been a pro.spofoiis one, ti e liar-
moiy, of our Chapters has been
undisturbed, the Opening Up of
one new, the reviving^ of tliree
decaying ones, and thd iflcfeased
interest manifested in fill,- eitcoilr-
ages iis to look for'Wttfd to still
greater results in the flitiir'e.- The
paralyzed coliditiOU of onr Coiiri-
try worked a corresponding par-
aly-zatioil in Royal Afcb MitSOiiryq
but froiH^ put the gloom of tlie
past the light of the future brea.ks
—pfestlgltlg greater zeal, ’(vith
more eoifimendahle efficiency and
happier results in tiie advance
ment of the Roval Art ’V,'.]:
wise legislation and .. '.ji.iiy
carrj’ing out of the priffcl; ’es
which should govern the conduct
of every Royal Arch Mason,
North Carolina Ciipitiila! Mason
ry Will j’ot gain and mantain a
proud position amofJg lier sisters
Itl retiring from tlie honora
ble office to which yotir partiality
elected me, I dosife to' fettirit
thanks for the many favofs and-
kindnessos shown, and to tvisli fo!
each and all of ymu that futurity
of happiness and prosperity^ com
mensurate with K!i lionesf effort
to discharge faitlifiilly the duties
and obligations God shd niaii has
placed upon you.
Horace II MnSsttx,
Grand lligh Priesi
Companions Kenan, Hill and
AVatsoh Were appointed fct report'
on the address of the G. S. P.
Companion Baift 'vvelc'o’rffed tliO
Grand Chapter' to the bosiiitality
of the Cityy and annonnCed that
the committee was ready (O' wait
on any who had not b'eeti' provid
ed with homes.
The Grand Chapter Was (hefl
called from labor to refreshments
till 10' a. 111. oil Tuesday'.-
Tuesday, June Stk.
MOHNfNG- SESSiOX,
Tile Committee on the Grand
High Priest’s Address reported,
1st. As to “woi’k,” recommend
ing that the subject be referred ttf
a special committee of three to
consider the propriety of the ap
pointment of Lecturers.- (This
committee made no'report.)
2d. As to “non-affiliafiOH”-^re-'
commending the adoption of tho
folloiv'ing resolution
Piesolved, Tliat the standing of
a Royal Arch Masoit iii a Royual
Arch Chapter is- not affected by'
any action of' a Blue Lodge ex
cept in ease of expulsion or siis-
petisioB, Adopted.
The committee cttpressed d
hearty concurretiCe lit the senti
ments uttered trf the M. E. G. IT.
P. in regard to the' Orphan ' -
lum aii4 urge upon the suDu
nate' Ohtqitefs the importance ot a
Biore aetive cooperfeoW in tlii.s'
charitable -Work..
Tlie cowmiitteB concurred witlt
Ibe Grand High Hflest in the
opinion that lio' reasons' sbottld be
required of si member of a Chap
ter asking a demit.-
A ch.affSer granted' to New-
ber* Chapfe#' U. 1).
The eliarfer of Cherokee Chap"
tef. No. 14, located at Il-ertforr!..
Perquimans Comity, was restored
( Ceinfiiiued on Uccoud Piige.)