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ABllUAI., HISTOHICAL 
 pna MISC12LLAHB0US 
 
 A D D K B 3 S E 3 
 Of 
 
 jj, s, Chsrlea Dsns Bnrrsge. 
 
 Grsna High priest of the 
 Grand Boyel Arch Chapter of 
 Msssachusetts 
 
 daring the years 
 1910 - 1911 - 19 IE 
 
f^^ 
 
 io 
 
I II D S X 
 
 nnuel lUdress, 1910 Psges 1 to 47 
 
 Including 
 Remerka before Mt, Lebsnon 
 R. 1. Chspter, Mllford Pege 33 
 
 Before Massechusetts Convention 
 
 of High Priests Psge 35 
 
 Reply to Toast "Toleration'^ 
 before Aurora Grste Chepter 
 of Rose Croix, Brooklyn, 11. Y 
 
 Page 38 
 
 Before St. Paul's R. A. 
 
 Chapter, Boston Page 41 
 
 Before Keystone R« A. Chapter 
 Poxhorough Page 45 
 
 Annual Address, 1911 Pages 1 to 36 
 
 Including 
 Remarks at One hundredth 
 Anniversary of '78shlngton 
 R* A« Chapter, Salem Page 25 
 
 At 25th Anniversary of 
 Royal Arch Chapter of the 
 Tabernacle, Maiden Page 29 
 
 At Constitution of Cambridge 
 Council Page 33 
 
 KAnnual Address, 1912 Pages 1 to 55 
 
 r Including 
 
 ■| Remarks on receiving flag 
 
 H|i presented to St* John^s R. A* 
 
 ^m Chapter, East Boston Page 26 
 
 ^K On meaning and Symbolism 
 
 of Capitular Masonry Page 30 
 
 Before Grand Holy d» A. 
 
 Chapter of Pennsylvania Page 51 
 
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 Grand High Priest's Address 
 
 Boston, December 13, 1910. 
 To the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Massachusetts : 
 
 From lofty Greylock to the sand dunes of Nantucket; from 
 the hills that face Monadnock to the waves that gently lap the 
 shore at Swansea ; from the wooded sources of the Deerfield, high 
 on Hoosac Mountain, to the bluff at Winthrop, overlooking Bos- 
 ton's island-studded harbor, the last days of the year find the con- 
 stituent Chapters of our beloved Grand Royal Arch Chapter of 
 Massachusetts generally thriving, prosperous, larger in numbers, 
 stronger in zeal and purpose, with increased wealth and, above all, 
 with heightened enthusiasm. From every viewpoint the year that 
 closes to-night has been most prosperous, and we may well con- 
 gratulate those who have labored so well in the past upon the 
 fact that the harvest of to-day fully justifies and rewards their 
 careful planting and attendant care. For not to me is the credit 
 for the results obtained, even as I should not have deserved the 
 blame, if, with equal labor on my part, the tides of general busi- 
 ness had ebbed to disaster. The total membership of the subordi- 
 nate Chapters on August 31, 1910 was 22,053, a net gain of 596 
 for the year. 
 
 We have a right to be proud that harmony prevails in our Coun- 
 cils, that men of such high character and standing in the com- 
 munity head the various Chapters, and that officers and members 
 are universally animated by an enduring devotion for our beauti- 
 ful Rite. 
 
 But in our rejoicing we cannot but remember that there are 
 many vacant places in our membership ; that during the year we 
 have seen many a loved Companion pass under the Royal Arch of 
 Silence into the Life Eternal. 
 
In that high courage inspired by the sublime truths of Gorl 
 taught before our altars, and exemplified in the daily lives of our 
 members they have bravely fought the last great battle of life and 
 now lie at rest. As we meet here to-day, let us recall their vir- 
 tues, their merits, their high resolves, their achievements; and, 
 with Sorrow's biting grief, etch upon the tablets of memory our 
 tribute to their worth, the record of our affection, of that true 
 fraternity we attain within the Chapter's guarded gates. They 
 have, indeed, joined the 
 
 *■' immortal dead who live again 
 In minds made better by their presence ; live 
 In pulses stirred to generosity, 
 In <lefds of daring rectitude, in scorn 
 Of miserable aims that end with self. 
 In thoughts sublime that pierce the night like stars, 
 And with their mild persistence urge man's search 
 To vaster issues." 
 
 Two of the permanent members of this Grand Chapter during 
 the year have passed beyond the lasjt veil of life. Right Excellent 
 Companion George W. Storer, of Arlington, and Right Excellent 
 Companion Lucius Field, of Clinton, both Past Grand Kings. 
 Right Excellent Companion Storer was strong and decided by 
 nature, of large ability, and a devoted student of Masonry. 
 
 As one who loved him wrote : 
 
 " In his death the Masonic Institution lost an indefatigable 
 worker of marked executive ability, and the Fraternity a loyal 
 and dearly beloved Brother." 
 
 Right Excellent Companion Field lived an active life, filled 
 with duties in many directions, and was one of Clinton's most 
 prominent men. Tall, of commanding presence, gracious in man- 
 ner, a man of gentle spirit, well may his lifelong friend. Right 
 Excellent Jonathan Smith, say of him : 
 
 " His whole life exemplified the highest teachings of Masonry, 
 the virtues of the good man, the just and upright citizen and the 
 affectionate and loyal friend." 
 
 DKCISIONS 
 
 Reference to the Constitution and General Regulations has 
 sufficed to answer most of the questions propounded during the 
 year by the officers of the Chapters. 
 
To E.-. Lf^onard W. Ross, High Priest of St. Andrew's Royal 
 Arch Chapter, asking whether a Companion should be admitted 
 U) Chapter meetings, he being a member who had been declared 
 hv the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts to have been irregularly 
 made a Mason, because of false answers in his application to the 
 Lodge (he having stated that he had never before applied and 
 never been rejected^ : 
 
 Ruled: That as the action of the Grand Lodge took away his 
 rights as a Mason, that he could not attend Chapter meetings 
 until healed. 
 
 To E.-. William H. Wilder, High Priest of new Chapter at 
 Gardner, on formation of Chapter : 
 
 Ruled: That the policy of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of 
 Massachusetts unquestionably disapproved of naming new Chap- 
 ters for living men. 
 
 DISPENSATIONS 
 
 The first dispensation granted by me was on Dec. 9, 1909, to 
 organize a new Chapter at Gardner. I took great pleasure in 
 granting this, for I went to Gardner as a young man fresh from 
 college, there studied and began the practice of law, married and 
 settled, and there all my children were born. 
 
 The remembrance of the beauties of her woods and hills is still 
 fresh and clear, and the winds that fan her brow carry their fra- 
 grance across the State to me, ever renewing the longing of the 
 years. 
 
 On Nov. 30, 1910, 1 constituted Gardner Royal Arch Chapter, 
 and with the generous assistance of R.*. E.*. Warren P. Dudley, 
 Deputy Grand High Priest, R.'. E.*. George O. Sheldon, Grand 
 King, R.'. E.-. Fred H. Scott, Grand Scribe, and E.*. Lorenzo L. 
 Green, Grand Lecturer, installed its officers. 
 
 The Chapter begins life with one hundred and twenty-five 
 members, and, knowing the people of that town and section as I 
 do, I confidently believe that it has a large promise for the future, 
 and that it will be a credit to this Grand Chapter and an honor to 
 the Capitular Rite. 
 
 Under the authority of the Grand Chapter given at the Quar- 
 terly June Convocation, on September 13, a dispensation was 
 granted to form a new Chapter at Ipswich. This was approved 
 
by Amity Royal Arch Chapter, of Beverly, and by R.*. E.'. 
 Charles H. Preston, District Deputy Grand High Priest for the 
 Second District. Before its issue a special report was made to 
 me by K.\ Lorenzo L. Green, Grand Lecturer, who visited the 
 town for the purpose. This report is as follows : — 
 
 Medford, Mass., Sept. 10, 1910. 
 
 Most Excellent Charles Dana Burrage, Grand High 
 Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Massa- 
 chusetts, Boston, Mass. : — 
 
 Dear Sir and Most Excellent Companion, — Agreeably to your 
 desire that I investigate conditions at Ipswich relative to starting 
 the proposed Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in that town, I beg 
 leave to report : 
 
 That on September 9 I went to Ipswich and met by appoint- 
 ment Excellent Companion Tozer and several of the petitioners 
 for the dispensation, and in their company inspected the Masonic 
 apartments. These apartments occupy the entire top story of a 
 recently erected business block, are of fair size, good proportions 
 and convenient arrangement, and, in addition to the Lodge, 
 preparation and Tyler's rooms, include a kitchen, supper room 
 and club room, or anteroom, for members. These quarters are at 
 present occupied by John T. Heard Lodge of Masons. My inspec- 
 tion naturally had special reference as to their adaptability to 
 Chapter purposes. I found that due provision had been made for 
 the . . . and all arrangements pertaining to the apartments 
 seemed to me to be adequate for a proper presentation of the 
 degrees. 
 
 I found that nothing in the way of regalia, paraphernalia or 
 property had as yet been provided, the petitioners naturally not 
 desiring to obligate themselves to take and pay for the same until 
 they received assurance that their petition would be granted. I 
 was shown, however, a list of what they proposed to order, which 
 seemed to me comprehensive and to include everything necessary. 
 The ... 
 
 Furthermore, I was assured by Excellent Companion Tozer 
 that sufficient sums had been subscribed to enable the petitioners 
 
to pay cash for everything needed in the way of regalia, parapher- 
 nalia and property, and that when the first meeting is held, in 
 October, for purposes of work and the conferring of degrees, the 
 petitioners will be in a position to start the Chapter absolutely 
 free from debt. 
 
 I trust that this report will be found adequate to satisfy the 
 object of my investigation and to cover the points concerning 
 which you especially wish to be informed, but if further informa- 
 tion is desired by you I shall be most happy to continue my in- 
 quiries, and shall be entirely at your service. 
 
 Very truly and fraternally yours, 
 
 Lorenzo L. Green, 
 
 Grand Lecturer. 
 
 Dispensations have been granted to hold District Grand Chap- 
 ters of Instruction as follows : — 
 
 1st District R.-. E.-. Frank F. Cook, District Deputy Grand 
 Priest, at East Boston, February 22. 
 
 9ih District R.-. E.-. Albert H. Martin, District Deputy Grand 
 High Priest, at Natick, February 22. 
 
 10th District R.*. E.-. John A. DeCamp, District Deputy Grand 
 High Priest, at North Adams, February 25. 
 
 •Sth District R.*. E.'. David T. Montague, District Deputy 
 Grand High Priest, at Somerville, March 19. 
 
 tJtli District .R.'. E.-. Edward J. Reece, District Deputy Grand 
 High Priest, at Springfield, April 15. 
 
 2d District R.*. E.*. Charles H. Preston, District Deputy 
 Grand High Priest, at Beverly, April 19. 
 
 11th District R.-. E.'. Charles W. Godfrey, District Deputy 
 Grand High Priest, at Fitchburg, April 19. 
 
 (I personally attended all of the above except the last, at Fitch- 
 l>urg, having a Patriot's Day engagement at St. Paul's Chapter, 
 Boston, in the evening.) 
 
 Dispensations granted to hold elections of officers to fill va- 
 cancies : 
 
 Feb. 9, 1910 To Bancroft Royal Arch Chapter, of Ayer, to 
 elect Treasurer. 
 
 May 7, 1910 To Union Royal Arch Chapter, of Athol, to 
 elect Principal Sojourner. 
 
MISCELLANEOUS DISPENSATIONS GRANTED 
 
 Dec. 10, 1909 To Sylvester Baxter Royal Arch Chapter, of 
 West Harwich, to hold its regular annual meet- 
 ing on Saturday, December 18, instead of on 
 Saturday, Decemljer 25, a holiday. 
 
 June 23, 1910 To Wareham Royal Arch Chapter, U.-. D.'., of 
 Wareham, to hold regular convocation, falling 
 on July 4, a holiday, on Tuesday, July 5. 
 
 June 23, 1910 To Cambridge Royal Arch Chapter, of Cam- 
 bridge, to appear in public in regalia, but wear- 
 ing only collars and aprons, for the purpose of 
 participating in the laying of the corner-stone 
 of the new Masonic Temple, in Cambridge, on 
 June 30. 
 
 Aug. 22, 1910 To Sutton Royal Arch Chapter, of Lynn, to 
 hold regular meeting on September 8, at East 
 Saugus, their hall being under repair. 
 
 Nov. 16, 1910 To Dorchester Royal Arch Chapter, of Dorches- 
 ter, to attend divine worship at St. John's Uni- 
 versalist Church, Virginia Street, Upham's Corner, 
 Dorchester, on the morning of Sunday, Dec. 4, 
 1910, the occasion being that of the fifteenth anni- 
 versary of the laying of the corner-stone of said 
 church by the Grand Lodge of Masons of Massa- 
 chusetts. 
 
 Nov. 26, 1910 To St. Stephen's Royal Arch Chapter, Quincy, 
 to attend divine service at Wollaston, Sunday, 
 December 11, with regalia. 
 
 With one exception (which I have since learned was unneces- 
 sary), 1 have declined to grant any dispensations to Chapters to 
 shorten the constitutional time between reception of application 
 and ballotting, or to work the Past, Most Excellent and Royal 
 Arch Degrees the same evening, when requested, for the purpose 
 of enabling the candidate to obtain his Commandery Degrees at 
 an earlier date, or for similar reasons. 
 
 • I consider that the authority placed in the hands of the Grand 
 High Priest to grant such dispensations should be reserved for 
 emergencies. 
 
 In this connection I would call attention to an increasing practice, 
 particularly in and near Boston, for Chapters to work each other's 
 candidates on different degrees so as to shorten the time between 
 ballot and exaltation. 
 
I would make no recommendation, at this time, for legislation, 
 but would caution all Chapters that such practices are an abuse of 
 their privileges. 
 
 The fundamental requirements should never be varied, that 
 demand that the several degrees should always be worked with 
 dignity, in full, with sufficient intervals of time between the degrees 
 to permit the candidates to properly receive and digest their beauti- 
 ful and impressive lessons. To rush the neophyte through all the 
 degrees within a few days is not only to deprive him of a proper 
 enjoyment and understanding of them, but, in many cases, results 
 in wearied indifference on his part through the years that follow. 
 The Grand Chapter may well take cognizance of the fact that the 
 Scottish Rite in Massachusetts no longer confers the final Con- 
 sistory, or 32d Degree, except after a considerable interval, thus 
 appreciably increasing its dignity and importance. 
 
 I would not be understood as criticizing the ordinary courtesies 
 between Chapters, but only such practices as amount to a virtual 
 violation of the Regulations in spirit, if not in letter. 
 
 CONSTITUTION OF NEW CHAPTERS 
 
 In addition to the Constitution of Gardner Royal Arch Chapter, 
 already referred to, I constituted Wareham Royal Arch Chapter, 
 of Wareham, on Monday, October 24, at a special convocation of 
 this Grand Chapter, and with the courteous assistance of R.\ E.*. 
 Warren P. Dudley, Deputy Grand High Priest, R.-. E.-. Edwin 
 S. Crandon, Past Deputy Grand High Priest, W. H. H. Soule, 
 Past Grand Scribe, and E.'. Lorenzo L. Green, Grand Lecturer, 
 installed its officers. 
 
 Forty-six names were upon the Charter roll. The spirit of 
 love for Capitular Masonry shown by these Companions and the 
 highly honorable record of the ancient lodges to which they be- 
 long give every augury of a long and prosperous life for the new 
 Chapter. 
 
 The following letter speaks for itself : 
 
 Wareham Royal Arch Chapter, 
 
 Wareham, Mass., November 8, 1910. 
 Mr. Charles Dana Burrage, Grand High Priest : — 
 
 Most Excellent Companion, — At the regular convocation 
 Nov. 7, 1910, by vote of Wareham Royal Arch Chapter the 
 
Secretary was instructed to convey to the Grand High Priest the 
 thanks and appreciation of the Chapter for the beautiful and im- 
 pressive service rendered at the constitution of Wareham Royal 
 Arch Chapter and the installation of its officers, on the evening of 
 Oct. 24, 1910. 
 
 We were much pleased at that time to receive the Grand High 
 Priest and so many of the Grand officers. The occasion and 
 what it means will long be remembered by this Chapter. 
 Fraternally and sincerely, 
 
 Isaac N. Marshall, 
 
 Secretary pro tern. 
 
 NEW CHAPTERS 
 
 It Has been the policy of this Grand Chapter to use extreme 
 conservatism in forming new Chapters, and not to approve such 
 action except in a community that unmistakably evidenced its 
 claims for consideration. But Massachusetts is prosperous, and 
 increasing in population, and, with nearly 60,000 Blue Lodge 
 Masons within her borders, there is increasing demand for ad- 
 ditional Chapters. 
 
 During the year a dispensation has been granted for a new 
 Chapter at Ipswich. 
 
 VISITATIONS 
 
 Receiving many invitations to visit Chapters from all parts of 
 the State, I have accepted all (with two exceptions, where I had 
 previously accepted other engagements, and one to attend with 
 Deputy.) As Grand High Priest I have made thirty-eight visits 
 to Chapters and at exemplifications, attended six Grand Chaptei- 
 (Convocations (including this annual and the constitution of two 
 new Chapters) , and also attended on fourteen other occasions, in 
 all fifty-eight, upon all of which (except seven only) formal ad- 
 dresses were made, and, incidentally, thirty-three different Chap- 
 ters out of the seventy-nine in Massachusetts were visited in ses- 
 sion in their Chapter Halls. I have endeavored to have as large 
 a suite as possible of Grand officers. Past High Priests and Coun- 
 cils accompany me on visits to Chapters, and the cordial response 
 of these Companions to my requests has doubled the value and 
 the enjoyment of these occasions. I desire to express my 
 
gratitude in the warmest terms to all those who have shared these 
 pleasures with me. To Excellent Wilfred D. Smith, of Waltham, 
 Excellent Horace A. Carter, of Newton, Excellent Frank P. 
 Rhoades, of Cambridge, Excellent E. O. Burton, of Clinton and 
 Excellent Charles E. Moss, of South Boston, who have on various 
 visitations acted as Grand Captain of the Host, I am especially 
 grateful, as well as to R.-. E.-. Robert W. Browning, District 
 Deputy Grand High Priest of the Sixth District, who joined me 
 on every visit to Chapters except three. 
 
 The list of visitations, including, also, most of the occasions 
 where I have attended officially as Grand High Priest, is as fol- 
 lows : — 
 
 LIST OF VISITATIONS 
 
 Dec. 21, 1909. Reception by home Chapter, Newton Royal Arch 
 Chapter, Newtonville. 
 
 Horace A. Carter, High Priest. 
 Dec. 25, 1909. Christmas celebration by Chapter of the Sheki- 
 nah, Chelsea. 
 
 Alfred Anderson, High Priest. 
 Dec. 28, 1909. Grand Lodge of Masons of Massachusetts, Feast 
 of St. John. 
 
 M.-. W.-. Dana J. Flanders, Grand Master. 
 Jan. 20, 1910. Waltham Royal Arch Chapter. Installed officers, 
 with assistance of M.'. E.-. Harry Hunt, Past 
 Grand High Priest. 
 
 Wilfred D. Smith, High Priest. 
 Jan. 26, 1910. Past High Priest's Association of First Capitular 
 District. Annual Banquet, 
 Jos. T. Paul, President. 
 Jan. 28, 1910. Boston Commandery K. T. Ladies' Night. 
 
 James S. Blake, Eminent Commander. 
 Feb. 17, 1910. Somerville Royal Arch Chapter. In special 
 honor to R.-. E.-. David T. Montague, District 
 Deputy Grand High Priest for 8th District. 
 R. Stanley Smith, High Priest. 
 The sudden death, in the anteroom, of Arthur 
 B. Cunningham, a member, caused the abandon- 
 ment of the program and banquet, and turned the 
 meeting into a Chapter of sorrow. The Recep- 
 tion Committee of Past High Priests accompanied 
 the body home, and the flowers intended for the 
 Grand officers were laid upon the casket of the 
 dead. 
 
 d 
 
Feb. 22, 1910 Exemplification of 1st District at East Boston 
 with St. John's Royal Arch Chapter. 
 
 R.*. E.-. Frank F. Cook, District Deputy 
 Grand High Priest. 
 
 Feb. 22. 1910 Exemplification of 9th District at Natick with 
 Parker Royal Arch Chapter. 
 
 R.-. E.-. Albert H. Martin, District Deputy 
 Grand High Priest. 
 
 Feb. 24, 1910 Mt. Lebanon Royal Arch Chapter, Milford. 
 Clarence A. Lilley, High Priest. 
 
 Feb. 25, 1910 Exemplification of 10th District at North Adams, 
 with Composite Royal Arch Chapter. 
 
 R.-. E.*. John A. DeCarap. District Deputy 
 Grand High Priest. 
 
 Mar. 8, 1910 Order of High Priesthood. 
 
 M.*. E.-. Warren B. Ellis, President. Address 
 on '' Masonic Memories." 
 
 Mar. 10,1910 Norfolk Royal Arch Chapter, Hyde Park. 
 Home Chapter of E.*. E. J. Ellis, Grand Master 
 Third Veil. 
 
 Frederick C. Cobb. High Priest. 
 
 Mar. 15. 1910 Newton Royal Arch Chapter, Newton ville. Past 
 High Priests' Night. 
 
 Horace A. Carter, High Priest. 
 
 Mar. 19, 1910 Exemplification of 8th District at Somerville with 
 Somerville Royal Arch Chapter. 
 
 R.-. E.*. David T. Montague, District Deputy 
 Grand High Priest. 
 
 Mar. 24, 1910 Aurora Grata Chapter Rose Croix, Ancient and 
 Accepted Scottish Rite, Brooklyn, N. Y. Feast 
 of Paschal Lamb. 
 
 Response to toast " Toleration." 
 
 Apr. 6, 1910 Royal Arch Chapter of the Shekinah, Chelsea. 
 Past High Priests' Night. Acceptance of elec- 
 tion to Honorary Membership Home Chapter of 
 Rev. and E.*. R. Perry Bush, Grand Chaplain. 
 Alfred Anderson, High Priest. 
 
 Apr. 8, 1910 Franklin Royal Arch Chapter, Greenfield. In 
 especial honor to R.-. E.'. Edward J. Reece, Dis- 
 trict Deputy Grand High Priest for 5th District. 
 John B. Clark, High Priest. 
 
 10 
 
Apr. 15-, 1910 Exemplification of 5th District at Springfield, with 
 Morning Star Royal Arch Chapter.. 
 
 R.-. E.'. E. J. Reece, District Deputy Grand 
 
 High Priest. 
 
 Apr. 19, 1910 Exemplification of 2d District at Beverly, with 
 Amity Royal Arch Chapter. 
 
 R.-. E.*. Charles H. Preston, District Deputy 
 Grand High Priest (afternoon). 
 
 Apr. 19,1910 St. Paul's Royal Arch Chapter, Boston (evening), 
 Patriot's Day. 
 
 W. M. Farringtou, High Priest. 
 
 Apr. 25, 1910 Dorchester Royal Arch Chapter, Dorchester. 
 Dedication of flag. 
 
 Harry J. Baker, High Priest. 
 
 Apr. 29, 1910 Houghton Royal Arch Chapter, Marlborough. 
 Charles S. Thomson, High Priest. 
 
 May 9, 1910 St. Mark's Royal Arch Chapter, Taunton. In 
 especial honor to R.'. E.'. Lewis M. Witherell, 
 District Deputy Grand High Priest for 3d District. 
 Enos D. Williams, High Priest. 
 
 May 11, 1910 Holten Royal Arch Chapter, Dan vers. In espe- 
 cial honor to R.-. E.-. Charles H. Preston, District 
 Deputy Grand High Priest for 2d District. 
 Arthur E. Perkins, High Priest. 
 
 May 17, 1910 Eureka Royal Arch Chapter, Worcester. 
 Arthur H. Parker, High Priest. 
 (Unable to accept invitation from Menotomy 
 Royal Arch Chapter, of Arlington, for same even- 
 ing, on occasion of visit of Past High Priests' 
 Association of 8th District, and election to honor- 
 ary membership. R.*. E.*. Warren P. Dudley, 
 Deputy Grand High Priest, went in my stead.) 
 
 May 18, 1910 Thomas Royal Arch Chapter. Fitchburg. In 
 especial honor to R.*. E.*. Charles W. Godfrey, 
 District Deputy Grand High Priest for 11th 
 District. 
 
 Clarence L. Trowbridge, High Priest. 
 
 May 23, 1910 Walden Royal Arch Chapter, Concord. In espe- 
 cial honor to R.*. E.*. Robert W. Browning, Dis- 
 trict Deputy Grand High Priest for 6th District. 
 Harry A. Douglass, High Priest. 
 
 11 
 
May 27, 1910 Winthrop Royal Arch Chapter, Winthrop. In 
 special honor to R.*. E.-. Frank F. Cook, District 
 Deputy Grand High Priest for let District. 
 Guy H. Maynard, High Priest. 
 
 June 1, 1910 Dalhousie Lodge, Newton ville. Fiftieth Anni- 
 versary. 
 
 Charles E. Hatfield, Worshipful Master. 
 
 June 9, 1910 Pentalpha Royal Arch Chapter, East Weymouth, 
 In special honor to R.-. E.*. Eben H. Cain, Dis- 
 trict Deputy Grand High Priest for 7th District. 
 Gardner R. P. Barker, High Priest. 
 
 June 14, 1910 King Solomon Royal Arch Chapter, Warren. 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. 
 
 John B. Canfield, High Priest. 
 
 June 15, 1910 Keystone Royal Arch Chapter, Foxborough. 
 Fiftieth Anniversary. Ladies' Night. Home Chap- 
 ter of E.'. Charles W. Bemis, Grand Steward. 
 Henry E. Fairbanks, High Priest. 
 
 June 22, 1910 Northampton Royal Arch Chapter, Northampton. 
 Ralph H. Clark, High Priest. 
 
 June 30, 1910 Escorted in procession by Cambridge Royal Arch 
 Chapter, Irving C. Langley, High Priest, at lay- 
 ing of corner-stone of new Masonic Temple at 
 Cambridge. Assisted in laying corner-stone by 
 the courtesy and at the request of M.\ W.*. 
 Dana J. Flanders, Grand Master of Masons of 
 Massachusetts. 
 
 July 14, 1910 Clambake of Fall River Royal Arch Chapter, 
 Fall River (informal). 
 
 William J. Gardner, High Priest. 
 
 Sept. 1,1910 Concord Royal Arch Chapter, South Framing- 
 ham. Social meeting. Blue Lodge members 
 specially invited. 
 
 C. E. B. Chase, High Priest. 
 
 Sept. 12, 1910 Royal Arch Chapter of the Shekinah, Chelsea. 
 Alfred Anderson, High Priest. 
 On the occasion of visit of delegations from 
 Carleton Chapter, St. John, N. B. and Union 
 Chapter, Yarmouth, N. S. 
 
 12 
 
Sept. 20, 1910 Newton Royal Arch Chapter, Newton ville. 
 C. Arthur Boutelle, High Priest. 
 Public installation of officers by E.-. Charles W. 
 Delano, Grand Lecturer. Ladies' Night. Ac- 
 ceptance of election to Honorary Membership. 
 
 Sept. 22,1910 Waverly Royal Arch Chapter, Melrose. Public 
 installation of officers by M.'. E.'. Harry Hunt, 
 Past Grand High Priest. Ladies' Night. 
 
 Willis O. Chapman, High Priest. 
 Home Chapter of Rev. and E.-. Paul Sterling, 
 Grand Chaplain. 
 
 Sept 28,1910 Reading Royal Arch Chapter, Reading. Home 
 Chapter of R.-. E.-. George O. Sheldon, Grand 
 King. 
 
 E. A. Wilkins, High Priest. 
 
 Oct. 17, 1910 Clinton Royal Arch Chapter, Clinton. Home 
 Chapter of E.-. E. O. Burton, Grand Royal Arch 
 Captain. 
 
 Oct. 24, 1910 Special Convocation of Grand Royal Arch Chap- 
 ter. Constitution and Consecration of Wareham 
 Royal Arch Chapter, Wareham. 
 
 John Huxtable, High Priest. 
 Installed officers, with assistance of E.". Lorenzo 
 L. Green, Grand Lecturer, R.\ E.*. Warren P. 
 Dudley, Deputy Grand High Priest, R.*. E.*. 
 Edwin S. Crandon, Past Deputy Grand High 
 Priest, R.-. E.-. W. H. H. Soule, Past Grand 
 Scribe. 
 
 Oct. 31, 1910 St. Mark's Chapter, Taunton. Public installa- 
 tion of officers by M.*. E.*. Harry Hunt, Past 
 Grand High Priest, with M.-. E.'. Samuel F. Hub- 
 bard, Past Grand High Priest, 'as Grand Captain 
 of the Host. Ladies' Night. 
 
 Enos D. Williams, High Priest. 
 
 Nov. 8, 1910 Miller Royal Arch Chapter, Franklin. Installa- 
 tion of officers by E.*. Charles W. Delano, Grand 
 Lecturer. Blue Lodge members invited. 
 In special honor to R.'. E.'. Albert H. Martin, 
 District Deputy Grand High Priest for 9th 
 District. 
 
 Ezra L. Blauchard, High Priest. 
 
 13 
 
Nov. 25, 1910 Morning Star Royal Arch Chapter, Springfield. 
 Installation by R.'-. E.'. W. W. Wallace, Past 
 District Deputy Grand High Priest, assisted by 
 Past High Priests. Ladies' Night. 
 
 Charles E. Hamilton, High Priest. 
 
 Nov. 30, 1910 Special Convocation of Grand Royal Arch Chap- 
 ter. Constitution and Consecration of Gardner 
 Royal Arch Chapter, Gardner. 
 
 * William H. Wilder, High Priest. 
 Installed officers with assistance of R.-. E.'. War- 
 ren P. Dudley, Deputy Grand High Priest ; 
 R.-. E.-. George O. Sheldon, Grand King; 
 R.-. E.-. Fred H. Scott, Grand Scribe, and 
 E.'. Lorenzo L. Green, Grand Lecturer. 
 
 Dec. 1, 1910 Mt. Sinai Royal Arch Chapter, Lawrence. Fif- 
 tieth Anniversary. Ladies' Night. 
 Dean K. Webster, High Priest. 
 
 Dec. 12, 1910 Grand Council Royal and Select Masters of 
 
 Massachusetts. Annual Session. Reception of 
 
 M.-. P.*. Graff M. Acklin, General Grand Master 
 
 of General Grand Council of the United States. 
 
 M.-. I.-. Everett C. Benton, Grand Master. 
 
 The various addresses made on public and other important 
 occasions having been prepared with considerable care, upon 
 special request, I append to this report a few of the principal 
 ones, namely : 
 
 Address to Mt. Lebanon Royal Arch Chapter, 
 Milford, February 24. 
 
 Address on " Masonic Memories " before Order 
 of High Priesthood, March 8. 
 
 • 
 Response to toast " Toleration " before Aurora 
 Grata Chapter Rose Croix, Ancient and Accepted 
 Scottish Rite, Brooklyn, N. Y., March 24. 
 
 Address to St. Paul's Royal Arch Chapter, Bos- 
 ton, on Patriot's Day, April 19. 
 
 Address • at Fiftieth Anniversary and Ladies' 
 Night of Keystone Royal Arch Chapter, Fox- 
 borough, June 15. 
 
 14 
 
INSTRUCTIONS AND REQUESTS TO DEPUTIES 
 
 Among others, the following special communication was sent to 
 the several Deputies : — 
 
 Right Excellent Gompanions : 
 
 To you, chosen for your excellence, for pre-eminent love for 
 the Capitular Rite, for having distinguished yourselves by doing 
 accurate, careful degree work, to you as the particular personal 
 representatives of the Grand High Priest 1 would say a few words 
 personally. 
 
 1st. As 1 wisli to emphasize your appointment and its honor, 
 I propose to visit the home Chapter of each District Deputy Grand 
 High Priest at some time during the coming year. I leave the 
 time and occasion to you, and as this visit is to be in your special 
 honor, this should be at some time other than at your regular 
 official visitation. Please advise me as to date most desired, and 
 the nature of the occasion, what degree will be worked, etc., remem- 
 bering that these visits must be distributed through the year. 
 
 2d. The following districts did not have any exemplifications 
 last year, and, therefore, under the law, must have one this year 
 of 1910. 
 
 1st District, R.-. E.-. Frank F. Cook 
 2d " ' " Charles H. Preston 
 
 8th " " David T. Montague 
 
 9th " " Albert H. Martin 
 
 10th '*• '• John A. DeCamp 
 
 12th '' " William T. Swain 
 
 Please arrange at once dates for such exemplifications, remember- 
 ing that there are but two Grand Lecturers. Please arrange 
 dates with them and then notify me, Tiie Giand Lecturers are 
 Excellent Lorenzo L. Green, of Medford, and Excellent Charles 
 W. Delano, of Worcester. ^ 
 
 I am glad to note that nearly all of these exemplifications have 
 l>een arranged for already by the several Deputies concerned. I 
 gratefully acknowledge their zeal, energy, and promptness. 
 
 15 
 
3d. r would earnestly request the Deputies of the remaining 
 Districts, namely, 
 
 3d District, R.-. E.-. Lewis M. Witherell 
 4th « " Clifford B. Arnold 
 
 5th " " Edward J. Reece 
 
 fith " " Robert W. Browning 
 
 7th " " Eben H. Cain 
 
 11th '' " Charles W. Godfrey 
 
 to use their best endeavors to have their districts hold exemplifi- 
 oations in the year 1910, believing that such exemplifications will 
 be for the best ultimate good of the several Chapters, the District 
 and the Gi .apter. 
 
 4th. Please remember that one of the Grand Lecturers will 
 visit any Chapter at any time, for purposes of instruction, by the 
 Chapter paying his expenses and services. (At exemplifications 
 the Grand Chapter pays the Lecturer.) 
 
 Please have your Chapters take full advantage of this. I 
 would especially emphasize this matter. 
 
 5th. I expect prompt information and in full detail within 
 your several districts. You are personally accountable for all 
 Chapters in your districts, and are expected to visit them and 
 keep informed in regard to them. You are especially requested 
 to urge upon the Chapters the advantages of a permanent fund 
 arid the wisdom of its establishment. 
 
 6th. Every District Deputy Grand High Priest is expected 
 and personally requested by the Grand High Priest to prepaie 
 himself to install the officers of any Chapter in his district so 
 requesting. 
 
 7th. On every official visit to the several Chapters in your 
 districts you are most earnestly requested to be attended with a 
 suite of Grand officers. Past High Priests and members of the 
 Councils of the Chapters in your district. This I regard as im- 
 portant. Please send lists of your visitations as soon as arranged 
 to all of the Grand officers. 
 
 16. 
 
8th. Your commission reads : 
 
 " He is also required to examine their Charters, Rec- 
 ords, By-Laws and mode of work, and see that in all 
 their doings they conform to the ancient customs of 
 Royal Arch Masons and the rules and regulations 
 of our Grand Chapter. He will carefully inspect their 
 Books of Marks. 
 
 " And it is hereby enjoined upon him to make return to 
 me of his doings herein, by authority of this Commission, 
 on or before Dec. 1, 1910." 
 
 Please bear these things well in mind, especially to see that all 
 Chapters main tain the dignity of the Order in all the degree work, 
 particularly in the Past Master and Royal Arch Degrees. 
 
 9th. On your official visitation to each Chap' our District 
 
 examine with particular care the Books of Marks and in your 
 annual report to the Grand High Priest specify, as to each Chapter, 
 the condition and use of its Books by answering the following 
 questions : — 
 
 1. Whether any present members of the Chapters have 
 been exalted to the Royal Arch Degree whose Marks 
 have not been recorded in the Book of Marks. If any, 
 give names and dates of receiving all degrees. 
 
 2. Are the Books of Marks well kept and in good condition? 
 
 3. Are the Marks accurately and artistically drawn and 
 are they in accordance with the traditions and dignity 
 of the Order ? 
 
 4. Do the Council of the Chapter understand that no can- 
 didate should be exalted to the Royal Arch Degree un- 
 til his Mark has actually been recorded in the Book of 
 Marks ? 
 
 0. Does an intelligible description accompany each Mark ? 
 10th. Please use your utmost influence to cause the Chapters 
 to use the several Lectures belonging to the Degrees and to re- 
 (|uire all candidates to give them in open Chapter before receiving 
 the succeeding degree. Two officers in each Chapter may well 
 be designated as instructors in the Lectures, and give them at 
 every exemplification and from time to time in the Chapter, espe- 
 cially when there are no degrees to be worked. The Grand High 
 Priest is an earnest believer in the value of the Lectures and 
 unhesitatingly recommends their general use by the Chapters. 
 
 17 
 
11th. Please remember that the Grand High Priest wishes to 
 discourage all undue haste and " railroading " of candidates, and 
 therefore please do not forward to him any requests for dispensa- 
 tions unless the need is imperative. 
 
 12th. Your attention is called to Art. XI of the Constitution 
 of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter, as follows : — 
 
 " every Chapter of Royal Arch Masons under this 
 Jurisdiction shall be represented by its High Priest, 
 King and Scribe, or either of them, in person or by 
 their respective proxies, at every Convocation of the 
 Grand Chapter. If any Chapter under this Jurisilic- 
 
 tion shall neglect to be 
 
 represented in this Grand Chapter for two years in 
 
 succession 
 
 then the said Chapter shall forfeit 
 
 its Charter, etc." 
 
 The Grand High Priest would ask each Deputy to attend to this, 
 use every endeavor to have every Chapter in his District repre- 
 sented by a member of the Council, if possible^ at every convoca- 
 tion, or by proxy to a member in any event. Please see what you 
 can do, each in his own District, beginning at the next Quarterly 
 Convocation, March 8. 
 
 Trusting that these various recommendations will be approved 
 and heartily followed by you, and wishing you the best of success 
 during your service, I am 
 
 Yours very sincerely, 
 
 Charles Dana Burrage, 
 
 Chrand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch 
 Chapter of Massachusetts. 
 Boston, Mass., Jan. 31, 1910. 
 
 V 
 LECTURES 
 
 Recommendation No. 10, regarding lectures, in letter to Depu- 
 ties, has been adopted by several Chapters, to whom I return 
 warmest thanks. I was greatly pleased to find that large audiences 
 received these lectures with applause and hearty approval. 
 
 I urge every Chapter to rehearse the lectures whenever they 
 have no work, and at all other convenient times. 
 
 The custom distinctly adds to the dignity of the Chapter. 
 
 18 
 
VISITS TO HOME CHAPTERS OF DEPUTIES AND GRAND OFFICERS 
 
 My suggestion, in letter to the Deputies, that 1 would be glad 
 to visit the home Chapter of each Deputy, was received with 
 hearty approval, and the list of visits made, on special invitation 
 from the High Priest in each case, will show that I have made 
 such visits in every District, except the Twelfth or Cape District, 
 where illness and resignation of the Deputy prevented. 
 
 I have also made visits to the home Chapters of Grand officers, 
 making a total of eighteen home Chapters of Deputies and other 
 Grand officers visited. All these visits have proved exceedingly 
 enjoyable, and I hope were of value to the Craft. I recommend 
 to my successor to visit the home Chapter of every Grand officer 
 during the next year, if invited, as one of the best methods avail- 
 able of enhancing the importance and dignity of these positions. 
 1 would further emphasize to the Chapters the advantage of pro- 
 viding simple refreshments on such occasions. These visits should 
 always be a pleasure, not a burden, to the Chapter. 
 
 NATIONAL FLAG 
 
 The following suggestion as to the National Flag was made to 
 the Chapters direct : — 
 
 (granb Sogal Arrif (Hlfupttt nf 
 
 Office of Grand High Priest, March, 1910. 
 To all Roycd Arch Chapters in Massachusetts : — 
 
 Believing that every Royal Arch Chapter is the home of deep, 
 true and abiding patriotism, of love of country that is entwined 
 with the heart strings of every member, the Grand High Priest 
 earnestly urges and recommends to every Chapter to display the 
 American flag in the Chapter hall at every convocation, regular, 
 and special. 
 
 If ever the angry and menacing heads of Anarchy and Disunion 
 shall be raised to threaten the life of our great nation, in our 
 ancient institution will be found one of the most important bulwarks 
 of* national defence, a most potent force of conservatism and 
 unyielding loyalty, founded upon and growing out of its profound 
 love and reverence for God as the great architect of the universe. 
 
 We shall do well, therefore, to inculcate at all times respect for 
 the nation's emblem, to treasure and recount its honorable history, 
 
 10 
 
with the glorious deeds of valor performed under its inspiration, 
 and to teach lovingly and with grateful hearts the meaning of its 
 silent, irresistible appeal to our souls and consciences, as it waves 
 proudly in the free air of heaven, side by side with the Chapter's 
 scarlet symbols. 
 
 Fraternally yours, 
 
 (haklks Dana Burrage, 
 
 Grand High Priest. 
 
 As I have visited the Chapters in all parts of the State, 1 have 
 been pleased to find the beautiful flag of our nation in every 
 Chapter hall, with but one exception, and in that case the delay 
 in obtaining it was but temporary. 
 
 I sincerely trust that tiie near future will see the Stars an<l 
 Stripes in every Chapter meeting throughout the United States, 
 to emphasize this self-evident truth, that in Masonry in this free 
 Republic is to be found the home of conservatism, one of the 
 strongest forces in all America for the support of patriotism, and 
 of that liberty under law for which our fathers fought and died. 
 
 PERMANENT FUNDS 
 
 Believing earnestly that if Capitular Masonry is to endure 
 through the ages that Chapters must establish permanent funds. 
 I have upon every occasion urged their adoption upon the Chap- 
 ters. Such a fund throws additional safeguards around the accu- 
 mulation of money already in the treasury, encourages thrift, dis- 
 courages sudden wasteful and extravagant proposals, tends to in- 
 crease the stability and strength of the Institution, and to prevent 
 dry-rot, and is a wise measure of protection against the certain day 
 of famine and of wrath. More than this, the existence of a per- 
 manent fund encourages bequests, for without it they are valueless. 
 
 I sent the following requests to all presiding High Priests : — 
 
 (grattb Sngal Kxt\\ Qllyapt^r of 
 ^ ifflafijaarlfUjai^llfi 
 
 Office or the Grand High Priest, March, 1910. 
 To High Priest of Chapters : — 
 
 For the convenience of Chapters contemplating the establish- 
 ment of 
 
 permanent funds 
 
 and to assist them in drafting proper By-laws therefor, Art. 
 
 20 
 
XVIII oi the Constitution of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter is 
 particularly called to their attention. It is as follows : — 
 
 ARTICLE XVIII PERMANENT FUNDS 
 
 Any Chapter under the jurisdiction of this Grand Chapter that 
 now has or shall in the future have a By-law that provides for 
 Life Membership must have the said By-law comply with the fol- 
 lowing requirements : — 
 
 Section 1. The Life Membership fee shall be, and shall con- 
 tinue, not less than ten times the fee for annual dues, but in no 
 case shall it be less than twenty-five dollars. 
 
 Sect. 2. All moneys received for Life Membership, and such 
 other moneys as may be added by vote of the Chapter, shall con- 
 stitute a Permanent Fund, which shall be invested in the name 
 of the Chapter. The management and investment of the same 
 shall be placed in the care of a Board of Trustees, who shall be 
 elected by the Chapter in the Annual Convocation, and shall 
 annually make a report to the Chapter of the condition and 
 amount of said fund, and how the same shall be invested. 
 
 Sect. 3. That nothing but the income of the said fund shall 
 be used for any purpose whatsoever unless a notice in writing to 
 that effect shall have been presented at a regular convocation of 
 the Chapter, and notice of such intended action shall have been 
 printed on the notices and mailed to every member of the Chap- 
 ter at least ten days before such action is to be taken, and then 
 only at a regular convocation of the Chapter, and by not less than 
 ji two-thirds vote of the members present. 
 
 Adopted March 12, 1907. 
 Name of Chapter 
 
 Question 1 Has your Chapter a Permanent Fund ? 
 
 2 Date when fund was established. 
 
 3 Present amount of same. 
 
 4 How invested? Please enclose copy of Trustees' 
 last report, if convenient. 
 
 5 Have the By-laws of the Chapter been made to 
 conform to the requirements of Art. XVIII of 
 Constitution of Grand Royal Arch Chapter as 
 adopted March 12, 1907? (See circular enclosed 
 for copy.) 
 
 21 
 
6 Approximate present annual increase of Perma- 
 nent Funds. 
 
 7 What is charge for degrees ? 
 
 8 Has the Chapter established life membership, if so, 
 what is fee and how many life members have you ? 
 
 9 What are the present annual dues of your Chapter 
 charged each member ? 
 
 10 What was the total income of Chapter, from dues 
 alone, in 1909? What part of same is still uncol- 
 lected ? 
 
 * 
 
 1 1 What were the total current expenses of the Chapter 
 
 for the year 1909 ? 
 
 12 Have you the Constitution and Digest of the Grand 
 Chapter March 12, 1901 ? 
 
 Have you all the amendments to date ? 
 
 List of amendments 
 
 Sept. 8, 1903 
 Mar. 13, 1906 
 Mar. 12, 1907 
 
 amendments to Particular Regulations 
 
 June 9, 1903 
 
 Sept. 13, 1904 
 
 June 13, 1906 
 
 Dec. 12, 1905 
 
 Mar. 13, 1906 
 
 From the answers, it is clear that many of the most enterprising 
 Chapters either have established such funds in the past, or are 
 now doing so, but there are many that have not yet done any- 
 thing about it. 
 
 I unhesitatingly urge the matter upon their consideration. 
 
 It is only too evident from the replies as to expenses and in- 
 come that the majority of Chapters are living in large part upon 
 the money received from candidates, their dues alone being in- 
 sufficient to pay the running expenses. 
 
 I firmly believe that if we are to maintain our beautiful insti- 
 tution of Freemasonry through the centuries to come, that until 
 such time as the permanent funds will provide income all its 
 bodies must live within their dues, leaving the larger part, at 
 least, of the monej received from candidates to accumulate. 
 
 22 
 
In this way alone shall we ever be able to render those large 
 services of charity to dependent and suffering widows and children 
 to which our solemn obligations pledge us. Is it not too true that 
 American Masons do not as yet realize their obligations as Eng- 
 lish Masons do? The Grand Lodge of Massachusetts deserves 
 the largest measure of credit for awaking at last from its hundred- 
 year sleep and founding a Masonic Home. 
 
 MASONIC HOME 
 
 I certainly hope that the Grand Chapter will not rest content 
 with its recent gift to the Masonic Home, but will give an annual 
 sum for its support, in gratitude that such a home has at last been 
 established and to redeem in some degree our obligations arising 
 From our oaths to God, that we would listen to and heed the cries 
 of the stricken and desolate ; of the widow, broken with grief and 
 thrown upon the world, of the children deprived of protection 
 and left to the cold charity of selfish interest. 
 
 GRAND CHAPTER CONVOCATIONS 
 
 The full record of the several regular and special convocations 
 will appear in the printed Proceedings. 
 
 The Service of Sorrow in March was well received, and I 
 thank you for your warm co-operation in thus recalling the illus- 
 trious services of those who have laid down earthly burdens and 
 passed over the dark river. 
 
 The visit in June of M.*. E.*. Nathan Kingsley, General Grand 
 High Priest of the General Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the 
 United States of America, was most pleasant His studious 
 niMiiuer, high character and attainments and evident devotion to 
 Capitular Masonry impressed the members of the Grand Chapter 
 most favorably. 
 
 The Grand Chapter officers united in doing everything possible, 
 between daylight and midnight, to entertain our guest, and the 
 Past Grand High Priests gave loyal service on the Committee. 
 
 At the June Convocation of the Grand Chapter there was a 
 large attendance to meet Most Excellent Kingsley, seventy-two 
 Chapters out of the seventy-eight in the Commonwealth being 
 represented. 
 
 Past Grand High Priest Hubbard was unwearied, as a commit- 
 tee of one, in introducing the guest to the many quaint and historic 
 
 23 
 
sites of old Boston. M.-. E.-. Arthur G. Pollard, Past General 
 Grand High Priest, entertained the party at Lowell, in a delight- 
 ful manner, and is entitled to the warmest thanks of the Grand 
 Chapter for his thoughtful and splendid liberality. The following 
 letter speaks for itself : — 
 
 Austin, Minn., June 13, 1910. 
 My Dear Sir and Companion : — 
 
 I arrived home yesterday morning, on schedule time, feeling 
 very well indeed, having had some needed rest on my journey, 
 which was entirely without incident. 
 
 As I look back, even now, at the cordial spirit manifested by 
 your Grand Chapter and the delightful entertainment provided 
 for me while visiting the Royal Arch Masons of your State, I 
 think they are among the most delightful days I have spent in the 
 performance of my official duties. 
 
 The Grand Chapter of Massachusetts, through yourself, and its 
 committees, certainly did everything possible for my comfort aud 
 pleasure, and I wish especially to convey to the Companions of 
 your Jurisdiction, through you, my most sincere and heartfelt 
 thanks for the many delightful experiences of my visit. 
 
 I congratulate your Grand Chapter and the Rojal Arch Ma- 
 sons of your Jurisdiction on the splendid showing you are making 
 in the inculcation of the sublime principles of the Royal Arch and 
 the healthy state of Masonic sentiment as I found it to exist in 
 your Jurisdiction. 
 
 I wish also especially to extend my thanks to you for the many 
 personal courtesies received at your hands, not forgetting to men- 
 tion the artistic and literary souvenirs so kindly furnished me for 
 my diversion and entertainment, all of which I shall preserve and 
 cherish as mementoes of my visit to your city and State, and of 
 my personal acquaintance with yourself, whom I came to esteem 
 most highly on account of your personal worth as well as the ex- 
 alted position you occupy in and out of the Craft of your city and 
 State. 
 
 The photographs I mentioned have not arrived yet, — as soon as 
 they do I shall ask you to kindly accept one of them as a slight 
 token of my personal esteem. 
 
 Very sincerely and fraternally, 
 
 Nathan Kingsley, 
 
 General Grand High Priest. 
 
 Charles Dana Burrage, Esq., 
 
 85 Ames Building, 
 
 Boston, Mass. 
 
 24 
 
GRAND OFFICERS 
 
 The Grand officers deserve many thanks from me, for they 
 have been most loyal, courteous and obliging. 
 
 Excellent Lorenzo L. Green and E.*. Charles W. Delano, 
 (4rand Lecturers, deserve your grateful and appreciative thanks 
 for good work, under strenuous conditions, — for most faithful 
 service undertaken from a great and abiding love for the Rite. 
 There has been an increased demand for their services in attend- 
 ing Chapters for instruction, which is very gratifying. 
 
 M.*. El.*. J. Gilman Waite, Grand Secretary, deserves the hearti- 
 est commendation for the work of the year. I gratefully acknowl- 
 edge his invaluable assistance to myself, and return him my 
 hearty thanks. He has, by hard labor, disposed of past accumu- 
 lations, caused by family illness, as Committee on Foreign Corre- 
 spondence, and will issue the Report of Proceedings for 1910 
 early after the close of .this Convocation. 
 
 E.*. Edward P. Hatch, Grand Captain of the Host, has been espe- 
 cially diligent, accompanying me upon nearly all the visitations to 
 Chapters. His unassuming and generous devotion to Capitular 
 Masonry has been apparent during many years, and he is but 
 continuing his unselfish service. 
 
 NOTICES 
 
 Most of the Chapters in the State (all but 12) publish their 
 annual list of officers on their notices, a convenient and commend- 
 able custom ; many (45) add thereto their list of Past High 
 Priests, and a few (9) note, either after the name or by foot-note, 
 such of these as have attained permanent membership by election 
 to office in the Grand Chapter, stating the position held. 
 
 I strongly urge upon every Chapter to adopt all these sugges- 
 tions, believing it would conduce to the dignity and advantage of 
 the Rite. It would cost but little more, as the names are set up 
 in type but once, at the beginning of the year, and may be carried 
 many years. 
 
 Bear in mind that the printed records of the Grand Chapter 
 give the name and year of service, under the title of office, but 
 not the name of the Chapter to which the honored incumbent 
 belonged. 
 
 25 
 
MARKS 
 
 The following was sent to the Deputies, and has received quite 
 general response : — 
 
 (&ra«b Snyal Arrlj Qllyaptfr af 
 iffia0Bari|U0^ttB 
 
 To the District Deputy Grand High Priests : — 
 
 For the purpose of stimulating interest in the Mark, to provide 
 means for a more comprehensive study of the undoubted richness 
 of the treasures now in the various Chapter books, the Grand 
 High Priest requests each Deputy to procure from each Chapter 
 in his district six copies of the Marks now in their books that, in 
 the opinion of the Council of the Chapter, may be fairly considered 
 " the best." 
 
 There is no limit on their action. They may choose them be- 
 cause of their simplicity, because they are, in their opinion, most 
 fairly representative according to the known requirements, or be- 
 cause of their beauty or unique quality or intricacy of design, or 
 for any other reason. 
 
 Those in color should be colored in the copies Cards will be 
 furnished each Deputy in sufficient number to provide six for 
 each Chapter. Put the simple description of the Mark on the 
 card, but no name, not even the name of the Chapter. 
 
 The Deputy will forward the cards from each Chapter separately, 
 and the Grand Secretary will preserve his private record. 
 
 The cards will be bound in a book, and be kept open for general 
 inspection at the Grand Secretary's office and at the grand convo- 
 cations. 
 
 There will be no competition, no award of prizes, no designa- 
 tion of one above another. 
 
 Because the Grand High Priest would like to see such a selec- 
 tion himself, he believes every High Priest, present and past, 
 would also enjoy the opportunity % 
 
 The active and enthusiastic co-operation of every Chapter in the 
 State is earnestly requested, for the good of the Order. 
 Fraternally and most sincerely, 
 
 Charles Dana Burrage, 
 
 Grand High Priest. 
 March, 1910. 
 
 I am greatly obliged to the Chapters for their attention to this 
 request, involving labor and expense, and I feel confident that the 
 Book of Marks so prepared, and now on exhibition in the office 
 of the Grand Secretary, fully justifies the effort. 
 
 26 
 
REQUEST TO OTHER GRAND CHAPTERS 
 
 Upon my request, through M.*. E.-. Jay B. Kline, Grand High 
 Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of New York, Buffalo 
 Chapter, No. 71, of Buffalo, of that obedience, generously and 
 most courteously conferred the Chapter Degrees upon M. C. 
 Brush, who had been elected to Newton Royal Arch Chapter, of 
 Newton ville, but moved to Buffalo before receiving the degrees. 
 
 CONSTITUTION AND PARTICULAR REGULATIONS 
 
 As but few copies remain of the Constitution of this Grand 
 Chapter (as 1 have used them freely in supplying Chapters), by 
 my authority a new edition will soon be issued, containing also all 
 the Particular Regulations adopted to date, the By-Laws or Digest 
 of Capitular Law, and the Services for Constitution of Chapters, 
 Installation of Officers and for Burials. 
 
 EXEMPLIFICATIONS 
 
 I believe in the value of exemplifications. I feel quite confident 
 that Massachusetts possesses the best Grand Lecturers in the 
 country, and I find the Chapters universally ready to co-operate 
 in holding exemplifications. 
 
 As conducted to-day, however, trying to work, with comment, 
 all four degrees at one sitting seems to me to involve too much 
 strain upon Chapters, audience and Grand Lecturers. 
 
 I have authorized the Grand Lecturers, at their discretion, to 
 change the order of procedure at any time, and work the Royal 
 Arch Degree first, to avoid that indifference and neglect that come 
 with weariness, for it is too important to be always placed last. 
 
 But I would go further, and, upon occasion, hold an exemplifi- 
 cation each year, and work only two degrees in the evening. In 
 addition to this, I would reduce the size of the districts, making it 
 easier to reach a central point, giving each Chapter the opportu- 
 nity to work a larger portion, and every Companion a far better 
 chance to attend, at less expense. 
 
 REDISTRICTING 
 
 Therefore I recommend to my successor to divide the State 
 into fifteen districts, instead of twelve, as at present. 
 
 27 
 
The proposed districts are made up as follows : — 
 
 PROPOSED REORGANIZATION OF CAPITULAR DISTRICTS 
 
 Capitular Districts 
 
 1911 
 
 District No. 1 
 
 St. Andrew's Boston Mt. Vernon Roxbury 
 
 St. Paul's Boston Dorchester Dorchester 
 
 St. Matthew's South Boston 
 
 Washington 
 Sutton 
 Wm. Fersou 
 
 Salem 
 Lynn 
 Gloucester 
 
 District No. 2 
 
 Holten 
 Amity 
 Ipswich 
 
 Dan vers 
 Beverly 
 Ipswich 
 
 Adoniram 
 Fall River 
 
 District No. 3 
 
 New Bedford 
 Fall River 
 Wareham 
 
 St. Mark's 
 Kinu Hiram 
 Wareham 
 
 Taunton 
 Attleborough 
 
 District No. 4 
 
 Worcester Worcester Eureka Worcester 
 
 K'g Solomon's Warren St. Elmo Whitinsville 
 
 Doric Southbridge Tyrian Millbury 
 
 District No. 5 
 
 Morning Star Springfield Evening Star Westfield 
 
 Hampden Palmer Unity Chicopee Falh 
 
 Mt. Holyoke Holyoke 
 
 District No. 6 
 
 Franklin Greenfield Union Athol 
 
 Northampton Northampton Crescent Orange 
 
 Pilgrim Abington 
 
 St. Stephen's Quincy 
 Samoset Plymouth 
 
 District No. 7 
 
 Satucket 
 
 Pentalpha 
 
 Harmony 
 
 Brockton 
 
 Weymouth 
 
 Bridgewater 
 
 28 
 
Waverly 
 
 Mystic 
 
 Menotomy 
 
 Kiug Cyrus 
 Mt. Horeb 
 
 Berkshire 
 Corinthian 
 
 Thomas 
 
 Clinton 
 
 District No. 8 
 
 Melrose Woburn 
 
 Medford Reading 
 
 Arlington Tabernacle 
 
 Newburyport 
 Lowell 
 
 Trinity 
 
 District No. 9 
 
 Pentucket 
 Mt. Sinai 
 Amesbury 
 
 Pittsfield 
 Adams 
 
 District No. 10 
 
 Composite 
 Monument 
 
 District No. U 
 
 Fitchburg North Star 
 
 Clinton Bancroft 
 
 Gardner Gardner 
 
 Woburn 
 Reading 
 Maiden 
 
 Haverhill 
 Lawrence 
 
 North Adams 
 Great Harrington 
 
 Winchendon 
 Ayer 
 
 District No. 12 
 
 Orient Hyannis Jos. Warren Provincetown 
 
 Isle of the Sea Nantucket S. Baxter West Harwich 
 
 District No. 13 
 
 Concord So. Franiingham Parker Natick 
 
 Waltham Waltham Newton Newtonville 
 
 Houghton Marlborough Walden Concord 
 
 Mt. Zion 
 Mt. Lebanon 
 Keystone 
 
 Stoughton 
 Milford 
 
 Fox borough 
 
 District No. 14 
 
 Norfolk 
 
 Miller 
 
 Hebron 
 
 District No. 15 
 
 St. John's East Boston Chapter of 
 
 Chapter of the the Signet 
 
 Shekinah Chelsea Somerville 
 
 Cambridge Cambridge Winthrop 
 
 Hyde Park 
 
 Franklin 
 
 Norwood 
 
 Charlestown 
 
 Somerville 
 
 Winthrop 
 
 GRAND REPRESENTATIVES 
 
 In accordance with custom I have forwarded to the Grand High 
 Priests of other States names for appointment as Grand Repre- 
 sentatives near the Grand Chapter of Massachusetts. Moist of 
 
 29 
 
these were reappoiDtments, but the following new names were sug- 
 gested and duly appointed : — 
 
 Dist. of Columbia 
 
 Florida 
 
 Indiana 
 
 Kentucky . 
 
 Mississippi 
 
 Nevada 
 
 New Jersey 
 
 Ohio . ' 
 
 Quebec 
 
 Frederick T. Comee 
 Enoch G. Best . . 
 Henry H. Litchfield 
 Jesse E. Ames . . 
 John L. Stone . . 
 Eleazer H. Brazer . 
 Edward E. Jameson 
 Leon M. Abbott 
 Henry S. Bunton . 
 
 Woon socket, R. I 
 
 Greenfield 
 
 Plymouth 
 
 Boston 
 
 Marlborough 
 
 Chelsea 
 
 Quincy 
 
 Boston 
 
 Hyde Park 
 
 In accordance with the vote of the Grand Chapter at the June 
 C'on vocation establishing interchange of Representatives with the 
 Grand Chapters of Washington, Idaho, and Wyoming the follow- 
 ing appointments were made, by these States, as Representatives 
 near the Grand Chapter of Massachusetts : — 
 
 Washington . . , Augustus P. Calder . Hoxbury 
 
 Idaho Robert W. Browning . Concord Junction 
 
 Wyoming .... Frederick E. Pierce . Greenfield 
 
 JURISDICTION 
 
 During the past year, as for many years past, the matter of 
 jurisdiction of the Chapters has caused vexatious questions to arise, 
 which have, however, been settled by the good sense and fairness 
 of those involved. I am especially grateful to E.-. Arthur H. 
 Parker, High Priest, of Eureka Royal Arch Chapter, of Worces- 
 ter, and to E.-. Wilfred D. Smith, High Priest, of Waltham Royal 
 Arch Chapter, of Waltham, for their tactful consideration of such 
 (juestions. 
 
 The present law reads : — 
 
 Article XIV. A candidate for the degrees shall make applica- 
 tion to the Chapter in the town or city where the applicant resides, 
 if there be a Chapter therein, but if there be none, he shall apply 
 to the Chapter holding jurisdiction nearest his residence. 
 
 Although this law was clearly and succintly stated, with its 
 history, by my lamented and beloved predecessor, M.*. E.-. Baalis 
 Sanford. it is not understood by the Chapters. It is not clear to 
 the average High Priest ; requires the services of a surveyor, in 
 many cases, to determine its application, and causes injustice to 
 
 30 
 
many candidates. To meet this question fnirly in the spirit of 
 Modern Masonry, remembering that the Grand Commandery and 
 Grand Council have already adopted fixed limits of jurisdiction 
 for their subordinate bodies, 1 unhesitatingly recommend to this 
 Grand Chapter to adopt such limits also. 
 
 I recommend that a Committee of three be appointed at the 
 March Convocation to report at the September Convocation to 
 fix the limits of jurisdiction, both exclusive and concurrent, for 
 each Chapter, with instructions to notify each Chapter of the 
 jurisdiction so fixed for it, and to give ample opportunity for such 
 Chapter to be heard, if it so desire. 
 
 ATTENDANCE 
 
 The record of the year tells of increased attendance b}' Chap- 
 ters at all the Convocations of this Grand Chapter, for which I 
 thank you. Seventy-two Chapters out of seventy-eight were rep- 
 resented at the June Convocation. I have caused notices of 
 Grand Chapter Convocations, with invitations to attend, to be sent 
 to every Past High Priest in the Commonwealth (965 in number), 
 for I am confident that the Grand Chapter ever needs their pres- 
 ence and sympathy, even if they are without the power to speak 
 or vote. I have also caused the burdensome restrictions and de- 
 lays of registering, on entrance to Grand Chapter Convocations, 
 to be removed, by adoption of a card system, which has undoubt- 
 edly increased attendance. 
 
 DEPUTIES AND THEIR REPORTS 
 
 When in 1872 the increasing number of Chapters first compelled 
 their assignments into districts, with District Deputy Grand High 
 Priests to relieve the Grand High Priest, the plan proved a 
 success, and to-day these Deputies are a most useful, valuable and 
 important section of the (xrand officers, and especially of service 
 to the Grand High Priest. They have all been most faithful dur- 
 ing the past year, and I thank them most heartily and sincerely. 
 They have done much to increase the dignity of our Rite, have 
 labored early and late for the best interests of the Chapters, and 
 deserve your continued support in their good and effective work. 
 They generally report their Chapters in good condition, following 
 their By-laws and the Constitution and Regulations closely ; the\ 
 have personally, each in his own district, visited and inspected 
 
 31 
 
every Chapter in the State ; they report that the majority of the 
 Chapters have fireproof safes for their records ; that nearly all 
 display the national flag in their halls, although many still bor- 
 row them from sister bodies ; that many Chapters are forming- 
 permanent funds ; that many Chapters have not duplicate Char- 
 ters, thus exposing their most precious and ancient possession to 
 unnecessary hazard : they have been accompanied by suites of 
 Past High Priests wherever possible, and have most earnestly 
 impressed upon every Chapter the absolute necessity of eliminat- 
 ing forever all undue levity and participation by members in our 
 solemn services, especially in the Past Master and Royal Arch 
 Degrees. 
 
 CONCLUSION 
 
 In conclusion, at the end of this most pleasant and inspiring 
 year of service, I realize better than ever before the strength and 
 the power of this Grand Chapter, the unlimited opportunities for 
 good work that lie before it, and the fulness of accomplishment 
 it has already attained. 
 
 With your co-operation, not only will the gardens of the Temple 
 of Masonry bloom in a greater richness of color, luxuriance of 
 flower and wealth of perfume, but the Temple itself will acquire 
 new and resplendent glories, as the Sun of Promise gilds its spires 
 and minarets with its brilliant radiance, in the dawn of a new day. 
 
 Let the gentle and benign influence of the Grand Chapter bring 
 every Chapter to the full realization of the inherent dignity of our 
 degrees, to the appreciation of the importance of their lessons as 
 the truths of God, to the wisdom of insistence that our cere- 
 monies be conducted as solemnly as if we were in church, and by 
 the officers only ; then, indeed, shall the Chapter take its true 
 place before men as the summit and crown of Ancient Craft 
 Masonry, no longer to be used as a stepping-stone, but prized for 
 its own sake, loved and treasured for its own unclouded and 
 exquisite charm, for its own beautiful simplicity of teaching and 
 irapressiveness of ceremony ; then shall the Chapter send forth 
 its faithful and devoted members into the world with hearts puri- 
 fied and softened, true ministers of peace and good will, of that 
 charity and fraternity engraved in letters of fire upon our Royal 
 Arch, in the shadow of the Scarlet Banner of our faith. 
 
 32 
 
Address Before Mt. Lebanon Royal Arch Qiapter, 
 Mflford, Feb. 24, 19 10 
 
 Most Excelle7it High Priest Lilley and Companions : — 
 
 I am confident that you hardly need the assurance of my pleas- 
 ure to meet again you of Mt. Lebanon under your own roof tree. 
 The years in swift passing have brought many changes : there are 
 vacant chairs in your hall, and many of those you loved have 
 passed beyond. But our Ancient Order continues its quiet prog- 
 ress, the mellowness of age enhancing its beauties as the cen- 
 turies recede, the storms of change and revolution unheeded and 
 unheard in its cloistered silences, above its hallowed walls ever 
 flying in the free air of heaven its beautiful banners of Blue, of 
 Scarlet, of Purple and of the Holy Cross of Christ. When in the 
 high promise of religious devotion the first stone of Cologne 
 Cathedral was laid in the fourteenth century Masonry was al- 
 ready seeing the mosses of age clinging higher and higher on the 
 Temple walls ; already the long line of Masters of the Craft was 
 lengthening into the shadows ; already the lives of men were 
 being made better and nobler by the profound influence of her 
 teachings. The generations of men have come and gone, but her 
 principles are unchanged and everlasting, for they are the prom- 
 ises of God himself, the divine thought expressed in living words, 
 the immortal essence of divinity in man, written in ineffable glory 
 across the Royal Arch, as Charity to the widow and orphan. Fra- 
 ternity to his brother in daily life, Reverence for the Great and 
 Holy Name of the Great Architect of the Universe, and Obedience 
 to His laws. 
 
 " What an immortal palace shall I build 
 When from the exhaustless quarries of the mind 
 I've hewn its priceless marbles — when I find 
 My spirit's utmost prophecy fulfilled ! " 
 
 Charles L. Stone. 
 
 If we of the Chapter wear the Scarlet button, but let no reflec- 
 tion of its flaming fire warm our hearts to be tender and kind ; if 
 we flaunt the keystone before the eyes of men, but forget the ex- 
 quisite beauty of its symbolism, if we do not diligently labor in 
 
 33 
 
the quarries of life, first to shape aud then to polish with the deli- 
 cate engraver's chisel the ashlar of our own nature, can we ever 
 hope to witness the glory of the Royal Arch of Immortality, when 
 we pass the veils of Death ? 
 
 "New occasions teach new duties ; Time makes ancient good 
 
 Gncouth, 
 They must upward still and onward who would keep abreast of 
 
 Truth ; 
 Lo, before us gleam her camp-fires ! 
 We ourselves must pilgrims be, 
 Launch our Mayflower and steer boldly through the desperate 
 
 winter sea, 
 Nor attempt the Future's portal with the past's blood-rusted 
 
 key." 
 
 James Russell Lowell. 
 
 As we hurry over the bridge of life across the black river of 
 Time, we see the twilight fade aud darken before us even as the 
 lights of heaven gleam in the distance. As we stumble along 
 over " the rough and rugged road " do we not rejoice to feel the 
 assuring help of a brother Mason at our elbow, the grateful sym- 
 pathy of his voice sounding in responsive echo on our heart- 
 strings, as the tears of relief, of returning and sustaining courage 
 fall silently in tribute ? 
 
 The countless unknown, unheard of secret deeds of kindness, of 
 infinite and generous charity to brother, and widow and orphan, 
 that daily send rays of brightness across the murky sordidness of 
 existence that so oppresses the weak and distressed are but our 
 tributes to the enduring worth, the mystic appealing power of the 
 Masonic character, tested in the crucible of temptation and tried 
 by the fires of oppression, wrong and human suffering, and the 
 ultimate fulfilment of our vows of knightly service, under the 
 sacred and protecting shadow of the Chapter's scarlet symbols. 
 
 " Lives without purpose are like slender reeds 
 
 That sway and drift upon the river's tide. 
 
 Though life be short, it may be full of deeds 
 
 Of loving kindness. Then in truth abide. 
 
 " Wouldst thou have kindness, then be kind. 
 Wouldst thou have goodness, then be good. 
 A simple way that every one may find 
 
 To reach the heaven of true Brotherhood." 
 From the ^'Two Eternities^ hy Swami YogandUi. 
 
 34 
 
On Invitation of M/. £♦*. President Warren B. Ellis, Before 
 
 Massachusetts Convention of High Priests, Masonic 
 
 Temple, Boston, March 8, 1910 
 
 ^Masonic Memories'' 
 
 Most Excellent President and Companions of the Order of High 
 
 Priesthood: — 
 
 We shall meet in an hour in the Grand Chapter in solemn 
 '' Service of Sorrow," to testify by our presence, and with tribute 
 of slow and stately music, to the worth of our Companions who 
 have journeyed to the Land of Silence, to the hills and mountains 
 of Eternal Light. 
 
 '* Weep not that their toils are over ; weep not that their race is run ; 
 Go grant we may rest as calmly when our work, like theirs, is 
 
 done ; 
 Till then we would yield with gladness our treasure to Him to 
 
 And rejoice in the sweet assurance — ' He giveth His loved ones 
 sleep.' " 
 
 With reluctant feet, but with high courage of soul, they have 
 obeyed the insistent summons of the Angel of the Shadow, and as 
 the veil of mystery opened wide for them we saw, for a moment, 
 the brightness of Eternity" touch their shadowy presences, and 
 illumine their pathway to immortality. 
 
 " There is no death ; the stars go down 
 To rise upon some other shore 
 And bright in heaven's jewelled crown 
 They shine forevermore." 
 
 To each of us, journeying wearily, under heavy burdens, up the 
 Mountains of Hope, over the " rough and rugged roads " of life, 
 there comes the supreme moment at the end, when we see the in- 
 eflPable glory of the " name that no man knoweth " stand forth in 
 letters of fire on the shining white keystone of Truth, its radiance 
 lighting the sombre darkness of Azrael's cloud, which obscures, as 
 with a veil, our view of the Country of Rest, where the Temple 
 of Eternal Peace rises resplendent in the gardens of Immortality. 
 
 35 
 
'' Like the bubble in the brook 
 Or in a glass much like a look, 
 Or like the shuttle in the weaver's hand, 
 Or like the writing in the sand, 
 Or like a thought, or like a dream, 
 Or like the gliding of the stream, 
 Even such is man, who lives by breath 
 Is here, now there, in life and death, 
 The bubble 's out, the look forgot, 
 The shuttle 's flung, the writing 's blot, 
 The thought is past, the dream is gone. 
 The waters glide, man's life is done." 
 
 One by one our comrades have left us, fading into the countless 
 throng, the never-ceasing line of shadows of the brave, the learned 
 and the devout Masters of Masonry, who, for an infinitesimal frac- 
 tion of hurrying time, have each taught from the Orient the 
 sublime and immortal truths of our ancient Institution ; one in his 
 youth, as with eager face he sought the treasures of the Craft ; 
 another, in ripe old age, after a lifetime spent in humble exempli- 
 fication of the great principles we hold in trust from God, of 
 Charity, Fraternity, Obedience to His laws, and reverence for His 
 Great and Holy Name. 
 
 " They are poor 
 That have lost nothing ; they are poorer far 
 Who, losing, have forgotten ; they most poor 
 Of all who lose and wish they might forget, 
 For life is one, and in its w^rp and woof 
 There runs a thread of gold that glitters fair 
 And sometimes in the patteru shows most sweet 
 Where there are sombre colors. It is true 
 That we have wept. But, O this thread of gold I 
 We would not have it tarnish ; let us turn 
 Oft and look back upon this wondrous web, 
 And when it shineth sometimes, we shall know 
 That memory is possession." 
 
 Jean Ingelow 
 
 With heads bowed down in sorrow, with hearts chastened by 
 our loss of those Companions we so loved and honored, a long ami 
 most highly honorable roll of devoted exponents of our Capitular 
 Rite, we lay a branch of acacia upon the altar, in promise that, in 
 so far as in us lies, we will keep their memories green, the record 
 of their service as bright and untarnished as the scintillating 
 radiance of their lives. 
 
 36 
 
May we in turn so live that when 
 
 '' The Angel of the t)arker Drink 
 At last shall find us by the river brink, 
 And offering his Cup, invite our souls 
 Forth to our Lips to quaff we shall not shrink ! " 
 
 ( Omar Khayyam^ Edward Fitzgerald's 4th ed.) 
 
 As we labor in the quarries to form and polish the ashlars of 
 our characters to fit them for the Temple walls, we rejoice in our 
 hearts as we see the magnificence of the edifice unfold, and realize 
 anew the world-embracing attractiveness, the soul-compelling 
 power of our ancient Order through so many centuries. We dimly 
 see the " increasing purpose of the ages," and that 
 
 " God's plans, like lilies, pure and white, unfold ; 
 We must not tear the close-shut leaves apart ; 
 Time will reveal the calyxes of gold." 
 
 When our fathers, trusting to God alone, 
 
 " Our Father's God, from out whose hand 
 The centuries fall like grains of sand," 
 
 when they followed through wild storm and dreadful darkness the 
 dim star of freedom across the unknown seas to a new land, it 
 was to light on their altars the fires of Ancient Masonry. May 
 we preserve unsullied and transmit unimpaired the sacred , heritage 
 of this trust, that has descended in its original integrity to us 
 through the centuries, and keep the faith of our fathers even as 
 our Companions so kept and cherished it to the end I 
 
 " But still His work goes on ; with blinded eyes. 
 And blundering fingers catching in the thread, 
 We taka the web the deft, dead fingers wove — 
 And only He knows how the broken ends are wed. 
 Or how, at last, we no more idly grieve. 
 But from our very loneliness begin to weave." 
 
 Geo. Wbrster 
 
 We of to-day have no crowns of martyrdom to lay on silent 
 forms, no wreaths of victory with which to bedeck those who con- 
 quer their unseen foes ; the Scarlet Banner of the Chapter is never 
 seen in the magnificence of procession or leading the glories of a 
 triumph, but we may each of us gain inspiration, courage and 
 high resolve from the stories of the devotion of those we mourn, 
 
 37 
 
to meet the wearing trials and temptations of our daily lives, to 
 carve as with the engraver's chisel rare flowers of self-sacrifice, 
 self-forgetfulness and self-effacement in detail of exquisite beauty 
 on the hard surface of doubt and disbelief. 
 
 Thus invoking the gentle and benign spirit of true Masonry, 
 may we not hope 
 
 " That when the daylight trembles into shade 
 And falls the silence of mortality, 
 And all is done, we shall not be afraid, 
 But pass from light to light, from earth's dull gleam 
 Into the very heart and heaven of our dream." 
 
 Reply to the Toast ** Toleration '' at the 
 
 Feast of the Paschal Lamb, Maundy Thursday, 
 March 24, I9I0 
 
 In Aurora Grata Cathedral, Brooklyn, N. Y. Before Aurora Grata 
 Chapter of Rose Croix Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite 
 
 Most Wise Master, Illustrious Princes and Brethren : — 
 
 " Into my Father's room, and through the courts 
 Below, forever seeking, I will pass. 
 To brush the skirts of Inspiration 
 And touch the sleeves of Memory. 
 O great and gracious Father, hear and condescend 
 To guard, to cherish, to enlighten me ! 
 
 Confucius {The Prayer of the Emperor Ching.) 
 
 This is not, as might be supposed, a prayer of this twentieth 
 century, but from the ancient writings of Confucius, of China, who 
 died 470 years before Christ. It thus brings vividly before us the 
 universal kinship of the gentle, the devout and the God-fearing, 
 in all ages and lands. How much more then shall we, who arc 
 bound by all the vows of our great Order to the exercise of Char- 
 ity and Fraternity, practise the virtue of toleration, which means, 
 in its derivation from the Latin, " to bear with," and is the hand- 
 maid of Love and the sister of Charity. One of the glories 
 radiating brightness through alj the courts and cloisters of the 
 Great Temple of our faith is, that they who pass acceptably the 
 
 38 
 
jiuarded outer gates leave intolerance forever behind them. In 
 the gardens of Masonry, where the flowers of self-sacrifice, of love 
 for one's brothers, and of infinite charity and forbearance bloom 
 in such rare perfection, watered by the grateful tears of the widow 
 and orphan, there is no place for such noxious weeds. 
 
 " Nevermore, who have seen summits, will I grovel on the plain, 
 For, in sublimated moments, by th' Eternal swept along, 
 I have heard the heart of silence beating suffocate with song," 
 
 C. E. W. S. 
 
 Under the inspiration of the immortal truths of God represented 
 by the wonderful, most beautiful and thousand-year-old symbolism 
 of our Order may we not say : 
 
 '' May every soul that touches mine — 
 Be it the slightest contact — get therefrom some good, 
 Some little grace, one kindly thought, 
 One inspiration yet unfelt, one bit of courage 
 For the darkening sky, one gleam of faith 
 To brave the thickening ills of life. 
 
 One glimpse of brighter skies beyond the gathering mists. 
 To make this life worth while, 
 And heaven a surer heritage." 
 
 Selected. 
 
 The story of the Crusades abounds in illustrations of knightly 
 deeds of heroism and self-sacrifice, of courtesy and forbearance to 
 a fallen foe, of lofty toleration for other creeds and faiths, that il- 
 lumine as with jewels of surpassing brightness the dark pages of 
 their history. 
 
 The Knights of the Hospital of St. John, who fought at Galilee 
 against overwhelming force until three only out of five hundred 
 lemained, they who defended Ptolemais until not a single knight 
 cither of St. John or of the Temple survived the sack of the city, 
 rising in splendid despairing revolt after surrender and taking a 
 fearful vengeance as they died for unforgivable insult, they were 
 men, who sang from their hearts the ancient Latin hymn, the 
 Song of Peace in Victory : 
 
 '* Forward the royal banners fly. 
 The sacred cross shines out on high, 
 Where man's Creator stooped to die 
 In human flesh, to draw man nigh." 
 
 3d 
 
And to go back to the dim beginnings of recorded history, while 
 the Temple of Solomon was still an unsubstantial dream in the 
 minds of men, we find Homer saying : — 
 
 " By mutual confidence and mutual aid 
 Great deeds are done and great discoveries made ; 
 The wise new prudence from the wise acquire, 
 And one brave hero fans another's fire." 
 
 Homer (from "Iliad.") 
 
 It is not a far cry from this most tolerant expression to the 
 tender and divine words of Jesus, the Crucified One, who saith : — 
 
 "A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one 
 another ; even as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." 
 
 St. John, xiii. 34. 
 
 As the trembling neophyte advances from altar to altar, slowly 
 acquiring knowledge with humbleness and contriteness of heart ; 
 as he laboriously works in the quarries and shapes and polishes 
 the ashlar of his character to fit it for the Temple wall, as under 
 the Royal Arch of Truth he finds the peace that passeth under- 
 standing, and in the ranks of perfect knighthood vows himself to 
 the service of humanity, is he not at every step enjoined to exem- 
 plify in his daily home and business life the eternal principles of 
 God, of Charity, Fraternity, Obedience to His laws and reverence 
 for His G^reat and Holy Name ? Herein Masonry makes practical 
 the teachings of God, and makes them flower in the souls of men 
 in deeds of kindness and pure beneficence. 
 
 As a modern poet, Maeterlinck, has said : — 
 
 " Let us continue, in spite of all, to act, to love and to hope as 
 though we had to do with an ideal humanity. 
 This ideal is only a vaster reality than that which we behold." 
 
 Mceterlinck (" Life and Flowers.") 
 
 As we approach the sunset of life we see the glories of eternity 
 illumine the sombre darkness of the cloud that ever obscures our 
 view of the Country of Rest, where the Temple of Eternal Peace 
 rises resplendent in the gardens of Immortality, where there are 
 no divisions of age or sex, or race or color ; only a whiteness of 
 soul rivalling the virgin purity of the mystic keystone. Let us 
 always remember that 
 
 40 
 
" The limit of life is brief ; 
 'Tis the red in the red-rose leaf ; 
 'Tis the gold in the sunset sky ; 
 'Tis the flight of a bird on high. 
 Yet we may fill the space 
 With such an infinite grace 
 That the red will vein all time, 
 The gold through the ages shine, 
 And the bird fly swift and straight 
 To the lilies of God's own gate." 
 
 Marie B. Williams, 
 
 As Masonry ever uplifts and encourages the soul of man, and a 
 Brother Knight is ever at one's elbow to admonish, support and 
 restrain, we who love our Ancient Order may well believe that 
 the world is better for its existence and is brought by it nearer 
 the realization of the dream, 
 
 " If all that hate would love us, and all our loves were true, 
 The stars that swing above us would brighten in the blue ; 
 If cruel words were kisses, and every scowl a smile, 
 A better world than this is would hardly be worth while." 
 
 To you, brothers of my soul, the followers of the Cross of 
 Peace, ever fighting in the marts of trade the battles of life, with 
 hearts full of love for home and country, may we say, in the name 
 of our sublime and ancient Craft : — 
 
 " Within your deep and steady eyes I see 
 The mighty meanings of the ages gone, 
 The glory of the faith that is to be ; 
 
 And far along the avenues of dawn 
 Your works shall rear their lofty Trinity 
 
 Till from the final Truth the veil is drawn ! " 
 
 Richard Lew Dawson. 
 
 Address Before St» PauFs Royal Arch Chapter, 
 
 Masonic Temple, Boston, Patriot^s Day, 
 
 April 19, \9\0 
 
 Most Excellent High Priest Farrington and Companions of St. 
 
 Paul 
 
 1 bring you the greetings of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of 
 Massachusetts, that most ancient, honorable and conservative body 
 
 41 
 
in Masonry that first gave you life and started you. on your pros- 
 perous and promising career nearly a century ago. 
 
 Thanks to the unselfish and self-sacrificing efforts of such Grand 
 High Priests as Ellis, Hubbard, Blake and Harry Hunt, in these 
 recent years, the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Massachusetts 
 now occupies its proper place in the great Temple of Masonry. 
 The somewhat heterogeneous mass of individual Chapters in our 
 grand old Commonwealth has been welded into a united and com- 
 posite whole, animated by one common and increasing love for the 
 Capitular Rite, for its beautiful ceremonies and impressive teach- 
 ings, and by that strong bond of unity in love of home, love of 
 country and love of God that has ever so strongly characterized 
 our, ancient Craft. 
 
 As I travel over the State and visit all kinds of Chapters 1 con- 
 fess I am agreeably surprised and impressed by their enthusiasm 
 and genuine love for the Chapter, — not mere lip loyalty, but 
 coming from their very hearts. 
 
 Companions, we love the Chapter, we love the traditions and 
 ancient landmarks our fathers knew and loved, and we realize 
 that the beautiful simplicity and impressive lessons of the Mark 
 Degrees, the magnificent ceremonies of the Most Excellent, and 
 tlie sublime mysteries and teachings of the Royal Arch place the 
 Chapter upon the immortal heights of dignity and beauty. We 
 learn in the Chapter to approach near to the throne of God, to 
 l)end low the neck of pride in liumility, to make the rough and 
 rugged road smooth before the weary Brother's stumbling feeti 
 not to place obstacles before him ; to administer relief to his dis" 
 tresses and comfort his affliction, not to laugh at and humiliate 
 him; to cover his faults and follies with the broad mantle of 
 brotherly love and charity ; not to introduce politics into Masonic 
 elections nor to talk slander and gossip ; and, above all, to exem- 
 plify in our lives the great foundation principles of charity and 
 fraternity by carrying in silence and secrecy, seen only by the 
 thousand eyes of night, the joy of assistance to the helpless and 
 desolate widow and orphans, whose grateful tears sliall water the 
 tlowers of self-sacrifice and self-denial, to bloom in an eternity of 
 beauty in the gardens of the Temple of Masonry. 
 
 42 
 
" I hold that Christian grace abounds 
 Where Charity is seen ; that when 
 We climb to heaven 'tis on the rounds 
 Of love to men." 
 
 Therefore there is no place in the Chapter work for levity, 
 roughness, coarseness or humiliation of any kind, and, besides, 
 they are absolutely forbidden by the Grand Chapter. 
 
 As the passing years bring us nearer to the last veil of the 
 Sanctuary of Eternity do we not in our souls dread to present our 
 life work to the Great Overseer for inspection, not knowing that 
 the little forgotten deeds of kindness, of daily charity and forbear- 
 ance may make the stone which the builders rejected the chief 
 stone of the corner? 
 
 May I add, as President of the Massachusetts Society of the 
 Sous of the Revolution : — 
 
 Here in this Temple are sacred relics of the Revolution^ and 
 upon your walls are the pictured faces of patriots who gave their 
 lives that freedom might abide forever under the starry emblem 
 of our beloved country. The insurgent spirit of Liberty animated 
 the whole of the Colonies, and the blood of heroes flowed as freely 
 at King's Mountain, at Stony Point, at Yorktown, and at Sara- 
 toga, as at Bunker Hill or Lexington. Nor amid all the dread- 
 ful horrors of the Jersey prison ships, did any one of the thousands 
 slowly dying there forget his oath to his country that he might 
 live — whether he came from the canebrakes of Georgia, the 
 golden pines of North Carolina, the marsh lands of the Jersey 
 coast, or the rocky hillsides of green Vermont. 
 
 Through all the years before the storm of revolt burst upon the 
 long suffering Colonies Boston was the centre of unrest, her 
 Masonic lodges veritable hotbeds of discontent and increasing de- 
 sire for revolution, and, therefore, here to-day are more shrines of 
 patriotism still existing than in any other city in America. 
 
 Well may we love Boston and in prophetic fancy see our 
 nation's flag floating above the Old State House for all the cen- 
 turies to come, the proud and glorious symbol of a free and pros- 
 perous people ever seeking liberty under law. For the Boston of 
 to day, the city we treasure so tenderly and sacredly, this quaint 
 old city, so exceedingly rich in her records and memories of the 
 Colonial, Provincial and Revolutionary periods, this proud old 
 
 43 
 
city, so justly proud of her classic literary associations, this ancient 
 town, which Franklin, Revere, Warren, Knox, Hancock, Thomas, 
 Otis, and Adams so loved and honored, was once scattered over 
 seven hundred acres, now is crowded in more than twenty thou- 
 sand. She has grown from a feeble settlement to a mighty city ; 
 she has through the centuries kept the .faith, and in her sturdy 
 self-reliance been an inspiration to the whole country ; her sous 
 and daughters have helped build and preserve the nation ; she has 
 an enviable record for research and enterprise, for her gracious 
 eyes have seen the first church, first free school, first hotel, first 
 newspaper, first railroad, all take form and beginning within her 
 borders; her Common was the first public park, here were built 
 the first vessel and the first printing-press, and here uprose to 
 high heaven the devout and sincere gratitude of one of the first 
 Thanksgivings, When the veil of the last great mystery is torn 
 aside for us by the hands of the Angel of the Shadow, may it 
 please God that we may lie at rest through the ages here in the 
 city of our dream, at the feet of this, our radiant Queen of the 
 Atlantic shore, whose golden throne, high on the crowded hill, 
 faces seaward to reflect the first faint flush of dawn and be lighted 
 by the sunset's fiery glow ! As at twilight we stand on the bank 
 of the Charles we see the city we love through the poet's eyes: 
 
 " As in a dream the shadowy city lies 
 Wrapped in soft silence ; while, like jewels fair 
 Meshed in the dusky tresses of her hair, 
 A thousand lights outflash on gazing eyes 
 That note her loveliness. The brooding skies 
 Glow yet with flush of sunset fires aflare 
 On distant hilltops, while the nearer air 
 Dark on the darkling waters sinks and dies. 
 Spent for a time the tumult and the fret ; 
 The sordid aims that clamor for the prize ; 
 And lo ! above the roof of darkness set, 
 Where through the day the clouds of smoke arise, 
 Pillar of flame she shines above the night ! " 
 
 Mary E. Blake 
 
 44 
 
Address Before Keystone Royal Arch Chapter, 
 
 Foxborough, at its Fiftieth Anniversary and Ladies' 
 
 Night, June 15, 1910 
 
 Most Excellent High Priest, Ladies and Companions : — 
 
 On this the fiftieth anniversary of your Chapter we may well 
 pause for a moment to consider the meaning and the worth of our 
 beloved Institution of Ancient Craft Masonry, of which the Chap- 
 ter is the summit and Crown. 
 
 What does it mean to be a Free and Accepted Mason ? is a 
 (juestion I am often asked. I know of no better definition than 
 that given more than a hundred and twenty years ago before 
 Gen. George "Washington and his brilliant staff of war-worn 
 officers : — 
 
 " As to you, Brethren, I need not remind you that if none be 
 accepted among us but such as strive daily, thro' the Grace of 
 Heaven, to lay aside those evil passions, condemned by the Apostle, 
 then shall the Lodge be truly dominated a ' Spiritual House,' hewn 
 out of the Rock of Ages, and adorned with Jewels of unspeakable 
 Value. Then shall they be free indeed, for the great Spiritual 
 Master shall have set them free from the Turbulence of Passion, 
 the Stings of Guilt, and the Thr^dom of Slavery, both of Body 
 and Mind." 
 
 That to-day the immortal truths of God as interpreted and 
 taught before the holy altars of our faith are listened to in the 
 same loving, appreciative spirit of our fathers a century before 
 is because we have preserved the ancient landmarks unaltered, 
 unchanged and unimpaired ; because the spirit of God breathes 
 through our works and in our lessons, as in solemn devotion we 
 expound the law, that Obedience to His laws and reverence for His 
 Great and Holy Name are the great foundation principles of our 
 Capitular Rite. 
 
 " I hold that Christian grace abounds 
 Where Charity is seen ; that when 
 
 ^ We climb to heaven 'tis on the rounds 
 Of love to men." 
 
 Jean Ingelow- 
 
 What does the Chapter mean to us ? Is it not true that the 
 degrees of the Chapter are among the most effective, in Masonry 
 
 45 
 
in the beauty- of their work, the splendor of their frames, the rich- 
 ness of thtir synjbols and the earnestness of their lessons ? I 
 believe the day has come when it is becoming recognized that the 
 beautiful simplicity and impressive lessons of the Mark Degree, 
 the magnificent ceremonies of the Most Excellent, and the sublime 
 mysteries and teachings of the Royal Arch all combine to place 
 the Chapter upon immortal heights of dignity, beauty and heart 
 appeal that are almost unequalled. 
 
 Ancient as are the symbols of a Royal Arch Mason, the circle, 
 equilateral triangle and triple tau, that have in turn represented 
 the divine aspirations of different nations and peoples, and have 
 survived the wreck of empires and religions, we must not forget 
 their mystic meaning to us. It is not enough to wear the white 
 keystone, that beautiful symbol of man's character, as it is wrought 
 by patient labor with mallet and chisel into resemblance to Divine 
 Perfection ; we must in daily life endeavor to make our lives as 
 white and clean as its virgin purity. 
 
 •' The years of man are the looms of God 
 Let down from the place of the Sun, 
 
 Wherein we are weaving ever, till the mystic web is done ; 
 Weaving blindly but weaving surely, each for himself his fate, 
 We may not see how the right side looks, we can only weave 
 
 and wait. 
 But, looking above for the Pattern, no weaver hath need to fear. 
 Only let him look straight into heaven : the perfect pattern is 
 
 there." 
 
 Margaret Lang. 
 
 If we shall ever forget that Masonry is built upon God's truths ; 
 if we shall ever cease to invoke in all our Masonic meetings the 
 sacred name of God as Father Omniscient, Omnipotent and Omni- 
 present ; if we shall fail to exemplify His teachings for purity in 
 our own daily lives ; if we permit undue levity and fail to preserve 
 the impressiveness of the lessons taught that so appeal to the heart 
 and mind of the neophyte who enters our portals; if we shall fail 
 to guard well the outer gates of the Temple of Freemasonry and 
 shall permit the man of evil life to remain scoffing before our 
 altars, then shall our beautiful Temple become ruined and for- 
 saken, the winds of desolation sweeping unrestrained through the 
 great nave and arches of its deserted halls, its broken columns, 
 
 46 
 
lying prone, half buried in the sands of oblivion, alone remaining 
 to attest the glories of its former magnificence. 
 
 To-day the problems that confront us differ in many ways from 
 those our fathers faced, but with high courage and dauntless spirit 
 we should turn toward the rising sun of promise, and as we humble 
 our hearts in contriteness before our altars believe that Royal 
 .Arch Masons through centuries to come will maintain secrecy, 
 practise charity, and guard well the outer gates. 
 
 " Say not the struggle naught availeth, 
 The labor and the wounds are vain, 
 The enemy faints not, nor faileth, 
 
 And as things have been they remain. 
 
 " For while the tired waves, vainly breaking, 
 Seem here no painful inch to gain, 
 Far back, through creeks and inlets making, 
 Comes silent, flooding in, the main. 
 
 " And not through Eastern windows only, 
 When daylight comes, comes in the light. 
 In front the sun climbs slow — how slowly — 
 But westward, look, the land is bright." 
 
 Arthur H. Clough. 
 
 When at last we pass under the Royal Arch of Truth and turn, 
 for a last look on earth, to the Scarlet Banner of Promise floating 
 so proudly in the free air of heaven above the glorious Temple of 
 our faith, may we not wish, vainly and impotently, that we had 
 kept the faith, but rather calmly " wrap the draperies of our couch 
 about us and lie down to pleasant dreams," because we have re- 
 ceived into our hearts, and in so far as frail mortality permitted, 
 obeyed the sublime and immortal teachings of God for right liv- 
 ing, that we have received in the Chapter, here before the Ark of 
 the Covenant, at the feet of the cherubim of the Lord? And 
 may the ineffable glory of the "name that no man knoweth " 
 bring peace to our troubled souls, in the infinite compassion of the 
 divine mercy of Him " whose path the whirlwind is, whose breath 
 the storm ! " 
 
 47 
 
Grand High Priest^s Address 
 
 Boston, December 12, 1911. 
 To the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Massachusetts : — 
 
 At the close of a second year of service I greet you in con- 
 gratulation upon the prosperous and harmonious conditions that 
 encompass our beautiful Capitular Rite here in Massachusetts. 
 As one drifting by some fair isle of Greece over the blue waters 
 of the Mediterranean sees through the boat's clear bottom of glass 
 unexpected vistas of beauty, caves and caverns of delight, chang- 
 ing seascapes of marine plants and life most wonderful and en- 
 trancing, so, as I have journeyed over the Commonwealth, visiting 
 Chapters in all sections, from the mountains to the sea, I, too, 
 have seen unexpected and hitherto unknown beauties of vista in 
 Masonry. As I have met the Companions within their own 
 Chapter halls, have seen their treasured portraits and mementos 
 on the walls, have listened to the stories of history and tradition, 
 the tales of deeds of self-sacrifice and generous emulation, the 
 epics of the glories of the Past that cluster around their ancient 
 halls ; as I have sat, side by side, with these devoted upholders of 
 our Scarlet Banner of Zeal, I, too, have seen our great institution 
 from new view points, and have seen rare flowers growing in the 
 hearts of men. I have found everywhere an abiding love for the 
 Chapter, an appreciation of its charms and beauties, and a chival- 
 ric emulation in the practice of true fraternity that have strength- 
 ened my own love for Ancient Craft Masonry, and given me 
 larger faith in its future. 
 
 The numerical record for the year is as follows : — 
 
 Number of members 1910, 22,053 
 " '< " 1911, 22,629 
 Net gain, 576 
 
 1 
 
As the Chapters have relegated to oblivion the crude and un- 
 worthy horse-play methods of former days, they are preceptibly 
 gaining in dignity, in influence, and in appeal to the better elements 
 in the community. Whatever roughness still exists in Chapter 
 work in Massachusetts is kept secret and not flaunted, for every 
 High Priest knows that, if permitted, it will surely lead to the re- 
 call of the Charter of the Chapter. Several Chapters, comprising 
 practically all those at fault, have advised me of the entire elimi- 
 nation of objectionable practices. 
 
 As I have passed over the threshold of Chapter after Chapter 
 everywhere I have found the emblem of mourning for some loved 
 Companion who had passed into the shadows that lie beyond the 
 Royal Arch. One member of the Grand Chapter has been called 
 from us this year, and the toll of Companions summoned has been 
 heavy, 393 having died, of whom 23 were Past High Priests. 
 
 On December 7, only five days ago. Rev. Dr. A. St. John 
 Chambre, of Lowell, a Past Deputy Grand High Priest of this 
 Grand Chapter, was called from earthly labors at the age of 
 seventy-one. 
 
 One of the foremost Episcopal clergymen in New England, 
 Dr. Chambre had filled his long life to the brim with activities 
 for the public welfare in the several communities in which he 
 had lived, and ever raised his eloquent voice in their behalf. 
 
 The senior living Past High Priest of Mt. Zion Royal Arch 
 Chapter, of Stoughton, he served as Deputy Grand High Priest 
 of this Grand Chapter in 1873 ; was High Priest of Miller Royal 
 Arch Chapter, of Franklin, in the years 1874, 1875, 1876, 1877 
 and 1878, He had also served as Grand Chaplain of the Grand 
 Lodge of Masons of Massachusetts, and as Grand Prelate of the 
 Grand Commandery of Knights Templars of Massachusetts and 
 Rhode Island. 
 
 The story of his life deserves extended notice at our hands, for, 
 a man of unblemished character and of wide influence in the Com- 
 monwealth, he was devoted to Masonry, and especially to our 
 beautiful Capitular Rite. 
 
 Companions, let us take to our hearts the lesson taught by his 
 gentle life, and gain renewed strength, courage, and abiding faith' 
 for the battles of the future. 
 
As we look in vain for a friendly face that has gone, listen for 
 the sound of a dearly loved voice that is still, may we not say in 
 our hearts to these Companions : — 
 
 '* Ah ! but we'll keep thy grave green with love's fountains. 
 And close in our hearts a grave greener for thee, 
 With a grief that shall last, iriend, as long as the mountains, 
 
 As deep and unchanged as the sob of the sea. 
 The heart-place left vacant shall never, oh never, 
 
 By another be claimed, by another be filled. 
 Until we, too, lie down in thy calm sleep forever. 
 And our pulses, like thine, friend, forever are stilled." 
 
 Daniel 0' Connell. 
 
 One name among the long list of the dead calls for especial notice 
 in this place and on this occasion. Gen. Samuel C. Lawrence, a 
 Past High Priest of Mystic Royal Arch Chapter of Medford, and 
 District Deputy Grand High Priest for the 8th Capitular District 
 for the years 1878-79, died Sept. 24 full of years and honors. As 
 Grand Master of Masons for Massachusetts, Grand Commander of 
 the Grand Commandery of Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and 
 until he resigned on account of health, Most Puissant Grand 
 Commander of the Supreme Council of Sovereign Grand Inspect- 
 ors General of the Thirty-third Degree, Ancient and Accepted 
 Scottish Rite, for the Northern Jurisdiction, he had ever given 
 generously of strength and means to Masonry and was the fore- 
 most and most impressive figure in the institution in Massachu- 
 setts. By his will, in addition to other numerous and large gifts to 
 Masonic charities and institutions, he gave $5,000 to the Charity 
 Fund of his own Chapter, Mystic of Medford. 
 
 Companions, as we bend low our heads in sorrow and strike the 
 sombre chords of music in memory of those we loved, may we not 
 also especially recall the proud and glorious record of this our 
 friend, who was a brave and gallant soldier, a wise financier, a 
 scholarly man of affairs and leader of men, generous in both large 
 and small matters, an illustrious Mason who exemplified its teach- 
 ings, a true lover of mankind. 
 
DECISIONS 
 
 To Wareham Royal Arch Chapter of Wareham : — 
 
 Ruled: That under the law it is necessary to install every officer 
 on re-election. 
 
 To Royal Arch Chapter of the Tabernacle, Maiden, who were 
 requested by Cambridge Royal Arch Chapter to give release of 
 jurisdiction over a resident of Everett, a dispensation having pre- 
 viously issued to form a new Chapter at Everett : — 
 
 Ruled: That the jurisdiction of Royal Arch Chapter of the 
 Tabernacle over Everett was suspended by the granting of a dis- 
 pensation to form a new Chapter in Everett, such suspension of 
 jurisdiction to become permanent when and if Charter issues. 
 
 To Companion N. J. Deering of Harmony Royal Arch Chapter 
 of East Bridgewater asking construction of Article XVI of Grand 
 Constitution : — 
 
 " No candidate whose application may be rejected in any 
 Chapter under this Jurisdiction shall again be proposed- 
 in the same Chapter within six months after such rejec- 
 tion, nor in any other Chapter other than that in which 
 he was rejected within five years without a recommenda- 
 tion from nine members of said Chapter, of whom High 
 Priest, King and Scribe shall be three and the consent 
 of the Chapter." 
 
 Ruled: That a rejected candidate could not be again proposed 
 in the same Chapter within six months after such rejection " under 
 any circumstances. '*' 
 
 To Excellent John H. Branigan, High Priest of St. Elmo 
 Royal Arch Chapter of Whitinsville, requesting an opinion as to 
 eligibility of a Mason who had lost his right hand at the wrist, 
 using an artificial hand ; — 
 
 Reply : That the Digest of Capitular Law adopted by the Grand'' 
 Royal Arch Chapter of Massachusetts, Dec. 9, ,1902, reads as 
 follows : — 
 
 " No Chapter under this Jurisdiction shall confer the 
 Chapter degrees upon any Mason whose physical defects- 
 are such as to prevent him from receiving and imparting, 
 the ceremonies of the several degrees," 
 
Ruled: That under the above direct limitation of power no 
 Chapter can lawfully confer the degrees upon a Mason who has lost 
 his hand at the wrist, even though he may use an artificial hand. 
 
 DISPENSATIONS 
 
 I have used the authority specially given by law and in a very 
 few special cases have granted dispensations to receive and act 
 upon an application at same meeting, as for example where a candi- 
 date born in the town where Chapter is located lived there to 
 maturity, a member of the local Blue Lodge, in high standing in 
 the community and well known, was at home on a brief furlough 
 from government employment in the Philippines and wished to 
 join the Chapter in his home town. The printed notice of the 
 meeting carries the fact of the dispensation to every member. 
 
 All requests for dispensations that the candidate might be 
 hurried through to the Commandery, etc. have been refused. 
 
 NEW CHAPTERS 
 
 Two dispensations have been granted to form new Chapters : 
 on February 22, to form Bethsaida Royal Arch Chapter, at 
 Everett, and on March 7, to form Rabboni Royal Arch Chapter, 
 at North Attleborough. Both of those Chapters start life under 
 the most favorable auspices, the demand being unmistakable. A 
 dispensation for a new Chapter at Andover was refused. One 
 Chapter, Ipswich Royal Arch Chapter, of Ipswich, was duly con- 
 stituted in ancient form and ceremony on October 1 6, a Special 
 Convocation of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter being called for 
 that purpose. 
 
 OTHER DISPENSATIONS 
 
 March 21 To Mt. Horeb Royal Arch Chapter, of Lowell, to 
 attend divine service on Easter Sunday, at St. John's 
 Episcopal Church, with other Masonic bodies, in com- 
 memoration of " the laying of the corner-stone of 
 that church fifty years ago." 
 
 August 29 To Holten Royal Arch Chapter, of Danvers, to hold 
 election for Treasurer, to fill vacancy caused by death. 
 
 5 
 
TO HOLD EXEMPLIFICATIONS 
 
 14th Capitular District 
 
 13th Capitular District 
 
 4th Capitular District 
 
 1st Capitular District 
 
 3d Capitular District 
 
 To R.-. E.-. Walter L. Collins, District 
 Deputy Grand High Priest, at Milford, 
 February 22. 
 
 To R.-. E.-. Arthur Twitchell, District 
 Deputy Grand High Priest, at Xatick, 
 February 22. 
 
 To R.'. E.-. Charles D. Perkins, District 
 Deputy Grand High Priest, at Worces- 
 ter, March 3. 
 
 To R.'. E.-. James S. Blake, District 
 Deputy Grand High Priest, at Boston, 
 March 24. 
 
 To R.-. E.-. Lewis M. Witherell, Dis- 
 trict Deputy Grand High Priest, at 
 Taunton, April 1. 
 12th Capitular District To R.*. E.-. Charles B. Marchant, Dis- 
 trict Deputy Grand High Priest, at 
 Hyannis, April 12. 
 
 To R.-. E.-. Edward J. Reece, District 
 Deputy Grand High Priest, at Green- 
 field, April 14. 
 
 To R.'. E.'. Edwin L. Davis, District 
 Deputy Grand High Priest, at Spring- 
 field, April 21. 
 
 To R.-. E.-. Eben H. Cain, District 
 Deputy Grand High Priest, at Brock- 
 ton, May 5. 
 
 To R.-. E.-. George E. Collins, District 
 Deputy Grand High Priest, at Haver- 
 hill, September 20. 
 11th Capitular District To R.*. E.-. Charles W. Godfrey, Dis- 
 trict Deputy Grand High Priest, at 
 Fitchburg, November 22. 
 
 the 3d, 4th, 5th, 6th, 12th, 13th and 14th 
 
 6th Capitular District 
 
 5th Capitular District 
 
 7th Capitular District 
 
 9th Capitular District 
 
 I attended those in 
 Districts. 
 
 VISITATIONS 
 
 During the year, accepting all possible invitations, I have, as 
 Grand High Priest, made twenty-seven visitations to Chapters in 
 formal session, have presided over four regular and one special 
 Grand Chapter Convocations, and have also attended on eight 
 
other occasions — in all forty, making for the two years ninety- 
 nine. These include visits to eleven home Chapters of Grand 
 officers during the year. During the two years' service I have 
 visited fifty out of the eighty-one Chapters in the Commonwealth, 
 but these involved making sixty-five visits to Chapters. On 
 account of a hurried trip to California in May, caused by the 
 death of a relative, R.*. E.*. Jesse E. Ames, Deputy Grand High 
 Priest, took my place at the exemplification at Brockton and a 
 visitation at St. Elmo Chapter at Whitinsville. I desire to ex- 
 press my cordial appreciation of the services of R.'. E.*. Com- 
 panion Ames. Heavily burdened by two severe auto accidents 
 during the year, each time breaking a leg, he is entitled to your 
 warmest sympathy. 
 
 LIST OF VISITATIONS 
 
 Dec. 27, 1910 Grand Lodge of Masons of Massachusetts, Feast 
 of St. John, at Boston. 
 
 M.-. W.-. Dana J. Flanders, Grand Master. 
 
 Jan. 5, 1911 Sutton Royal Arch Chapter, Lynn. 
 Forrest M. Adams, High Priest. 
 
 Jan. 8, 1911 Washington Royal Arch Chapter, of Salem. 
 Charles Goodwin, High Priest. 
 Special Convocation to attend church, part of 
 celebration of 100th anniversary of constitution 
 of Chapter. 
 
 Jan. 9, 1911 Washington Royal Arch Chapter, Salem. Home 
 Chapter of Charles Goodwin, Grand Principal So- 
 journer and High Priest. Continuation of 100th 
 anniversary celebration, banquet. Attended by 
 M.'. W.-. Dana J. Flanders, Grand Master of 
 Masons, and R.-. E.-. J. Albert Blake, Grand 
 Commander. 
 
 Jan. 19, 1911 Waltham Royal Arch Chapter, Waltham. 
 Charles J. Shepard, High Priest. 
 Accepted Honorary Membership. Installed offi- 
 cers with assistance of M.*. E.'. Harry Hunt, 
 Past Grand High Priest. 
 
 Jan. 20, 1911 Boston Commandery, Knights Templar. Jesse 
 E. Ames, Eminent Commander. Ladies' Night. 
 
 Jan. 27, 1911. De Molay Commandery, Knights Templar. 
 Edwin F. Woodbury, Eminent Commander. 
 Ladies' Night. 
 
Feb. 7, 1911 Grand Royal Arch Chapter of New York. An- 
 nual session. 
 
 M.-. E.-. Jay B. Kline, Grand High Priest. 
 Attended by R.*. E.*. Jesse E. Ames, Deputy 
 Grand High. Priest. 
 
 Feb. 16, 1911 Mt. Vernon Royal Arch Chapter, Roxbury. 
 John W. Bosworth, High Priest. 
 E.-. Charles G. Bird as acting G.'. C*. of H.\ 
 
 Feb. 22, 1911 Exemplification of degree work at Milford with 
 Mt. Lebanon Royal Arch Chapter. 
 
 C. A. Lilley, High Priest. 
 The Home Chapter of R.-. E.-. Walter L. Col- 
 lins, District Deputy Grand High Priest. 
 
 Feb. 22, 1911 Exemplification of degree work at Natick with 
 Parker Royal Arch Chapter. 
 
 William Todd, High Priest. 
 The Home Chapter of R.*. E.-. Arthur Twitchell, 
 District Deputy Grand High. Priest of the 13th 
 Capitular District. E.*. John A. L. Von Betzen 
 and F. L. Blanchard, acting G.-. C*. of H.-.; E.*. 
 L. L. Green, Grand Lecturer. 
 
 Mar. 3, 1911 Exemplification at Worcester in charge of R.". 
 E.*. Charles D. Perkins, District Deputy Grand 
 High Priest of 4th District, with Worcester 
 Royal Arch Chapter. 
 
 Fred W. Leavitt, High Priest. 
 The Home Chapter of E.-. Charles W. Delano, 
 Grand Lecturer. E.*. A. E. Adams, G.*. S.*., 
 acting G.'. C.'. of H.-. 
 
 Mar. 3, 1911 St. Matthew's Royal Arch Chapter, South Boston. 
 Charles M. Hamburger, High Priest. 
 
 Mar. 14, 1911 Bancroft Royal Arch Chapter, Ayer. 
 John P. Lentz, High Priest. 
 E.-. E. O. Burton, G.-. R.-. A.-. C.-., as G.-. C.-. 
 of H.-. 
 
 Mar. 16, 1911 Somerville Royal Arch Chapter, Somerville. 
 R. Stanley Smith, High Priest. 
 Home Chapter of R.-. E.-. David T. Montague, 
 District Deputy Grand High Priest of 15th 
 District. E.". Wilfred D. Smith, acting G.-. C.-. 
 of H.-. 
 
Mar. 18, 1911 Past High Priests' Association 1st Capitular 
 District, Boston. 
 
 R.*. E.*. Edwin S. Crandon, President. 
 
 Mar. 20, 1911 Royal Arch Chapter of the Tabernacle, Maiden. 
 Wm. Anderson, High Priest, 25th anniver- 
 sary. 
 
 Mar. 22, 1911 Evening Star Royal Arch Chapter, Westfield. 
 John E. Boyle, High Priest. 
 E.-. R. W. Browning, acting G.-. C*. of H.-. 
 
 Mar. 24, 1911 Cambridge Council Royal and Select Masters, 
 Cambridge, Constitution of new Council by 
 M.*. I.'. Everett C. Benton, Grand Master. 
 
 Mar. 31, 1911 Hebron Royal Arch Chapter, Norwood. 
 W. U. Lowden, High Priest. 
 E.-. L. B. Friswold, acting G.*. C.-. of H.*. 
 
 April 1, 1911 Exemplification of degree w^ork at Taunton with 
 St. Mark's Royal Arch Chapter. 
 
 Enos D. Williams, High Priest. 
 R.-. E.-. Lewis M. Witherell, District Deputy 
 Grand High Priest of 3d Capitular District ; E.*. 
 Thomas Jackson, acting G.'. C*. of H.*.; E.*. L. 
 L. Green, Grand Lecturer. 
 
 April 5, 1911 Corinthian Royal Arch Chapter, Adams. 
 Thomas D. Brown, High Priest. 
 Presented seven Past High Priest and one Princi- 
 pal Sojourner jewels. E.'. J. P. Barnes, acting 
 G.-. C.-. of H.-. 
 
 April 14, 1911 Exemplification of degree work at Greenfield, 
 with Franklin Royal Arch Chapter. 
 Charles E. Winslow, High Priest. 
 
 The Home Chapter of R.-. E.*. Edward J. Reece, 
 District Deputy Grand High Priest of 6th Dis- 
 trict. E.-. J. E. Boyle, acting G.-. C*. of H.-. ; 
 E.*. Charles W. Delano, Grand Lecturer. 
 
 April 18, 1911 St. Paul's Royal Arch Chapter, Boston. 
 E. H. Kavanagh, High Priest. 
 Reception of Travelling Triangle. Home Chap- 
 ter of R.*. E.'. James S. Blake, District Deputy 
 Grand High Priest of l^st District. E. Charles 
 Goodwin, Grand Principal Sojourner, acting G.*. 
 C.-. of H.-. 
 
April 21, 1911 Exemplification of degree work at Springfield 
 under charge of R.-. E.-. Edwin L. Davis, District 
 Deputy Grand High Priest of 5th District, with 
 Morning Star Royal Arch Chapter. 
 
 Charles E. Hamilton, High Priest. 
 
 E.*. Charles W. Delano, Grand Lecturer ; E.*. I. 
 W. Davis, Grand Master 3d Veil, acting G.-. C.'. 
 of H.-. 
 
 April 24, 1911 Fall River Royal Arch Chapter, Fall River. 
 Frank B. Hinckley, High Priest. 
 E.-. Wm. Martiu, acting G.*. C.-. of H.-. 
 June 7, 1911 Waverly Royal Arch Chapter, Melrose. 
 Willis O. Chapman, High Priest. 
 Home Chapter of R.*. E.-. William Wooldridge, 
 District Deputy Grand High Priest of 8th Capit- 
 ular District. 
 June 19, 1911 Orient Royal Arch Chapter, Hyannis. 
 Walter B. Chase, High Priest. 
 Home Chapter of R.*. E.*. Charles B. Marchant, 
 District Deputy Grand High Priest of 12th 
 Capitular District. 
 June 28, 1911 Joseph Warren Royal Arch Chapter, Province- 
 town. 
 
 Edwin W. Smith, High Priest. 
 July 12, 1911 Fall River Royal Arch Chapter, Fall River. 
 Frank B. Hinckley, High Priest. 
 Clam Bake (informal.) 
 Sept. 19, 1911 Mt. Horeb Royal Arch Chapter, Lowell. 
 Horace S. Bacon, High Priest. 
 Accompanied by M.*. L*. Everett C. Benton, 
 Grand Master of Grand Council. 
 
 Sept. 20, 1911 Unity Royal Arch Chapter, Chicopee Falls. 
 William A. Lorimer, High Priest. 
 Home Chapter of R.*. E.-. Edwin L. Davis, Dis- 
 trict Deputy Grand High Priest of 5th District. 
 E.'. T. H. Baldwin, acting C.-. of H.-. 
 
 Oct. 12, 1911. Norfolk Royal Arch Chapter, Hyde Park. 
 John W. Kennington, High Priest. 
 Installed officers with assistance of R.*. E.*. Ed- 
 win S.,Crandon, Past Deputy Grand High Priest ; 
 R.\ E. . Samuel Crowell, Past Deputy Grand 
 High Priest; and E.*. Frank F. Cook. 
 
 10 
 
Oct. 13, 1911. Cambridge Royal Arch Chapter, Cambridge. 
 Charles R. MacLean, High Priest. 
 Presentation of flag to Chapter by its Past High 
 Priests. 
 Oct. 16, 1911 Constitution of Ipswich Royal Arch Chapter, 
 Ipswich. Installed officers with assistance of 
 R.'. E.'. Charles H. Preston, District Deputy 
 Grand High Priest, 2d District ; R.-. E.-. David 
 T. Montague, District Deputy Grand High Priest, 
 15th District; and E.-. L. L. Green, Grand 
 Lecturer. 
 Dec. 1, 1911 What Cheer Lodge, F. & A. M., Providence, R. I. 
 Albert Knight, Worshipful Master. 
 E.-. E. O. Burton, Grand Royal Arch Captain, 
 acting as G.'. C*. of H.*. 
 Appended to this report are the addresses delivered at Wash- 
 ington Royal Arch Chapter, Salem, 100th anniversary; Royal 
 Arch Chapter of the Tabernacle, Maiden, 25th anniversary j 
 Constitution of Cambridge Council, Royal and Select Masters. 
 
 On February 7, at the courteous invitation of M.*. E.*. Jay B. 
 Kline, Grand High Priest of New York, R.*. E.-. Jesse E. Ames, 
 Deputy Grand High Priest, and myself attended the annual session 
 of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of New York, at 
 Albany, where we were received officially and most courteously. 
 In the afternoon we were entertained at an elaborate banquet, 
 and in the evening attended the Fraternal Union of High Priests 
 and an exemplification, everywhere being warmly welcomed as 
 representatives from Massachusetts. 
 
 GRAND OFFICERS 
 
 All the Grand officers have been most generous in service, and 
 to each and all I return my hearty thanks. To the District Depu- 
 ties I am especially obliged, for they have been warmly zealous 
 in their service to the Craft. To those who have installed the 
 officers of their Chapters ; to those who have encouraged the use 
 of the lectures ; to those who have held exemplifications ; to those 
 who have responded so quickly to my appeal in cutting down their 
 official expenses ; to those who have so worthily upheld the 
 dignity of their high place, I am very, very grateful. 
 
 Your efficient Grand Secretary, M.*. E.-. J. Oilman Waite, 
 
 11 
 
has borne the burden and the heat of a trying year of service, and 
 I gratefully acknowledge my continued indebtedness to him for 
 many personal as well as official courtesies. Owing to inter- 
 change of courtesies, the annual Report of Proceedings of the 
 Grand Council will issue by January 6, and that of the Grand 
 Chapter by January 20. 
 
 I again return my thanks to E.'. Edward P. Hatch, Grand 
 Captain of the Host, who has given such further generous service 
 to Capitular Masonry during the past year under trying conditions. 
 Also, I would acknowledge my appreciation of the several Com- 
 panions who have, upon occasion, acted as Grand Captain of the 
 Host, in the absence of E.-. Companion Hatch, owing to the illness 
 and death of his wife. 
 
 ROLL OF HONOR 
 Under the call contained in the letter to the Deputies, I have 
 received information from which has been prepared the following 
 
 ROLL OF HONOR 
 
 containing the names of those present Chapter officers who have 
 served continuously in one position for more, than 20 years. 
 
 J. W. Richardson, Tyler, Mt. Zion R. A. Chapter, Stoughton, 
 20 years of service. 
 
 (Also Tyler of Rising Star Lodge 35 years.) 
 
 A. Frederick M. Lander, Secretary, Morning Star R. A. Chap- 
 ter, Springfield, 20 years of service. 
 
 Orthello K. Merrill, Treasurer, Morning Star R. A. Chapter, 
 Springfield, 20 years of service. 
 
 Amos Lamb, Treasurer, North Star R. A. Chapter, Winchen- 
 don, 21 years of service. 
 
 (Also previously served as Treasurer 9 years, as Chaplain 6 
 years, and as R. A. C. and King 1 year each, a total of 38 
 years.) 
 
 Excellent Companion Frank H. Rundlett, Tyler, King Cyrus 
 R. A. Chapter, Newburyport, 21 years of service. 
 (High Priest 1887-89.) 
 
 Benj. P. Gilman, Secretary, Pentucket R. A. Chapter, Haver- 
 hill, 2 1 years of service. 
 
 Daniel E. Makepeace, Treasurer, King Hiram R. A. Chapter, 
 Attleboro, 21 years of service. 
 
Excellent Companion William M. Thorup, Secretary, Adoni- 
 ram R. A. Chapter, New Bedford, 21 years of service. 
 (High Priest 2 years.) 
 
 Joseph M. Pierce, Tyler, Thomas R. A. Chapter, Fitchburg, 21 
 years of service. 
 
 (Also Tyler Aurora Lodge, Charles W. Moore Lodge, Jeru- 
 salem Commandery.) 
 
 George H. Robbins, P. S., R. A. Chapter of Signet, Charlestown,. 
 22 years of service. 
 
 (Also 10 years in other offices.) 
 
 George W. S. Rollins, Tyler, Washington R. A. Chapter, 
 Salem, 23 years of service. 
 
 George H. Herrick, Secretary, King Hiram R. A. Chapter, 
 Attleboro, 23 years of service. 
 
 (Also Recorder of Commandery 14 years.) 
 
 Converse Ward, Treasurer, Union R. A. Chapter, Athol, 25 
 years of service. 
 
 Edwin C. Wheelock, Steward, St. Paul's R. A. Chapter, Boston, 
 
 25 years of service. 
 
 Joseph H. Haines, Treasurer, Sutton R. A. Chapter, Lynn, 25 
 years of service. 
 
 Excellent Companion Frederic A. Flint, Treasurer, Woburn 
 R. A. Chapter, Woburn, 25 years of service. 
 (High Priest, 1880-1.) 
 
 William L. Barber, Secretary, Woburn R. A. Chapter, Woburn, 
 
 26 years of service. 
 
 Thomas W. Spence, Tyler, Miller R. A. Chapter, Franklin, 26 
 years of service. 
 
 Adolphus R. Martin, Treasurer, Unity R. A. Chapter, Chicopee 
 Falls, 27 years of service. 
 
 Hervey S. Rawley, Treasurer, Crescent R. A. Chapter, Orange, 
 
 27 years of service. 
 
 Romanzo G. Pritchard, Tyler, Franklin R. A. Chapter, Green- 
 field, 27 years of service. 
 
 (Tyler 5 years before, also Tyler for 4 Masonic bodies.) 
 Right Excellent Henry S. Bunton, Treasurer, Norfolk R. A. 
 Chapter, Hyde Park, 28 years of service. 
 
 (Also other offices, 14 years ; Deputy Grand High Priest 
 1884; Past District Deputv Grand Master; Past Grand 
 Principal Conductor of the Work ; also Past Eminent Com- 
 mander.) 
 
 13 
 
Charles E. Irving, Tyler, Sutton R A. Chapter, Lynn, 28 
 years of service. 
 
 Frank E. Draper, Organist, Hebron R. A. Chapter, Norwood, 
 28 years of service. 
 
 Warren E. Rhodes, Tjler, Hebron R. A. Chapter, Norwood, 
 28 years of service. 
 
 Harvey H. Whitney, Treasurer, Parker R. A. Chapter, Natick, 
 28 years of service. 
 
 Junius B. Temple, Secretary, Composite R. A. Chapter, North 
 Adams, 28 years of service. 
 
 Excellent Companion Harvey O. Sparrow, C*. of H.*., Joseph 
 Warren R. A. Chapter, Provincetown, 30 years of service. 
 
 Albert H. Perry, Tyler, Houghton R. A. Chapter, Marlboro, 
 31 years of service. 
 
 George F. Pratt, Treasurer, St. Mark's Royal Arch Chapter, 
 Taunton, 31 years of service. 
 
 (Also been Treasurer of Bristol County, 37 years.) 
 
 Rev. Henry C. De Long, Chaplain, Mystic R. A. Chapter, 
 Medford, 31 years of service. 
 
 William O. Hood, Treasurer, Holton R. A. Chapter, Danvers, 
 31 years of service. 
 
 William H. Gerrish, Organist, St. Paul's R. A. Chapter, Boston, 
 31 years of service. 
 
 (Also organist Grand Lodge, 15 years ; Lafayette Lodge, 15 ; 
 Mt. Vernon Chapter, 23 ; Boston Council, 24 ; Columbian 
 Lodge, 27; Lodge of Eleusis and Aberdour, 28 each ; Zetland 
 Lodge, 30 ; Massachusetts Lodge, 31 ; Roxbury Council, 34; 
 Revere Lodge, 39 ; Washington Lodge, 43 ; also Joseph 
 Warren Commandery as organist, 22 years, then as recorder 
 to date, 21 ; also other Masonic bodies as organist to a total 
 of 57 years of service ; has attended over 5,000 Masonic 
 meetings. Grand total, 468 years.) 
 
 Rufus R. Crane, Secretary, Tyrian R. A. Chapter, Millbury, 
 34 years of service. 
 
 (Also served in other offices 3 years.) 
 
 Right Excellent George E. Stacey, C. of H., Mt. Lebanon R. 
 A. Chapter, Milford, 36 years of service. 
 
 (Served in various Chapter and Grand Chapter offices 10 
 years and as High Priest 1868-71 ; Deputy Grand High 
 Priest 1874; also Worshipful Master of Montgomery Lodge; 
 
 14 
 
District Deputy Grand Master, 6 years ; Excellent Com- 
 mander of Milford Commandery ; Prelate of Commandery, 37 
 years, etc.) 
 
 Excellent Companion E. Frank Home, Tyler, Pentucket R. A. 
 Chapter, Haverhill, 37 years of service. 
 
 John Mettzer, Tyler, Holten R. A. Chapter, Danvers, 38 years 
 of service. 
 
 Henry H. Flint, Tyler, Eureka Royal Arch Chapter, Worces- 
 ter, 38 years of service. 
 
 Charles H. Parks, Tyler, Waltham R. A. Chapter, Waltham, 
 41 years of service. 
 
 Charles S. Beatley, Secretary, Royal Arch Chapter of the She- 
 kinah, Chelsea, 41 years of service. 
 (Also 3 years in other offices.) 
 
 Charles E. Lyon, Chaplain, Royal Arch Chapter of Signet, 
 Charlestown, 42 years of service. 
 
 George B. Green, Treasurer, Mystic R. A. Chapter, Medford, 
 44 years of service. 
 
 (Also Treasurer of Mt. Hermon Lodge, 44 years ; of Melrose 
 Council, 43 years. 
 
 David D. Bowen, Principal Sojourner, Corinthian R. A. Chap- 
 ter, Adams, 46 years of service. 
 
 Theodore H. Emmons, Secretary, St. Paul's R. A. Chapter, 
 Boston, 5 1 years of service. 
 
 NOTES 
 
 Excellent Companion Isaac H. Edgett, Amity R. A. Chapter, 
 Beverly, has served 35 years in different positions, 9 as Treasurer^ 
 
 Rev. George J. Sanger was High Priest of King Solomon 
 R. A. Chapter, Warren, U.*. D.-., from May 10, 1859, to June 14, 
 1860, than to Jan. 2, 1861 ; was also Hi<jh Priest of Webster 
 R. A. Chapter, now Doric, and was also its first High Priest 
 (1867 to 1868) under Charter; also High Priest of Holten R. A. 
 Chapter, Danvers, U.'. D.*., April, 1872, to January, 1873, then 
 under Charter to 1874, and was Grand Chaplain in 1873. 
 
 Excellent Companion Henry C. Skinner served 37 years as 
 Secretary of Mt. Lebanon R. A. Chapter, of Milford, resigning in 
 1909. He had been High Priest, Worshipful Master of Mont- 
 gomery Lodge, District Deputy Grand Master, and District Deputy 
 Grand High Priest. 
 
 16 
 
Excellent Companion Sumner Bagley, Hebron R. A. Chapter, 
 Norwood, served in all positions, including High Priest, for 
 28 years to his death. 
 
 Lewis Day, Hebron E. A. Chapter, Norwood, served 26 years 
 as Treasurer to his death. 
 
 Story Willard Bridge was Tyler of King Solomon R. A. Chap- 
 ter for 24 years to 1908. 
 
 Excellent Companion Harry F. Smith, of Walden R. A. Chap- 
 ter, of Concord, has served 38 years in different offices, 10 as 
 Chaplain. 
 
 Right Excellent Frank B. Spalter, North Star R. A. Chap- 
 ter, Winchendon, has served in various offices for 20 years, in- 
 cluding 12 years as R.*. A.*. C*. 
 
 Excellent Companion Waldo C. Corey has served North Star 
 R. A. Chapter, of Winchendon, 23 years as Principal Sojourner, 
 also 6 years as High Priest, and 4 years in other positions, in all 
 33 years. 
 
 Excellent Companion George B. Stone, deceased, served North 
 Star R. A. Chapter, Winchendon, 16 years as Captain of Host, 3 
 years as High Priest, and 7 years in other positions, in all 26. 
 
 George S. Richardson has served Thomas R. A. Chapter, of 
 Fitchburg, 17 years continuously as Treasurer to date, and 8 
 years in other positions. 
 
 Excellent Companion George L. Griffin served R. A. Cha,pter 
 of Tabernacle, Maiden, as Scribe, King, and High Priest, and 
 then as Treasurer, 16 years to date, meanwhile serving as Wor- 
 shipful Master of Mt. Vernon Lodge, Thrice Illustrious Master, 
 Melrose Council, and Eminent Commander of Beauseant Com- 
 mandery. 
 
 Excellent Companion William Fisher served Mt. Sinai R. A. 
 Chapter, of Lawrence, in various offices, including High Priest, 
 14 years, then as Chaplain 10 years; meanwhile was Worshipful 
 Master of Tuscan Lodge, Thrice Illustrious Master of Lawrence 
 Council, Eminent Commander of Bethany Commandery ; also Dis- 
 trict Deputy Grand Master and District Deputy Grand High 
 Priest. 
 
 Israel Sampson Worcester served Mt. Sinai R. A. Chapter, of 
 Lawrence, in various offices 3 years, and then as Tyler 33 years 
 to 1910; was Sentinel of Bethany Commandery 33 years; mean- 
 while was Worshipful Master of Tuscan Lodge. 
 
 16 
 
Samuel Brookings served King Cyrus R. A. Chapter, of New- 
 buryport, 31 years as Secretary, resigning in 1909. 
 
 Lawrence B. Cushing served King ('yrus R. A. Chapter, of 
 Newburyport, 20 years as King, declining re-election. 
 
 The late Hon. Gorham D. Gilman, a Charter member of 
 Newton Chapter, served the Chapter as Chaplain for 38 years 
 from its institution. 
 
 Charles H. Kimball has served St. Matthew's R. A. Chapter as 
 Tyler since June, ltt92 (19 years, 6 months.) 
 
 Excellent Companion Alfred H. Hartley served Fall River 
 R. A. Chapter 7 years in various offices, including High Priest, 
 then as Treasurer 19 years, 6 months, 24 days, meanwhile being 
 District Deputy Grand High Priest. 
 
 Excellent Companion James L. Sherman served Adoniram 
 R. A. Chapter, New Bedford, 12 years in various offices, includ- 
 ing High Priest, then as Treasurer 19 years, meanwhile being 
 District Deputy Grand High Priest. 
 
 Excellent Companion A. E. Standish, of Mt. Zion R. A. Chap- 
 ter, of Stouojhton, served 33 years in various positions, including 
 
 2 years as High Priest, 11 as Principal Sojourner, 10 as Chaplain. 
 
 Excellent Companion George F. Walker, of Mt. Zion R. A. 
 Chapter, Stoughton, served 21 years as Treasurer to 1908 ; also 9 
 years in other positions, including High Priest ; also has been 
 Worshipful Master, Rising Star Lodge ; Thrice Illustrious Mas- 
 ter, Brockton Council ; Eminent Commander, Bay State Com- 
 mandery, of Brockton ; District Deputy Grand Master, 22d 
 District, 3 years ; District Deputy Grand High Priest, 3d District, 
 
 3 years ; Grand King of Grand Chapter ; Senior Grand Warden 
 of Grand Lodge. 
 
 Excellent Companion Charles H. Chase, of Northampton 
 Chapter, of Northampton, has served 20 years in various positions. 
 
 LETTER TO DEPUTIES 
 
 The following letter of instructions was sent to the Deputies, 
 and copies sent to all the Chapters to be read in session : — 
 
 To the Bight Excellent District Deputy Grand High Priests of tlie 15 
 Capitular Districts : — 
 On the threshold of a new year I congratulate you on the distinction 
 of having been selected from your Companions for service in the Grand 
 Chapter, for your evident skill, loyalty and fidelity, and your exceeding 
 love for Capitular Masonry. 
 
 17 
 
1st. Remember always that you are the direct personal representa- 
 tives of the Grand High Priest, and therefore should be formally received 
 as such, on visitations. 
 
 2d. As I wish to emphasize your appointment and its honor, I shall 
 be glad to visit the Home Chapter of each District Deputy Grand High 
 Priest at some time during the coming year. I leave the time and oc- 
 casion to you, and as this visit is to be in your special honor, this should 
 be at some time other than at your regular official visitation. Further, in 
 order to enhance the dignity of appointments to ofl&ce in the Grand Royal 
 Arch Chapter, you are authorized to state that the Grand High Priest 
 will also, upon invitation from the High Priest, visit the home Chapter of 
 any of the Grand ofl&cers, elected and appointed. 
 
 3d. Exemplifications. The following districts have already been noti- 
 fied through their Deputies that they are expected or required to hold 
 exemplifications this year. 
 
 1st (2 degrees) arranged for March 24; Boston 
 3d " " " '♦ April 1, Taunton 
 
 4th " ?• " " March 3, Worcester 
 
 7th 
 9th 
 12th 
 
 13th (3 degrees) held Feb. 22, Natick 
 
 14th " " " " " Milford 
 
 I renew the following recommendation in my Annual Report to the 
 Grand Chapter. 
 
 " I believe in the value of exemplifications. I feel quite confident 
 that Massachusptts possesses the best Grand Lecturers in the country, 
 and I find the Chapters universally ready to co-operate in holding 
 exemplifications. 
 
 "As conducted today, however, trying to work, with comment, all 
 four degrees at one sitting seems to me to involve too much strain upon 
 Chapters, audience, and Grand Lecturers. 
 
 " I have authorized the Grand Lecturers, at their discretion, to change 
 the order of procedure at any time, and work the Royal Arch Degree 
 first, to avoid that indifference and neglect that come with weariness, for 
 it is too important to be always placed last. 
 
 " But I would go further, and, upon occasion, hold an exemplification 
 each year, and work only two degrees in the evening." 
 
 In this connection the Grand High Priest believes that the new districts, 
 being smaller and more compact, will readily permit these District Grand 
 Chapters of Instruction to be alternately held at each end of the district, 
 tliereby giving opportunity for large numbers of Companions (many of 
 w^hom are future officers) to attend. 
 
 18 
 
4th. Please remember that one of the Grand Lecturers will visit any 
 Chapter at any time, for purposes of instruction, by the Chapter paying 
 his expenses and services. (At exemplifications the Grand Chapter pays 
 the Lecturer.) 
 
 Please have your Chapters take full advantage of this. I would es 
 pecially emphasize this matter. 
 
 6th. Every District Deputy Grand High Priest is expected and per- 
 sonally requested by the Grand High Priest to prepare himself to install 
 the officers of any Chapter in his district so requesting. 
 
 6th. On every official visit to the several Chapters in your districts 
 you are most earnestly requested to be attended by a suite of Grand 
 officers, Past High Priests, and members of the Councils of the Chapters 
 in your district. This I regard as important. 
 
 7th. The Grand High Priest has become firmly impressed, during his 
 visits about the Commonwealth, with the absolute necessity of sustaining 
 at all times tlie dignity of the Chapter, in order to bring out clearly the 
 sublime beauties of the work. The regulations of the Grand Chapter are 
 imperative, that none but the officers can take any part in the ceremonies 
 (except by request.) As the High Priest in each Chapter is responsible 
 for his officers, you will promptly report to the Grand High Priest any 
 violation of the special requirements as to work in the Past and Roya^ 
 Arch Degrees, that the Charter of the offending Chapter may be recalled 
 (vide Grand Chapter By-Laws, page 53, edition 1902.) 
 
 8th. Your commission reads : — 
 
 " He is also required to examine their Charters, Records^ By- 
 Laws and mode of work, and see that in all their doings they 
 conform to the ancient customs of Royal Arch Masons and 
 the rules and regulations of our Grand Chapter. He will care- 
 fully inspect their Books of Marks. 
 
 "And it is hereby enjoined upon him to make return to me of 
 his doings herein, by authority of this Commission, on or before 
 Dec. 1, 1911." 
 
 9th, On your official visitation to each Chapter in your District, ex- 
 amine with care the Books of Marks, and in your annual report to the 
 Grand High Priest specify as to each Chapter, the condition and use of 
 its Books, by answering the following questions : — 
 
 1 Whether any present members of the Chapters have been ex- 
 alted to the Royal Arch Degree whose Marks have not been 
 recorded in the Book of Marks. If any, give names and dates 
 of receiving all degrees. 
 
 2 Are the Books of Marks well kept and in good condition ? 
 
 3 Are the Marks accurately and artistically drawn and are they 
 in accordance with the traditions and dignity of the Order ? 
 
 19 
 
4 Do the Council of the Chapter understand that no candidate 
 should be exalted to the Royal Arch Degree until his Mark has 
 actually been recorded in the Book of Marks ? 
 
 5 Does an intelligible description accompany each Mark ? 
 
 10th. Please use your utmost influence to cause the Chapters to use 
 the several Lectures belonging to the Degrees, before receiving the suc- 
 ceeding degree. Two ofl&cers in each Chapter may well be designated as 
 instructors in the Lectures, and give them at every exemplification, and 
 from time to time in the Chapter, especially when thei'e are no degrees to 
 be worked. The Grand High Priest is an earnest believer in the value of 
 the Lectures, and unhesitatingly recommends their general use by the 
 Chapters. 
 
 11th. Please remember that the Grand High Priest wishes to discour- 
 age all undue[_haste and " railroading " of candidates, and therefore do not 
 forward to him any requests for dispensations, unless the need is impera- 
 tive. 
 
 12th. Your attention is called to Art. XI of the Constitution of the 
 Grand Royal Arch Chapter, as follows : — 
 
 " every Chapter of Royal Arch Masons under this Jurisdiction 
 shall be represented by its High Priest, King or Scribe, or either 
 of them, in person or by their respective proxies, at every Con- 
 vocation of the Grand Chapter. If any Chapter under this 
 Jurisdiction shall neglect to be .represented in this Grand Chapter 
 for two years in succession . . . . . . 
 
 then the said Chapter shall forfeit 
 
 its Charter, etc." 
 
 The Grand High Priest would ask each Deputy to attend to tliis and use 
 every endeavor to have every Chapter in his district represented by a 
 member of the Council, if possible, at every ConvocafAon, or by proxy to a 
 member in any event. 
 
 13th. The Grand High Priest has seen with pleasure, on his various 
 visits, many ancient Charters, and they are generally carefully preserved 
 in safes or safe deposit vaults, but there are still many in regular use at 
 Chapter meetings exposed to unnecessary hazard of loss or damage by 
 wear, accident and fire. Note article 12 of Particular Regulations pro- 
 viding for use of Duplicate Charters. 
 
 Every Chapter should by all means procure such a duplicate Charter 
 (for ordinary use) and keep the ancient and priceless original in a secure 
 place. 
 
 14tli. The Chapters are urged to procure bookcases (as so many have 
 already done) and carefully keep the valuable proceedings of the Grand 
 Chapter and other volumes for reference. Such a library will inevitably 
 attract gifts of valuable books. 
 
 20 
 
15th. The Grand High Priest renews, strongly, all recommendations 
 for the establishment of Permanent Funds by Chapters for the reasons 
 that they 
 
 encourage thrift ; 
 
 discourage extravagance ; 
 
 invite bequests ; 
 
 prevent unconsidered and ill- 
 advised use of present 
 
 accumulation by action at 
 
 a meeting without notice ; 
 
 provide against the day of 
 
 famine and of wrath ; 
 
 are for the good of the order. 
 
 16th. To forestall questions, please state to your Chapters that proxies 
 cannot be permitted at installations, as one man cannot take the obliga- 
 tion for another ; that robes cannot be used in public ; that it is highly 
 preferable, not required, however, that all Chapter business be transacted 
 in the Royal Arch Degree for the reason that candidates are not members 
 of the Chapter with right to vote until they have taken the Royal Arch 
 Degree and signed the By-Laws ; that one man cannot be installed into two 
 conflicting offices, and that the gavel is never used in public. 
 
 17th. The Chapter banner containing the ancient coat-of-arms of 
 Masonry is very beautiful and would be a desirable addition in every 
 Chapter. It is especially recommended for presentation purposes. 
 
 18th. Urge every Chapter that has not yet forwarded the six copies 
 of their best Marks to do so at once. The book is now ready at the 
 Grand Secretary's office, and will be found very interesting. It may be 
 seen by any Companion. 
 
 19th. The Grand High Priest has found so many present officers who 
 have served their Chapters for more than twenty years in continuous 
 service in one office that he wishes to make a Roll of Honor, whereon 
 the names of such officers may appear. 
 
 Please obtain and promptly forward such particulars from all the 
 Chapters in your several districts, giving dates and full details of the 
 Masonic history of the officers. 
 
 Trusting these various recommendations will be approved and heartily 
 followed by you, and wishing you the best of success during your 
 service, I am 
 
 Yours very sincerely and fraternally, 
 
 Charles Dana Burrage, 
 Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch 
 Chapter of Massachusetts 
 Boston Mass, Feb. 28, 1911 
 
 21 
 
JURISDICTION 
 
 The following have been appointed a Committee on Jurisdic- 
 tion, and are hard at work upon the problem of establishing and 
 laying out exclusive and concurrent jurisdiction for each Chapter: 
 M/. E/. Harry Hunt, Chairman; R.-. E.'. Albert L. Richardson, 
 E.-. Charles W. Delano. 
 
 DEPUTIES 
 
 During the months of September, October and December the 
 fifteen Deputies, as direct representatives of the Grand High 
 Priest, have visited in their several districts, covering every Chap- 
 ter in the State. The reduced size of the districts and increased 
 number of Deputies have resulted in better service being given, as 
 anticipated. Several of the districts have adopted the plan of 
 annual exemplifications, working two or three degrees only, and 
 report themselves as well pleased with the change. The Grand 
 Lecturers are strongly in favor of the new arrangements, and 
 report that the exemplifications have been unusually satisfactory. 
 
 The reports of the Deputies, as rendered to me, are most inter- 
 esting, covering the whole State in one comprehensive view. 
 
 From these reports it is very clear that many Chapters are 
 establishing permanent funds; that nearly all now display the 
 American flag at every meeting ; that only a small number as yet 
 use the lectures, but that the number is increasing, as they evi- 
 dently add materially to the interest of the meetings ; that many 
 of the Chapters have no duplicate Charters ; that most of the 
 Chapters keep their records and valuables in fire-proof safes ; that 
 all Chapters except three only have recorded all " Marks " promptly 
 before exaltation of candidates ; that the benefits of annual two- 
 degree exemplifications are evident and many, and that the inter- 
 est and attendance have decidedly increased; that the Grand 
 Lecturers have been called to more Chapters than usual ; that in 
 a few Chapters Past High Priests fill working positions, to the 
 detriment of the Chapter, by depriving the regular officers of ex- 
 perience in those positions; that the Deputies have in nearly 
 all cases been accompanied on their visitations by considerable 
 suites ; that every High Priest in the Commonwealth has been 
 
 22 
 
notified that all levity and roughness in degree work must be en- 
 tirely eliminated and corresponding assurances received ; that the 
 Deputies* travelling expenses have been reduced; that at least 
 twelve out of the fifteen Deputies have shown their fitness for 
 their highly honorable offices by installing the officers of Chapters 
 in their districts ; that the attendance of Councils at Grand 
 Chapter convocations has decidedly increased ; that not a single 
 Chapter has become liable to a penalty for non-attendance for two 
 years ; that few Chapters have suitable bookcases or properly 
 preserve the valuable reports issued by the Grand Chapter ; that 
 practically every Book of Marks in the Commonwealth is care- 
 fully kept, and most of them are exceedingly well executed, there 
 being an evident tendency of late to use simple designs ; that a 
 few Chapters insert beautifully engrossed memorials of deceased 
 members in their records, and generally all the Deputies unite in 
 stating that they find increased interest, better work, and greater 
 enthusiasm throughout all the Chapters in the Commonwealth — 
 a fact that gives large encouragement for renewed and constant 
 effort in the future. 
 
 R.*. E.*. Charles H. Preston, the Deputy of the 2d District, 
 forwards the following account of the ancient Charter of Wash- 
 ington Royal Arch Chapter, of Salem, which celebrated its 100th 
 Anniversary in January of this year : — 
 
 " The Charter of Washington Chapter has an interesting history. The 
 original Charter bears the date of 1811. According to record, under date 
 of March 17, 1835, it was ' Voted that the trunk containing the Records, 
 Seal and Papers of this Chapter, together with the Charter, be committed 
 to the care of the High Priest, and by him to be deposited in the vault of 
 some Bank for safe keeping.' 
 
 " In 1852, when meetings of the Chapter were resumed, the Charter 
 could not be found, and the Grand Chapter was asked to grant them a 
 duplicate, and this was done, a new Charter, dated Sept. 7, 1852, but 
 taking precedence from the date of the original Charter, being issued to 
 them. Nov. 18, 1853, the old Charter was found among the effects of 
 Joseph G. Sprague, who was High Priest of the Chapter at the time the 
 meetings were suspended in 1835. 
 
 " The following memorandum is recorded : ' Upon the death of P. •. 
 H.'. P.-. Joseph G. Sprague, his property was sold at auction by Shepard 
 and Archer, auctioneers ; among the effects was a barrel of maps and 
 other papers, apparently of little value, which was left at the close of the 
 
 23 
 
sale. Some months afterward, Mr. Shepard, returning from a military 
 muster on Salem Neck, met the writer of this (Samuel B. Buttrick), and 
 he, knowing by common report that he was a Mason, hailed him and 
 informed him that he had found in a barrel a roll of paper which he 
 imagined to be of importance to somebody, perhaps a Mason. I told 
 him I was the person who should have the custody of the Charter of 
 Washington Chapter (long lost, now found), and related to him its his- 
 tory, and he in a day or two returned it to me in as good condition as 
 before.' 
 
 " The Charters are both in good condition. A Charter which had such 
 a narrow escape from destruction is a priceless relic." 
 
 The result of my two years' service as Grand High Priest is to 
 show me very clearly upon what firm foundation our ancient insti- 
 tution stands. Here in Massachusetts, with 81 Chapters, compris- 
 ing 22,629 members, Capitular Masonry occupies its own place, 
 high and honored. The Chapter is no longer deemed merely a 
 necessary " stepping-stone " to higher degrees, it is valued for its 
 own sake. The services shown in the Roll of Honor in this re- 
 port speak more eloquently than any words of the love, affection, 
 loyalty and devoted attachment of these men for the Chapter ; 
 they contain unmistakable tribute that is most beautiful and most 
 impressive. The Chapter, in its clearness, simplicity, magnificence 
 of ceremonial and insistent teachings of right living, appeals with 
 compelling power to the souls and hearts of men. Even as a 
 century ago our fathers listened and obeyed, foreseeing the won- 
 drous vision of the future, so we, the children of to-day, realize as 
 we, in turn, listen to the never-old story, that the glory of the 
 structure of to-day but presages the illumining radiance of its 
 crowning triumph in the centuries that are not yet unrolled by the 
 hand of God. 
 
 24 
 
Address at One-hundredth Anniversary of Consti- 
 tution of Washington Royal Arch Chapter, 
 Salem, Mass., January 9, 1911 
 
 Most Excellent High Priest Goodwin^ Ladies, and Companions of 
 Washington Royal Arch Chapter : — 
 
 It is a most pleasing privilege to join you on this Centennial 
 Celebration of your consecration as a Royal Arch Chapter, and to 
 have this opportunity of bringing you the greetings, warm, ardent, 
 and sincere, of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Massachusetts. 
 
 To emphasize the importance of this event, and to fittingly ex- 
 press, by visible token of recognition, this appreciation of the 
 Grand Chapter, your Most Excellent High Priest, Excellent Com- 
 panion Charles Goodwin, has been appointed one of the Grand 
 officers, as Grand Principal Sojourner for the year 1911. 
 
 Of all the seventy and nine Royal Arch Chapters that to-day, 
 as jewels of rare and radiant beauty, adorn the crown of Massachu- 
 setts Capitular Masonry, two only have preceded you in celebrat- 
 ing centennial anniversaries : St. Andrew's Royal Arch Chapter of 
 Boston, the oldest in America, in 1869, and King Cyrus' Royal 
 Arch Chapter of Newburyport, in 1890. 
 
 Now that, as a Chapter, you have laboriously climbed one round 
 of the golden cycle of Time, one infinitesimal fraction of that 
 eternity, that, in glorious destiny, awaits both our great young 
 Republic of Freemen, and our ancient institution of Freemasonry ; 
 now that you may enter in your Golden Book of Days the 
 completed record of a full century of years, you may well pause 
 for a moment, in retrospect, in solemn review of the meaning, the 
 results, the promises and achievements of that period. 
 
 When R.-. E.*. Henry Fowle as Deputy Grand High Priest of 
 the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Massachusetts, on January 15, 
 1811, consecrated to Zerubbabel Washington Royal Arch Chapter 
 here in Salem, using for the first time that solemn and impressive 
 service of Constitution we use to-day unchanged, that we have 
 used twice within a year, could his prophetic fancy by any possi- 
 bility have anticipated the triumph, the fulfilment of promise that 
 is so evident here to-day ? 
 
 25 
 
The Chapter in Massachusetts has kept equal step with the 
 State in growth, in advancement, halting at times, moving rapidly 
 forward on occasion, but always maintaining its high standard of 
 faith. To-day we see the rich fruition of the unselfish labors of 
 these many decades, with more than twenty-two thousand Royal 
 Arch Masons in Massachusetts enrolled under our Scarlet Banner 
 of hope and enthusiasm. As our grand old Commonwealth has 
 ever led the forces striving for freedom of faith and liberty of the 
 individual, so Massachusetts Masonry for more than a hundred 
 and fifty years has kept her banners flying far in advance, sum- 
 moning the bravest, the strongest, the most unselfish and devoted 
 to follow even to the heights. You of Washington Royal Arch 
 Chapter have a right to be proud of your heritage ; you have well 
 earned the privilege of standing by our outer gates, to tell us, of 
 a later day, what Capitular Masonry has stood for here in Massa 
 chusetts for a hundred years past, what it means to-day, what is 
 its promise to the countless generations yet to follow. 
 
 Is it not the lesson of the ages gone, the one great lesson that 
 is so impressed upon our minds and consciences that it must endure 
 through aeons upon aeons of time still to come, is it not carved 
 upon the mystic white keystone in flaming letters of fire, that in 
 Masonry the one essential attribute is character; that if our 
 Masonic influences, our sublime and splendid teachings, our mag- 
 nificent ceremonials, fail to perfect the rough ashlars of our char- 
 acters into the polished beauty of resemblance to Divine perfec- 
 tion, then we have failed in our purpose, our great Temples may 
 well be given to desolation, their arches crumble into ruins, their 
 lofty pillars of wisdom, strength and beauty, sculptured and carved 
 with the heroic records of unselfish deeds of fraternity of a 
 thousand years, be shattered and overthrown, to lie buried and 
 forgotten under the sands of time. 
 
 You of Washington Royal Arch Chapter, bearing an honored 
 name that recalls to us of to-day, almost as vividly as to your 
 founders, the heroic struggles and costly sacrifices of our country's 
 long contest for freedom ; you who, generation by generation, 
 have seen the golden sun of promise rising higher and higher 
 above the mountains of Hope, sending its resplendent rays with in- 
 creasing brightness upon the spires and minarets of our Temple of 
 
 26 
 
Freemasonry ; you who have kept the faith of the fathers un- 
 sullied and untarnished, you know well the perennial charm, the 
 hidden inherent beauties, — the increasing glories of attraction of 
 our ancient and beloved Rite. 
 
 This Chapter, venerable, revered, honorable and most honored, 
 this crowning monument of the years, this glorious living symbol 
 of our common faith in man, this most potent expression of our 
 world-wide belief in the brotherhood of man and the fatherhood of 
 God, this ancient Chapter of yours may well rejoice to-day upon 
 this rich fulfilment of its initial purpose, this present answer ta 
 the devout and soul-appealing prayer of consecration of a century 
 ago. For, before your holy altar, true men have pledged them- 
 selves to fraternity ; have dedicated their lives to charity ; have, 
 with humble and contrite hearts, vowed unquestioning obedience 
 to the laws of God and devout reverence for His Great and Holy 
 Name. 
 
 You may vainly attempt to inscribe in your records the count- 
 less deeds of charity, fraternity and self-sacrifice that we know 
 well belong in your Chapter's unwritten history ; you recall, with 
 throbbing hearts and tear-dimmed eyes, the heroisms and the re- 
 nunciations of those who have long since passed beyond the veils, 
 to the radiance of immortal glory ; but you may, at least, in their 
 grateful memory, with renewed courage and quickened inspiration, 
 well resolve to keep forever untarnished the brilliant scarlet 
 purity of your ancient banner. For in the story of your century 
 of life is written many a song of triumph, many a dirge of sorrow. 
 If we read rightly the epic of the years ; if we take to our hearts 
 the bitter lessons of the costly errors, the mistakes, the weaknesses, 
 the wrongs, the manifold train of human frailties that inevitably 
 belong with every considerable body of men, may we not, then, 
 learn also lessons of enduring faith, of infinite charity ; may we 
 not be refreshed for our life battles, renewed in our courage ; may 
 we not learn to exercise more freely that fraternity we teach be- 
 fore the Holy Ark of the Covenant, at the feet of the Cherubim 
 of the Lord, that humility and love for our fellow-men we profess 
 in the Shadow of the Royal Arch, in the inspired remembrance of 
 the ineffable glory of " that name that no man knoweth." 
 
 As Chapter Masons may we not say that 
 
 27 
 
*' Every mason in the quarry ; every builder on the shore ; 
 Every woodman in the forest ; every boatman at the bar ; 
 Hewing wood and hauling water ; splitting stone and cleaving sod ; 
 All the dusty ranks of labor in the regiment of God, 
 March together toward his Temple, 
 Do the tasks His hands prepare. 
 Honest toil is holy service ; fa,ithful work is praise and prayer." 
 
 Henry Van Dyke. 
 
 28 
 
Address at Twenty-fifth Anniversary of Constitu- 
 tion of Royal Arch Chapter of the Tabernacle, 
 Maiden, March 20, 1911 
 
 Most Excellent High Priest Anderson and Companions of the 
 Royal Arch Chapter of the Tabernacle : — 
 
 It is an especial privilege to be present on this Twenty-fifth 
 Anniversary of your Constitution as a Chapter. You began exist- 
 ence with a Charter list of one hundred and fifty-nine, the record 
 number in Massachusetts, under the wise guidance of M.*. E.'. 
 Frederick T. Comee, then Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal 
 Arch Chapter of Massachusetts. In his Annual Address for the 
 year 1886, on December 7, speaking of your Constitution the 
 evening before : — 
 
 " Springing at once, as it has, into the full strength and vigor 
 usually attained only by long years of patient labor and love, we 
 are certainly justified in expecting from it more than ordinary 
 usefulness." 
 
 I come to-night bearing the hearty greetings of the Grand Chap 
 ter, to say in its behalf with emphasis that it has not been disap- 
 pointed with the twenty-five years of your Chapter's work ; that 
 you have abundantly justified the confidence reposed in you; that 
 the results attained presage a larger and an enduring prosperity 
 through the countless centuries that lie in the future. 
 
 Early in February I enjoyed the privilege of visiting the Grand 
 Royal Arch Chapter of New York, in Annual Session at Albany. 
 I noted with interest the many differences between their work 
 and ours — differences, however, only in detail, in wordings, in 
 signs — but there was a great and substantial unanimity in the 
 sublime teachings of the great foundation Masonic principles. I 
 noted with especial interest that Grand Lecturer McGowan was 
 installed for the twenty-seventh consecutive term, two years of 
 service having been given before you, as a Chapter, began exist- 
 ence. Grand Secretary Christopher G. Fox, who is also General 
 Grand Secretary of the General Grand Royal Arch Chapter of 
 the United States, was installed for the forty-fifth year. This is 
 a fitting occasion to recall that here in Massachusetts we who 
 
 29 
 
know and love the Chapter find also on every side many evidences 
 of devotion to the rare and radiant beauties, to the charms, the 
 crystal clearness, the transparent brilliancy, the abiding simplicity 
 of its lessons of faith, of its impressive and sublime teachings of 
 the immortal truths of God ; for all over Massachusetts I have 
 found, in my various travels, many officers who have served their 
 Chapters for more than a generation in continuous labor in one 
 office. 
 
 Therefore it has seemed well to form a Roll of Honor, whereon 
 to inscribe in love and gratitude the names of those who have 
 given such service for a term exceeding twenty years. 
 
 Companion Junius B. Temple has served Composite Royal 
 Arch Chapter of North Adams as Secretary for more thau twenty- 
 eight years ; Companion George F. Pratt was recently installed 
 as Treasurer of St. Mark's Royal Arch Chapter at Taunton for 
 the thirtieth year ; in Mt. Lebanon Royal Arch Chapter of Mil- 
 ford R.*. E.*. George E. Stacey, after serving his Chapter in vari- 
 ous positions, including that of High Priest, then serving the 
 Grand Chapter several years, becoming Deputy Grand High Priest 
 in 1874, became Captain of the Host and is now acting in that 
 capacity after thirty-five years of continuous service ; where, mid 
 the fire-swept ruins of Chelsea a new temple of our faith has 
 arisen, Companion Charles S. Beatley is serving his forty-first 
 year as Secretary of the Royal Arch Chapter of the Shekinah ; I 
 recently installed Companion Charles H. Parks as Tyler of 
 Waltham Royal Arch Chapter, of Waltham, for the forty-first 
 time; in Corinthian Royal Arch Chapter, of Adams, Companion 
 David D. Bow en was appointed Principal Sojourner at the insti- 
 tution of the Chapter in 1865, and has held that position for all 
 the forty-six years since, while in the heart of Boston, in our great 
 White Temple, in St. Paul's Royal Arch Chapter, the largest and 
 richest Chapter in the Commonwealth, that Nestor of Massachu- 
 setts Masons, Companion Theodore H. Emmons is now in his 
 fifty-first year as Secretary. 
 
 What inspiration there is in such records as these! What 
 glory of service, what proof of devotion to Masonry lie in these 
 long labors of the years ! What more forceful, what more beau- 
 tiful tribute could any man give to Capitular Masonry ? 
 
 30 
 
In ancient Arabic writings we may read 
 
 *' In the nine heavens are eight paradises. 
 
 Where is the ninth one? In the human heart. 
 Rather, man, lack those eight paradises 
 Than be without the ninth one in thy heart." 
 
 As Chapter Masons we should not be content merely to wear 
 the lapel button, bearing those ancient beautiful mystic emblems 
 of the Circle, Triangle and Triple Tau, the oldest symbols on 
 earth, derived from dead religions revered in forgotten empires of 
 thousands of years ago ; we must let the flaming brilliancy of its 
 scarlet warm our hearts to infinite tenderness, to the constant, in- 
 creasing practice of that charity and fraternity we are taught here 
 before our holy altars of Masonry ; we must interpret through our 
 lives, in knightly courtesy and gentleness of spirit, the sublime 
 principles these symbols represent; we must carry into our homes 
 and lives, and so cherish, honor and follow, the great underlying 
 Masonic principles of obedience to the laws of God, and reverence 
 for His Great and Holy Name, that we shall perfect the rough 
 surfaces of the Ashlars of our characters into the polished beauty 
 of resemblance to Divine Perfection. 
 
 Are we not taught as Chapter Masons that 
 
 " A sunbeam shot across a cloudy day 
 
 Can brighten all the drear expanse of sky ; 
 A loving smile can make a weary way 
 A path to paradise." 
 
 As with humble and contrite hearts we travel the rough and 
 rugged roads that lead under the Royal Arch of Truth to the " peace 
 that passeth understanding " in the ineffable glory of " that name 
 that no man knoweth ; " as we learn the lessons of charity, modera- 
 tion, industry, humility, purity of soul, and reverence for the Holy 
 Name of God, are we not compelled to acknowledge in our soul's 
 inmost recesses that the Chapter Degrees reach heights of beauty, 
 dignity, and heart appeal that touch the very clouds of inspiration ? 
 
 Therefore it is that there is no place in the Chapter for any 
 levity, roughness or coarseness ; therefore it is that the Grand 
 Chapter, in that wisdom that sees into the future, has decreed that 
 the work must be continuous, and that only the officers shall take 
 part in the ceremonies. 
 
 31 
 
Just as 
 
 " He who suffers knows a world 
 Beyond his fellows' ken ; 
 As one from some dark cave of earth 
 Sees stars unseen by men," 
 
 So we, who kneel m adoration at the feet of the Chei ubim of 
 the Lord, see with clearer vision the narrow path of life, the way 
 of truth, of duty, of faith divine. Do we not feel in our hearts 
 with greater clearness the true meaning of charity as we hear the 
 beautiful exposition of the lesson of the "Mark?" Are we not 
 inspired to greater devotion to God as the solemn glories of the 
 Most Excellent pass before our eyes, in all the rich splendor and 
 magnificence of its ceremonial ? Are we not impressed in our 
 souls to life-long acceptance of the truth bv that most powerful 
 sermon against profanity to which man ever listened, in the 
 sublime Royal Arch Degree ? 
 
 Recently, it is said, some three hundred men at a meeting in a 
 Western city agreed together to give up the use of profane 
 language. You and I know they were Masons, as was indeed the 
 case ; you and I believe further that they were Chapter Masons, 
 taught witli all the power, and dignity, and impressiveness of the 
 Chapter to reverence God's Sacred Name. 
 
 AS in Masonry the essential attribute is character; as it is the 
 influence that Masonry exerts upon the lives of those who follow 
 her brilliant banners that determines the permanent value of our 
 ancient institution, so, if we shall leave at the threshold of our 
 Chapter hall the influences for right living that are so powerfully 
 invoked in all our ceremonies ; if we shall fail to carry into our 
 homes and lives these sublime truths of God ; if we shall fail to 
 emulate, in the purity of our lives, the virgin whiteness of that 
 keystone we display so conspicuously in public; if we shall forget 
 that the teachings of our ancient institution are Divine, and that 
 the Holy Bible is the guide of our life's conduct ; then, indeed, 
 shall we have failed in our purpose ; then shall we have failed to 
 reach the heart and glory of our ancient Craft ; then, for us, its 
 great temples may well be given over to desolation, its arches be 
 permitted to crumble into dust ; its lofty pillars of wisdom, strength, 
 and beauty, sculptured and carved with the heroic records of 
 
 32 
 
unselfish deeds of fraternity of a thousand years, be shattered and 
 overthrown, to lie buried and forgotten beneath the sands of Time. 
 But if we shall keep, with knightly faith, our vows of service to 
 mankind, of charity to the helpless widow and orphan, of frater- 
 nity to our Brethren, of loyalty to God, the Father Omniscient, 
 Omnipotent and Omnipresent, then may we as Royal Arch Masons 
 feel assured that our soul's barque shall sail safely beyond the veil 
 of the last great mystery to the gardens of immortality. 
 
 " Beyond the sunset's crimson bars ; 
 Beyond the twilight and the stars ; 
 Beyond the midnight and the dark, 
 Sail on, sail on, O happy barque ! 
 Into the dawn of that tomorrow 
 Where hearts shall find an end of sorrow 
 And Love shall find its own." 
 
 At Constitution of Cambridge Council Royal and 
 Select Masters 
 
 Response by Most Excellent Charles Dana Burrage, 
 Grand High Priest, on Reception 
 
 Most Illustrious Grand Master Benton : — 
 
 I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the warmth of 
 your most gracious and courteous Masonic greeting. 
 
 To be present to bring you the warm greetings of the Most 
 Excellent Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Massachusetts at the 
 launching of this stout ship of Masonic endeavor, fated, we believe, 
 to carry its precious cargo safely through the trials and storms of 
 the centuries that lie beyond the veil of the future ; to join with 
 you in this consecration of a new Council, this solemn dedication 
 to fraternity, in the name of the Most High, of this eager and 
 ambitious body of devoted Masons ; to stand here under such 
 gracious circumstances in your presence. Most Illustrious Grand 
 Master Benton, who have proved yourself so faithful, capable and 
 efficient, my beloved friend, kinsman and colleague, these are indeed 
 most high and grateful privileges, greatly appreciated and long to 
 be remembered. 
 
 33 
 
Response by Most Excellent Charles Dana Burrage, 
 Grand High Priest, at Banquet 
 
 Thrice Illustrious Master Peak^ Most Illustrious Grand Master 
 Benton and Companions of Cambridge Council of Royal and 
 Select Masters: — 
 
 Upon such an occasion as this we may well bear in mind that 
 
 " We are but instruments, 
 The strings attuned and tense, 
 Whereon the hand of Time 
 Strikes some few notes sublime." 
 
 Charles G. Blag den, 
 
 on the mighty monuments of Egypt (so eloquently referred to 
 by Grand Chaplain Bush), overthrown, broken and partly buried 
 under the sands of the desert, we may read in hieroglyphic 
 language the stories of her religious mysteries, tracing the slow 
 passage of the neophyte, step by step, as he climbs the heights of 
 knowledge. Everywhere we find one symbol more insistently 
 conspicuous than any other, the symbol of Secrecy, of profoundest 
 obligation, of that darkness that means silence, — the Mason's 
 trowel. One of the oldest symbols, the trowel has extensive, 
 almost universal, application in the form of the triangle. It repre- 
 sented the greatest and most abstruse mysteries, signifying equally 
 Deity, Creation and Fire. The water triangle, or triangle in- 
 verted, resting on one of its points, signified the kind, good and 
 merciful God. The fire triangle, resting on its base, signified the 
 just and angry God. The double triangle, made by placing the 
 water triangle upon the fire triangle interlaced, giving six points, 
 forms the seal of Solomon, the symbol of the perfect God-head in 
 all His attributes and works, and is the jewel of both the Chapter 
 and the Council ; while the triple triangle, or three triangles 
 superimposed at angles and interlaced, was formerly a mystical 
 symbol of health, and therefore of prosperity, and forms the 
 beautiful star of nine points of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter. 
 
 The Egyptians called the triangle the sacred number, or number 
 of perfection, and their most sacred obligations were administered 
 
 34 
 
upon it, for it ever had reference to the Deity or some Divine 
 attribute. We may well say 
 
 " There are heights and depths eternal human minds have never 
 treasured ; 
 There are lengths and breadths supernal only God has ever 
 measured." 
 
 »S'. A. Gordon. 
 
 it is especially appropriate, therefore, that the distinguishing 
 attributes of the Cryptic Rite should be secrecy and impressive- 
 ness ; for the silence of the Crypt brings the hearts of men very 
 closely together. By that warmth of intimate companionship that 
 is so universally found in the Council, by that fraternity that so 
 often grows into undying friendship, are produced rare and radiant 
 flowers of unselfish service that exalt the soul and lighten the path 
 of life by their beauties. 
 
 For in Masonry do we not learn 
 
 " If but one friend have crossed thy way 
 Once only in thy mortal day ; 
 If only once life's best surprise 
 Has opened on thy human eyes ; 
 Ingrate thou wert, indeed, if thou 
 Didst not in that rare presence bow. 
 And on earth's holy ground, unshod, 
 Speak softlier the dear name of God." 
 
 Lucy Larcom. 
 
 because they alone who voluntarily turn aside from the broad 
 highway of Masonic advancement to seek knowledge for the sake 
 of knowledge ever find the narrow entrance leading to the Crypt, 
 and through devious passages reach the gardens of delight that 
 bloom in immortal beauty far beyond that sombre portal ; because 
 they alone realize the irresistible attractive power, the compelling 
 charm and soul appeal of your beautiful Rite, these reasons alone 
 delay the coming of that certain day of ultimate acceptance, of 
 eager advocacy, on the part of the crowding throngs of pilgrims 
 ever travelling the rough and rugged roads that lead under the 
 Royal Arch to the Holy City of Peace. 
 
 Are we not taught in the Cryptic Rite the highest lessons of 
 our Masonic faith of that charity that is divine, of that reverence 
 
 35 
 
for God that brings us to our knees at the feet of the Cherubim? 
 As Cryptic Masons may we not say 
 
 *' If we sit down at set of sun 
 And count the things that we have done 
 
 And, counting, find 
 One self-denying act, one word 
 That eased the heart of him who heard, 
 
 One glance most kind, 
 That fell like sunshine where it went, 
 Then we may count that day well spent." 
 
 the Cryptic Rite appeals to the hearts and souls of men with 
 tremendous power, by its symbolism that represents some of the 
 richest expressions of ancient religious thought and principles, 
 mofet beautiful in their modern application ; by its degree work 
 that is so sublimely impressive and heart-enthralling; by its 
 profound teachings of the word of God, and of the littleness and 
 vanity of human life ; by ihQ fulfilment of its mission as the key- 
 stone of the great Arch of Ancient Craft Masonry, completing 
 the magnificent story begun and unfinished in the lodge ; by its 
 proud banner of royal purple, representing in rich and splendid 
 color the union of the heavenly blue of the lodge and the flaming 
 scarlet of the Chapter. You of Cambridge, therefore, may well 
 rejoice in your present opportunity to enlist as workmen in the 
 quarries of this glorious new Temple of your faith ; you may well 
 resolve never by act of yours to lessen the glory of that ancient 
 banner; never to tarnish the lustre of your beautiful symbols, 
 that in their brightness reflect the glory of God ; never to mar the 
 virgin whiteness of the ashlars of character with which you will 
 build the walls of the great Structure of Freemasonry. 
 For 
 
 " In the elder days of art 
 
 Builders wrought with greatest care 
 Each minute and unseen part ; 
 
 For the Gods see everywhere. 
 Let us do our work as well, 
 
 Both the unseen and the seen ; 
 Make the house where Gods may dwell 
 Beautiful, entire, and clean." 
 
 Longfellow. 
 
 36 
 
ANNUAL ADDRESS 
 
 BY 
 
 CHARLES DANA BURRAGE 
 
 Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter 
 of Massachusetts, 191 2. 
 
 Companions of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Masssachusetts : 
 
 The sands of my official life are running fast, and after three 
 swift-passing and most delightful years of service, in a few 
 minutes, with mingled regret and relief, I shall surrender my 
 authority to my successor. 
 
 I am unfeignedly glad to have had this opportunity for service 
 in this Grand Chapter, under such pleasant conditions, and with 
 such unfaltering loyalty of support from you ; and as I review 
 the record of the years my heart thrills with the promise and the 
 glory of the future of our beloved Rite. 
 
 For, as at twilight on an autumn day, recently, from the wide, 
 hospitable verandah surrounding the Masonic Home, high on the 
 hill at Charlton, I looked over the hills, woods and valleys of a 
 large part of Central Massachusetts ; as I turned my eager gaze 
 from Wachusett Mountain, mistily dim against the northern sky, 
 thirty-five miles away, to the distant Berkshire heights under the 
 golden sunset ; as my eyes swept the horizon from the low Con- 
 necticut hills just beyond the State line to the " Blue Hills " of 
 Milton, rising in shadow by the Atlantic shore ; as I passed in 
 review the various and diverse chapters that make our complex 
 whole, I realized anew the strength, unity, and time-defying insist- 
 ence of high purpose that are so evident in Capitular Masonry in 
 Massachusetts. Among all her eighty-two Chapters, scattered 
 as jewels in her diadem over this Commonwealth, there is not 
 one that is weak, not one that is not filled with zeal and loyalty, 
 
 1 
 
not one whose officers fail to exhibit pride and enthusiasm in their 
 work ; all are vigorous, thriving, prosperous, excelling in accuracy 
 of detail in degree work ; facing the centuries of the future with 
 hope, courage and confidence. 
 
 One year ago the Chapters of Massachusetts had 22,629 mem- 
 bers; this year there are 23,487, a net gain of 858. 
 
 But, during the year the sombre record of our loved Compan- 
 ions who have passed beyond the veils has lengthened almost 
 daily, for 301 have laid aside the burdens of mortality, leaving 
 as to mourn, to cherish their memories, and to remember always 
 their devotion to our Ancient Craft. 
 
 A year ago I called your attention to the death within a week 
 of Rev. A. St. John Chambre, a Past Deputy Grand High Priest. 
 Since then five permanent members of this Grand Chapter, all 
 Past Deputy Grand High Priests, have entered into the joys of 
 immortality. 
 
 R.-. E.-. Alfred H. Hartley, of Fall River Royal Arch Chapter 
 of Fall River, Deputy Grand High Priest in 1881, died Decem- 
 ber 16, 1911. 
 
 Worshipful Master of his lodge, High Priest of his Chapter, 
 Thrice Illustrious Master of his Council, Eminent Commander of 
 his Commandery, Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Council, 
 Deputy Grand High Priest, active in civic and business affairs, 
 he iSlled a long and busy life with success, and deservedly won 
 the esteem and respect of his Companions. 
 
 R.*. E.-. James Downs, of Parker Royal Arch Chapter, of 
 Natick, Deputy Grand High Priest in 1894, died January 2, 1912. 
 
 Earnest, zealous, genial, enthusiastic, a faithful worker, serving 
 loyally as Worshipful Master, High Priest and Eminent Com- 
 mander, they who knew him best speak in fond remembrance of 
 him as "pre-eminently a man of generous impulses"; of "his 
 sympathy with all whom he found in sorrow or want." 
 
 R.-. E.-. Herbert F. Morse, of Mt. Vernon Royal Arch Chap- 
 ter, of Roxbury, Deputy Grand High Priest in 1906, died March 
 7, 1912. Worshipful Master, Junior and Senior Grand Deacon, 
 High Priest, Deputy Grand High Priest, Thrice Illustrious Mas- 
 ter, Eminent Commander, Grand Commander, Grand Treasurer, 
 
President of the Roxbury Masonic Temple Association, we who 
 so knew and loved him may well unite with one of his close asso- 
 ciates in saying " he was a fitting exponent of all that is good and 
 true and noble in our beloved Order." 
 
 R.*. E.*. James Tent, of the Royal Arch Chapter of the Sheki- 
 nah, of Chelsea, Deputy Grand High Priest in 1876, died June 3, 
 1912. Warm-hearted, loyal, accurate, Worshipful Master, High 
 Priest, Deputy Grand High Priest, Thrice Illustrious Master, 
 Eminent Commander, he was greatly loved, and in the words of 
 his eulogist: ''He was broad, tolerant, sympathetic, — intolerant 
 only of hypocrisy, — ever stirring his Brethren to higher, better 
 work." 
 
 R.-. E.'. Edward J. Sartelle, of Worcester Royal Arch Chapter, 
 of Worcester, Deputy Grand High Priest in 1904, died September 
 15, 1912. Of all the thousands in our Institution who love Ma- 
 sonry, there is no one who excelled him, our Companion who has 
 so lately left us, whose memorial has just been read to you this 
 evening. As Grand Lecturer for many years, his labors of un- 
 swerving loyalty to lofty ideals have been wrought enduringly 
 into the substance of our Chapters and made the Grand Royal 
 Arch Chapter of Massachusetts of today possible in its virility 
 and proud leadership. 
 
 All of these Companions had rendered long and valuable ser- 
 vice to Masonry in many different bodies, and all were near our 
 hearts, ever exemplifying in their lives of stainless honor their 
 high ideals of Masonic character. 
 
 " Faithful in life, and faithful unto death, 
 
 Such souls, in sooth, illume with lustre splendid 
 That glimpsed, glad land wherein, the vision saith. 
 Earth's wrongs are ended." 
 
 Richard Burton. 
 
 LOSS BY FIRE 
 
 On January 15, 1912, the Masonic building at East Wey- 
 mouth, owned by the Fraternity, was destroyed by fire, Pentalpha 
 Royal Arch Chapter losing all its paraphernalia. In response to 
 repeated offers of assistance on the part of the Grand Chapter, 
 
they declared themselves abundantly able to care for themselves, 
 being well insured. 
 
 I would heartily commend their sturdy self-reliance and pride 
 of independence as worthy of the best traditions of our Rite. 
 
 MASONIC HOME 
 
 I would emphasize my belief in the need and value of the 
 Masonic Home, at Charlton, to speak in strong commendation of 
 the generous action of Pentucket Royal Arch Chapter, of Haver- 
 hill, in donating one hundred dollars to the Grand Chapter Fund 
 for the benefit of the Home. There are many urgent cases call- 
 ing for immediate relief in such a home, for which the present 
 inadequate funds at the disposal of the Grand Lodge cannot pro- 
 vide. The Grand Chapter did well this year to make a contribu- 
 tion to this Fund of two hundred and fifty dollars. I earnestly 
 recommend an annual appropriation of the same amount, to be 
 placed in the Grand Chapter Fund already established. 
 
 As the poet says : — 
 
 The poor Thou leavest always to our care, 
 And what we do for them we do for Thee. 
 
 Thou lovest them. Then be our deeds our prayer, 
 Who helps My loved ones doeth most for Me. 
 
 Anna Holyoke Howard. 
 
 NEW CHAPTERS 
 
 Two Chapters have been duly constituted by the Grand High 
 Priest in full and Ancient Form during the year : Bethsaida Royal 
 Arch Chapter of Everett, February 2 2d, and Rabboni Royal Arch 
 Chapter of North Attleborough, March 7th. 
 
 A dispensation was issued January 15th under the authority of 
 a vote of this Grand Chapter to 37 Companions at Amherst to 
 form a new Chapter under the name of Amherst Royal Arch 
 Chapter. 
 
 All of these new Chapters give every promise of strength and 
 enduring ability, and that they will attain and hold high place 
 among the Chapters of Massachusetts. 
 
 Having personally visited Amherst Royal Arch Chapter U.". D.*. 
 inspected their rooms and paraphernalia and examined into their 
 
condition, I unhesitatingly and naost cordially recommend to this 
 Grand Chapter to issue a Charter to them that they may be con- 
 stituted at the convenience of the incoming Grand High Priest. 
 
 EXEMPLIFICATIONS 
 
 Dispensations have been issued to the District Deputy Grand 
 High Priests of twelve out of the fifteen districts to hold District 
 Grand Chapters of Instruction as follows : — 
 
 2d, Lynn, May 17. R.*. E.*. G. Sidney Macfarlane. 
 3d, Fall River, April 15. R.-. E.-. Clarence M. Dunbar. 
 5th, Chicopee Falls, April 27. R.-. E.-. Edwin L. Davis. 
 6th, Greenfield, April 26. R.-. E.-. Harry E. Bicknell. 
 8th, Walden, May 24. R.-. E.-. William Wooldridge. 
 9th, Haverhill, Oct. 25. R.-. E.-. George E. Collins. 
 10th, Pittsfield, April 10. R.-. E.-. James O. Clifford. 
 11th, Fitchburg, Nov. 6. R.-. E.-. Edward O. Burton. 
 12th, Nantucket, Oct. 12. R.-. E.-. Francis H. Perry. 
 13th, Waltham, June 7. R.-. E.-. Arthur Twitchell. 
 14th, Norwood, Sept. 20. R.-. E.-. Walter L. Collins. 
 15th, Cambridge, April 25. R.-. E.'. Frank P. Rhoades. 
 The District Deputy Grand High Priests in three districts only, 
 the 1st, 4th and 7th, failed to carry out my repeated urgent 
 requests for annual exemplifications of two degrees. All of these, 
 however, held such the year preceding. 
 
 As a result of holding annual exemplifications, working two 
 degrees only, there has been a marked increase in attendance, as 
 also in accuracy and uniformity of work, and the strain upon both 
 Grand Lecturers and members has been greatly lessened. The 
 change has met with the unqualified approval of both Grand 
 Lecturers. 
 
 DISPENSATIONS 
 
 To establish a custom, I have asked the Grand Secretary to 
 submit the list of all dispensations issued during the year for the 
 Records. 
 
 List of dispensations issued for District Grand Chapters of 
 Instruction, twelve, as above stated. 
 
The request of the Grand Chapter of Nova Scotia for the 
 courtesy of the work of the Royal Arch Degree to be conferred on 
 Brother John Clyde McDonald was executed in Bethsaida Royal 
 Arch Chapter April 12, 1912, and the Grand Chapter of Nova 
 Scotia duly notified. 
 
 Dec. 22, 1911 To Reading Chapter for permission to confer the 
 degree of M.*. E.-. Master, Past Master and 
 Royal Arch at the same Convocation, waiving the 
 requirements requiring otherwise. 
 
 April 1, 1912 To Mt. Vernon Chapter for permission to ballot 
 on candidates at a Special Convocation of the 
 Chapter to be held on April 16. 
 
 April 12, 1912 To Worcester Chapter for permission to confer 
 all the degrees in Capitular Masonry at a Stated 
 Convocation of the Chapter on April 12, under 
 the direction of the Grand Lecturer. 
 
 June 22, 1912 To Bancroft Chapter for permission to confer 
 the M.-. E.-. Master and Royal Arch Degrees at 
 the same Convocation, waiving particular regu- 
 lation that twenty-four hours shall elapse between 
 the conferring of the same at Special Convoca- 
 tion to be held June 25. 
 
 June 14, 1912 To Keystone Chapter for permission to confer 
 the degrees of Mark Master, Past Master and 
 M.*. E.'. Master on the same candidates at a 
 Convocation to be held on June 14. 
 
 Jan. 20, 1912 To Pentalpha Chapter to hold a Special Convo- 
 cation in the lodge room of Delta Lodge, 
 Braintree, Friday, January 26, their apartments 
 having recently been destroyed by fire. And 
 
 Mar. 2, 1912 For permission to hold a Stated Convocation in 
 Odd Fellows Hall at East Weymouth. 
 
 Feb. 23, 1912 To Holten Chapter for permission to appear in 
 public on March 10 for the purpose of attending 
 divine worship in commemoration of its Fortieth 
 Anniversary. 
 
 April 30, 1912 To Dorchester Chapter for permission to appear 
 in public on Sunday, May 26, for the purpose of 
 attending divine worship. 
 
Oct. 8, 1912 Royal Arch Chapter of the Shekinah to appear 
 as a body for the purpose of attending divine 
 worship on October 13. 
 
 Mar. 25, 1912 To Cambridge Chapter for permission to hold a 
 special election of Secretary on April 12 to fill 
 the vacancy caused by death. 
 
 Apr. 30, 1912 To Mt. Zion Chapter for permission to hold a 
 special election, at a Stated Conclave, of Treas- 
 urer to fill the vacancy caused by death. 
 
 Sept. 3, 1912 To Dorchester Chapter for permission to receive 
 the application of a Brother at the Regular Con- 
 vocation in September and ballot upon the same, 
 waiving the statutory time. 
 
 Oct. 14, 1912 To Wareham Chapter for permission to confer 
 the degrees of Mark Master and Past Master 
 in the Masonic Hall at Falmouth October 18. 
 
 VISITATIONS 
 
 As a District Deputy I learned the value of formal visits to 
 Chapters, especially when accompanied by large suites of officers. 
 As Grand High Priest I have found nothing that I could do so 
 stimulating to the Chapters as a personal visit, under proper con- 
 ditions, afteV invitation, and accompanied by other Grand officers. 
 Therefore, although often at great sacrifice, I have accepted invi- 
 tation to and attended every Chapter not visited by me in the 
 previous two years, sending always (as before) notice of such 
 proposed visits (with invitation to attend) at least two weeks in 
 advance to every Grand officer, permanent member of the Grand 
 Chapter, High Priest, King and Scribe of every Chapter, and 
 also to some four hundred or more Past High Priests in the sec- 
 tions to be visited. 
 
 During the past year I have made formal visits to 37 Chapters 
 in all parts of the Commonwealth, including 11 Home Chap- 
 ters of Grand officers ; presided over G Grand Chapter Convo- 
 cations (4 regular and 2 constitutions of new Chapters) ; and 
 attended also as Grand High Priest officially on 12 other occa- 
 sions, in all 55, speaking at all except 5. 
 
The complete record of the three years of my service is as 
 follows : — 
 
 Chapter Miscel- 
 
 Visits Grand Chapter Convocations laueous Totals 
 
 1910 38 6 (2 constitutions of new Chapters) 14 58 
 
 1911 27 5 (1 *' '' " " 8 40 
 
 1912 37 6 (2 " " " " 12 55 
 — — — Grand 
 
 Total, 102 17 34 Total 153 
 
 I have visited 4 Chapters 4 times each ; 4 Chapters 3 times 
 each ; 7 Chapters twice each ; and all the rest of the 82 Chapters 
 in Massachusetts at least once each. 
 
 Of the different Chapters I visited 33 in 1910 
 
 17 in 1911 
 32 in 1912 
 
 Total 82 
 
 In making these visits I travelled over 13,960 miles. 
 
 The burden of these visits was greatly increased by the neces- 
 sity for making on each occasion two or even three formal ad- 
 dresses ; that is, on reception, with introduction of members of 
 suite; after close of work or entertainment in Chapter hall, and 
 often later also at banquet, once being called upon four times. 
 As in previous years, I have appended hereto some of the more 
 important of such addresses made during the year, viz : 
 
 On receiving flag presented by Past High Priests of St. John's 
 Royal Arch Chapter to the Chapter, East Boston, March 22. 
 
 Address on "The Meaning and Symbolism of Capitular Ma- 
 sonry," delivered before twenty Chapters. 
 
 Address before the Grand Holy Royal Arch Chapter of Penn- 
 sylvania, at Philadelphia, September 5. 
 
 LIST OF VISITATIONS, 1912 
 
 Dec. 18, 1911 Pilgrim Royal Arch Chapter, Abington. 
 O. D. Dickerman, High Priest. 
 50th anniversary Home Chapter of R.*. E.*. 
 Alfred H. Nash, Grand Scribe. 
 
 8 
 
Dec. 27, 1911 Grand Lodge of Masons. Feast of St. John. 
 
 M.-. W.-. Everett C. Benton, Grand Master. 
 
 Jan. 5, 1912 Mt. Zion Royal Arch Chapter, Stoughton. 
 Arthur W. Chase, High Priest. 
 Installation of officers, assisted by E.*. L. L. 
 Green, Grand Lecturer. 
 
 Jan. 10, 1912 Orient Council Royal and Select Masters, Somer- 
 ville. Reception by Home Council to M.*. I.*. 
 Edgar W. Evans, M.-. I.\ Grand Master. 
 
 Jan. 19, 1912 Boston Commandery, Knights Templar, Boston. 
 Jesse Ames, Eminent Commander. Ladies' 
 Night. 
 
 Jan. 24, 1912 Woburn Royal Arch Chapter, Woburn. 
 Benjamin Lewis, High Priest. 
 Public Installation, assisted by E.*. L. L. Green, 
 Grand Lecturer. Home Chapter of E.*. Ben- 
 jamin T. Morgan, Grand Master of First Veil. 
 
 Jan. 26, 1912 De Molay Commandery, Knights Templar, Bos- 
 ton. Charles W. Kidder, Eminent Commander, 
 Boston. Ladies' Night. 
 
 Feb. 9, 1912 Royal Arch Chapter of the Shekinah, Chelsea. 
 Martin J. Pleschinger, High Priest. 
 
 Feb. 14, 1912 Adoniram Royal Arch Chapter, New Bedford. 
 Merton L. Hathaway, High Priest. 
 
 Feb. 22, 1912 Constitution of Bethsaida Royal Arch Chapter, 
 Everett. 
 
 Charles Bruce, High Priest. 
 
 Feb. 29, 1912 North Star Royal Arch Chapter, Winchendon. 
 Robert D. Tees, High Priest. 
 
 Mar. 6, 1912 St. Andrew's Royal Arch Chapter, Boston. 
 Frederick C. Graves, High Priest. 
 Home Chapter of R.*. E.'. Eugene A. Holton, 
 Grand Treasurer. 
 
 Mar. 7, 1912 Constitution of Rabboni Royal Arch Chapter, 
 North Attleborough. 
 
 F. I. Gorton, High Priest. 
 
 Mar. 10, 1912 Funeral services R.-. E.-. Herbert F. Morse, 
 Past Deputy Grand High Priest, Roxbury. 
 
 9 
 
Mar. 11, 1912 Trinity Royal Arch Chapter, Amesbury. 
 George Maclean, High Priest. 
 Home Chapter of R.-. E.*. George E. Collins, 
 District Deputy Grand High Priest. 
 
 Mar. 14, 1912 King Cyrus Royal Arch Chapter, Newbury port. 
 Herbert E. Dodge, High Priest. 
 
 Mar. 19, 1912 Newton Royal Arch Chapter, Newton ville. 
 Richard W. Vose, High Priest. 
 
 Mar. 21, 1912 Harmony Royal Arch Chapter, Bridgewater. 
 Walter S. Little, High Priest. 
 
 Mar. 25, 1912 St. John's Royal Arch Chapter, East Boston. 
 Albert B. Chick, High Priest. 
 Home Chapter of E.-. Herbert P. Wasgatt, 
 Grand Principal Sojourner. Received flag pre- 
 sented to the Chapter by Past High Priests. 
 
 April 2, 1912 Tyrian Royal Arch Chapter, Millbury. 
 J. Ralph Reeby, High Priest. 
 
 April 4, 1912 Samoset Royal Arch Chapter, Plymouth. 
 Edward C. Holmes, High Priest. 
 
 April 11, 1912 King Hiram Royal Arch Chapter, Attleborough. 
 Elmer E. King, High Priest. 
 Home Chapter of R.*. E.-. Clarence M. Dunbar, 
 District Deputy Grand High Priest for 3d District 
 
 April 16, 1912 Union Royal Arch Chapter, Athol. 
 
 Edwin H. Johnson, High Priest. 
 
 April 17, 1912 St. Stephen's Royal Arch Chapter, Quincy. 
 William H. Parry, High Priest. 
 
 April 25, 1912 Boston Council Royal and Select Masters. 
 T.-. I.-. M.-. E. H. Lansing. 
 
 May 1, 1912 Doric Royal Arch Chapter, Southbridge. 
 H. C. Grimwade, High Priest. 
 Home Chapter of R.-. E.*. Arthur C. Moore, 
 District Deputy Grand High Priest for 4th 
 District. 
 
 May 2, 1912 Royal Arch Chapter of the Signet, Charlestown. 
 De Melle C. Garey, High Priest. 
 
 May 3, 1912 Pen tucket Royal Arch Chapter, Haverhill. 
 A. Shirley Ladd, High Priest. 
 
 10 
 
May 6, 1912 Hampden Royal Arch Chapter, Palmer 
 Emerson J. Loy, High Priest. 
 
 May 9, 1912 Mystic Royal Arch Chapter, Medford. 
 Thomas Jackson, High Priest. 
 Home Chapter of M.*. E.*. J. Oilman Waite, 
 Grand Secretary and E.-. L. L. Green, Grand 
 Lecturer. 
 
 May 10, 1912 Satucket Royal Arch Ciiapter, Brockton. 
 
 Home Chapter of R.-. E,-. William H. Emerson, 
 District Deputy Grand Hiojh Priest for 7th Dis- 
 trict and E.*. George A. Warren, Grand Master 
 of 2d Veil and High Priest. 
 
 May 17, 1912 Morning Star Royal Arch Chapter, Springfield. 
 Ernest F. Spicer, High Priest. 
 
 May 24, 1912 Exemplification for 8th District with Royal 
 Arch Chapter of the Tabernacle, Maiden. 
 R.'. E.'. William Wooldridge, District Deputy 
 Grand High Priest and E.-. L. L. Green, Grand 
 Lecturer. 
 
 May 27, 1912 Isle of the Sea Royal Arch Chapter, Nantucket. 
 William F. Worth, High Priest. 
 
 May 31, 1912 St. Elmo Royal Arch Chapter, Whitinsville. 
 John H. Brannigan, High Priest. 
 
 June 7, 1912 Exemplification for 13th District, Waltham, with 
 Waltham Royal Arch Chapter. R.-. E.-. Arthur 
 Twitchell, District Deputy Grand High Priest 
 and E.*. L. L. Green, Grand Lecturer. 
 
 June 18, 1912 Menotomy Royal Arch Chapter, Arlington. 
 Bert Houghton, High Priest. 
 
 June 19, 1912 Monument Royal Arch Chapter, Great Barring- 
 ton. Albert L. Barnes, High Priest. 
 
 June 20, 1912 Berkshire Royal Arch Chapter, Pittsfield. 
 Frank J. Barrett, High Priest. 
 Home Chapter of R.*. E.-. James O. Clifford, 
 D.D. Grand High Priest for 10th District. 
 
 June 28, 1912 Past High Priest's Association for 1st Capitular 
 District, R.*. E.-. James S. Blake, President; 
 Point Shirley Club, Annual Meeting. 
 
 11 
 
June 29, 1912 Sylvester Baxter Royal Arch Chapter, West 
 Harwich. 
 
 Arthur M. Nichols, High Priest. 
 Home Chapter of R.-. E.*. Francis H. Perry, 
 District Deputy Grand High Priest for 12th 
 District. 
 
 July 6, 1912 Past High Priest's Association for 8th Capitular 
 District, E.-. Frederick A. Flint, President; 
 Point Shirley Club. 
 
 July 18, 1912 Fall River Royal Arch Chapter, Fall River. 
 Annual Clambake (informal). 
 
 Sept. 5, 1912 Grand Holy Royal Arch Chapter of Pennsyl- 
 vania, Philadelphia. Quarterly Convocation. 
 
 Sept. 12, 1912 Amherst Royal Arch Chapter U.*. D.'., Amherst. 
 Charles H. Rumery, High Priest. 
 
 Sept. 18, 1912 William Person Royal Arch Chapter, Gloucester. 
 George V. Fisher, High Priest. 
 Home Chapter of E.-. Monson L. Wetherell, 
 Grand Steward. 
 
 Sept. 20, 1912 Crescent Royal Arch Chapter, Orange. 
 Charles L. Gray, High Priest. 
 
 Oct. 16, 1912 Mt. Holyoke Royal Arch Chapter, Holyoke. 
 Edward T. Newton, High Priest. 
 
 Dec. 9, 1912 Grand Council Royal and Select Masters, M.-. !.♦. 
 Edgar W. Evans, Grand Master. Reception to 
 M.-. P.". J. Albert Blake, General Grand Master 
 of the General Grand Council of the United 
 States. 
 The largest suite on any visitation was 58, at Springfield. 
 The largest attendances were 500, at Washington Chapter, 
 Salem, on its hundredth anniversary, and 475 at St. Paul's Chap- 
 ter, Boston, on reception of Travelling Triangle. Out of the 82 
 Chapters in Massachusetts, 62 have been honored during the 
 past three years by holding Grand offices, elective or appointive. 
 Of the twenty remaining 6 are new Chapters, leaving only 14 un- 
 provided for, temporarily. 
 
 12 
 
ATTENDANCE AT GRAND CHAPTER 
 
 Not a single Chapter has incurred the penalty of the law for 
 non-attendance at Grand Chapter Convocations. On the contrary, 
 sixteen Chapters have been represented at every regular convoca- 
 tion during the past three years, namely : 
 
 Adoniram, New Bedford Reading, Reading 
 
 Bancroft, Ayer St. Mark's, Taunton 
 
 Concord, S. Framingham St. Paul's, Boston 
 
 Keystone, Foxborough St. Stephen's, Quincy 
 
 King Hiram, Attlebor'gh Tabernacle, Walden 
 
 Menotomy, Arlington Waverly, Melrose 
 
 Mystic, Medford Woburn, Woburu 
 
 Norfolk, Hyde Park Worcester, Worcester 
 
 Bethsaida, of Everett, alone of the new Chapters, has been rep- 
 resented at every convocation since institution. 
 
 Twenty-one other Chapters have been absent one convocation 
 only during the three years. 
 
 Nine Chapters have missed all three convocations so far this year. 
 
 AS TO MORE CHAPTERS 
 
 With the membership in Blue Lodges growing so rapidly, some 
 of the Chapters are also growing very large, too large and 
 unwieldy properly to conserve the best Masonic interests of their 
 communities ; too large to have even their own members meet 
 together in comfort on special occasions ; and within a few years 
 they should wisely take action themselves, within their own num- 
 bers, and, as a loving mother for a beloved child, to form new 
 Chapters. 
 
 Several of the larger Chapters are in mill towns, where local 
 conditions may be at present adverse. But in Springfield I doubt 
 very much whether Morning Star Chapter, with 702 members, in 
 a city of homes, with over 90,000 population, with all the best 
 efforts of able and efficient officers who are devoted to the Rite, 
 can possibly properly give the service to which such a rich and 
 
 la 
 
thriving city is fairly entitled. One black ball in that great city 
 will keep any man out of the Chapter ! They added 43 new meoa- 
 bers this year ; many more applied. 
 
 As I have heretofore repeatedly urged upon this Chapter, I 
 would again ask their careful attention to this matter, that they 
 themselves organize and wisely foster a new Chapter in Spring- 
 field within the next few years ; a daughter who, in time to come, 
 will worthily share in the proud and honorable history and tradi- 
 tions of the Ancient Mother Chapter. One large Chapter is 
 better on many accounts than two weak ones, but in my opinion 
 two good Chapters will better serve a large community, as in 
 Worcester, than any single Chapter, no matter how large. 
 
 LETTERS TO DEPUTIES AND CHAPTERS 
 
 On January 15 I issued to the fifteen District Deputy Grand 
 High Priests a full letter of instruction, substantially as in pre- 
 vious years (vide page 104, Proceedings 1910; page 99, Pro- 
 ceedings 1911). 
 
 On March 30 I issued the following letter to the Chapters, to 
 be read in Chapter session. It speaks for itself : — 
 
 To the Royal Arch Chapter of the Obedience of the Grand Royal Arch 
 Chapter of Massachusetts : 
 
 GREETING 
 
 The following errors are noted in the Annual Report of Proceedings 
 of the Grand Chapter for the year 1911 : — 
 
 1. Page 44. List of Grand Representatives of other Grand Chapters 
 near the Grand Chapter of Massachusetts. 
 
 R. •. E. •. John L. Stone, of Marlborough, is the Grand Representative 
 of tlie Grand Chapter of Mississippi, instead of R. •. E.-. Frank E. Wing. 
 
 2. Page 129. Auditing Committee. 
 
 E.-. William Martin, of Winchester, was appointed on this Committee, 
 December, 1910, in place of E.-. James S. Blake, who was at that time 
 appointed D. •. D. •. G. •. H. ■. P.*. for the 1st District. 
 
 NEW APPOINTMENTS 
 
 M.'. P].-. Frederick T. Comee, Past Grand High Priest, is hereby ap- 
 pointed "Committee on Foreign Correspondence," in place of M. •. E.*. 
 
 14 
 
J. Gilman Waite, who resigned January 24, 1912, after reappointment, 
 after fourteen yeara' faithful service. 
 
 Grand Representatives near the Grand Chapter of Massachusetts. 
 
 The names of the following have been forwarded for appointment : — 
 
 E.-. Edward P. Hatch, of Newtonville, for the Grand Chapter of Nova 
 Scotia, in place of R. •. E.-. James Downs, of Natick, deceased. 
 
 R.'. E.-. David T. Montague, of Somerville, for the Grand Chapter of 
 Rhode Island, in place of R. •. E. •. Herbert F. Morse, deceased. 
 
 E. •. Charles W. Godfrey, of Fitchburg, for the Grand Chapter of Utah, 
 in exchange of courtesies. 
 
 COMMITTEE ON CHAPTER BANNER 
 
 To consider and report to the Grand Chapter as to adopting a Chapter 
 banner : — 
 
 M.-. E.-. Warren B. Ellis, Past Grand High Priest. 
 
 E.-. George C. Thacher, High Priest of St. Paul's Royal Arch Chapter, 
 Boston. 
 
 E. •. Lewis M. Witherell, Past High Priest of St. Mark's Royal Arch 
 Chapter, Taunton. (Past District Deputy Grand High Priest, 3d 
 District.) 
 
 PAST DEGREE 
 
 Recently hearing that in a large Chapter near Boston the Past Degree 
 had been worked in a riotous manner, I cited the High Priest before me 
 to show cause why charges should not be preferred against him for viola- 
 tion of his oath of office in permitting such actions. He pleaded igno- 
 rance of the law, as his principal excuse. He is now on probation, and a 
 Grand officer will attend every meeting of his Chapter. In order that 
 no other High Priest, nor any officer, nor member of any Chapter within 
 this Commonwealth, may hereafter plead such ignorance, your attention 
 is called to the following : — 
 
 By-Laws of Grand Chapter, page 63 of "Grand Constitution and 
 Digest," edition 1902. 
 
 " Standard work : Every Chapter shall practise the work as 
 adopted by this Grand Chapter and exemplified by the Grand 
 Lecturers. The ritual of the degree of Past Master shall be con- 
 fined exclusively to the text as laid down by the Grand Chapter, 
 and shall be conferred without any intermission or interruption 
 in the order of progression. In tlie Royal Arch Degree the 
 candidates for exaltation shall be under the exclusive control of 
 the proper officers and without interference by any other person. 
 Any Chapter wilfully violating these provisions shall be subject 
 to discipline." 
 As Grand High Priest, endeavoring to obey the laws, and believing, as 
 I do, that such actions, like millstones, have weighed down the Capitular 
 
 15 
 
Rite for many years, and to a large degree destroyed its dignity and in- 
 fluence, I ask your co-operation to utterly stamp out this evil. Such 
 practices have driven away from us our best and most worthy ; they 
 cater only to the unthinking and undesirable. 
 
 All High Priests will be held personally responsible for control of their 
 Chapters at all times. During the working of the degree no outside in- 
 terference, no motions of any kind, no roughness, undue levity or coarse- 
 ness is to be permitted. There is just as much warrant for similar 
 interruption in the very middle of the Most Excellent. Our beautiful 
 Capitular Kite has lived, in spite of these terrible drawbacks ; relieved 
 from tlieir humiliations, it has a future of marvellous promise before it. 
 Bear in mind always that only the officers can take part ; that no mem- 
 ber, not even a Past High Priest as such, can interfere in the degree work 
 at any time in the Past or Royal Arch Degrees. 
 
 Companions, let us bring our beautiful Rite up to the high standard it 
 deserves, that it may indeed be the ancient " Holy Royal Arch." Let 
 us work all our degrees witli as much dignity and solemnity as if they 
 were church services ; let us forever eliminate everything unworthy of 
 true Masonry ; let us strive to exemplify in the Chapter hall and in our 
 lives and homes the sublime teachings of God that Masonry represents. 
 Then shall our Great Temple be filled with the spirit of true worship and 
 the blessing of God rest upon us. 
 
 Fraternally yours, 
 
 Charles Dana Burrage, 
 Boston, March 30, 1912. Grand High Priest. 
 
 Late in August I called further attention to the subject by 
 issuing the following letter to the Chapters : — 
 
 0f HaaHarljUBrttH 
 
 Wffxtt of tilt dranb ^xg,i\ fri^at 
 
 To the District Deputy Grand High Priests of the Grand Royal Arch 
 Chapter of Massachusetts : 
 
 In the spring a circular letter was sent to every Chapter referring to a 
 violation of the By-Laws (Page 53) relating to the Past Degree. 
 
 I regret that I have good reason to believe that several Chapters have 
 been at fault in the same manner, and have permitted serious variations 
 from the Ritual. 
 
 16 
 
To make the position of the Grand Chapter perfectly clear, every Dis- 
 ti'ict Deputy Grand High Priest is hereby instructed : — 
 
 To exercise special supervision over the Chapters in his District 
 on all workings of the Past and Royal Arch Degrees, and 
 
 Upon any violation of the By-Laws of the Grand Chapter, even 
 in the slightest matter, if it involve making of motions or any un- 
 authorized participation by members, at once to. refer the matter 
 to the Grand High Priest, with such particular information as will 
 enable charges to be made against the High Priest presiding, and 
 also to procure and bring to the Grand High Priest the Charter of 
 the offending Chapter, for action by the Grand Chapter. 
 
 By order of 
 
 CHARLES DANA BURRAGE, 
 
 Grand High Priest. 
 Attest : 
 
 J. GILMAN WAITE, 
 
 Grand Secretary. 
 
 After all this I learned recently, with regret, that an old and 
 large Chapter some fifty miles from Boston had always used, and 
 was now using, a Master's hat in the Past Degree, although 
 scrupulously observing all other requirements of the Grand Chap- 
 ter. After summons to the High Priest and hearing, this Chapter, 
 to save suspension of its Charter, has promised in writing, through 
 its High Priest, never again to infringe the law even in its slight- 
 est particulars. 
 
 All other Chapters may well bear in mind that the use of the 
 hat is absolutely forbidden in Chapters at all times as well as all 
 unusual forms of paraphernalia in the Royal Arch. 
 
 VISITS TO OTHER GRAND CHAPTERS 
 
 Receiving a cordial invitation from M.*. E.*. Grand High Priest 
 John Lynch to attend the Annual Convocation of the Grand Royal 
 Arch Chapter of New Hampshire on May 14th, I was unable to 
 attend, and R.-. E.*. David T. Montague, Grand King, and R.-. E.*. 
 Alfred H. Nash, Grand Scribe, went in my stead, reporting a warm 
 welcome and generous hospitality. 
 
 On the same day the Annual Convocation of the Grand Royal 
 Arch Chapter of Connecticut was also held, to which I was also 
 invited by M.*. E.-. George R. Morris, Grand High Priest. The 
 Deputy Grand High Priest, R.'. E.-. Charles H. Preston, attended 
 
 17 
 
in my place and was received with greetings of respect and warm 
 affection. 
 
 In August I attended an informal outing given by M.'. E.*. 
 Herbert Bliss, Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch 
 Chapter of Rhode Island, at Newport, R. I., when some thirty- 
 five members of the Grand Chapter were present. The Massachu- 
 setts delegation was received and entertained royally. 
 
 On September 5th I visited the Grand Holy Royal Arch 
 Chapter of Pennsylvania in quarterly session, accompanied by 
 M.-. E.-. Harry Hunt, Past Grand High Priest, and E.-. A. P. 
 Calder, Grand Royal Arch Captain. We were received by 
 M.*. E.*. A. G. Criswell Smith, Grand High Priest, and party of 
 Grand officers, taken in autos to Valley Forge, and over the 
 Reservation, We placed a wreath brought for the purpose from 
 Massachusetts at the Massachusetts tablet to her dead ; also, 
 another wreath in the name of this Grand Chapter at the grave 
 of Franklin, in Philadelphia. We were entertained at dinner at 
 the Art Club, attended a banquet at six, were introduced to the mem- 
 bers of the Grand Chapter at an informal reception, and, later, form- 
 ally in full session. The hospitality and fraternal care of our Penn- 
 sylvania Companions were overwhelming in thoughtful courtesy. 
 
 I sincerely hope that the Masonic relations between Pennsyl- 
 vania and Massachusetts may become as closely cordial as the 
 sincerity of our recent visits to each other presages. 
 
 GENERAL GRAND ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER 
 
 Owing to the date of our September Quarterly Convocation 
 coming on the same day as that of the Triennial Convocation of the 
 General Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the United States (Sep- 
 tember 10) none of the Grand Council were able to attend, but a 
 large delegation of Past Grand High Priests went to Indianapolis 
 from Massachusetts. 
 
 Past Grand High Priest J. Albert Blake was elected General 
 Grand Royal Arch Captain of the General Grand Royal Arch 
 Chapter, and also M.*. P.-. General Grand Master of the General 
 Grand Council, graceful and deserved tributes both to him and to 
 Massachusetts. 
 
 18 
 
DEPUTIES AND GRAND OFFICERS 
 
 To the District Deputy Grand High Priests who have labored 
 with such exceeding zeal, to all the Grand officers who have 
 served with me I give hearty and most grateful thanks. 
 
 Again I would commend to you E.-. Edward P. Hatch, Grand 
 Captain of the Host, for unequalled service in patient, generous 
 loyalty ; again I acknowledge in gratitude the eager response by 
 hundreds of Chapter officers, past and present, to serve upon my 
 suite at visitations. 
 
 The Deputies without exception report increased interest, at- 
 tendance and enthusiasm among the Chapters, an awakening to 
 a larger appreciation of the beauties and dignity of our Rite, more 
 benefit and better results from annual exemplifications ; not one 
 reports weakness (except that one protests the election of an in- 
 efficient High Priest) ; many of them have been extremely pains- 
 taking in their care of their districts, visiting every Chapter sev- 
 eral times during the year, and all accompanying the Grand High 
 Priest on all visitations within their own districts, and on many 
 outside. Every Deputy, I believe, has installed the officers of 
 one or more Chapters in his district — a wonderful record. 
 
 The Grand Lecturers deserve your warmest appreciation and 
 heartiest thanks, for they have carried on the work so well begun 
 by their predecessors in equally loyal and unselfish manner, until 
 today the degree work of the Chapters is quite uniform and accu- 
 rate, and is dignified and impressive as rendered in every Chapter 
 in the Commonwealth. They have proved indeed pillars of wis- 
 dom and strength to the Grand Chapter and Grand High Priest 
 during my three-year term. To all the High Priests and officers 
 of all the Chapters who, without exception, have received me as 
 the official head of the Grand Chapter with exceeding courtesy 
 and generous fraternity I am most grateful, for to me always here- 
 after Capitular Masonry will appear so much greater, stronger, 
 richer; my soul is uplifted in keener appreciation of the grandeur 
 of its high destiny. 
 
 Of the present Grand Representatives of other Grand Chapters 
 near our Grand Chapter thirteen are Past High Priests who are 
 not permanent members of the Grand Chapter. It seems to me 
 
 19 
 
GRAND REPRESENTATIVES 
 
 that it would greatly conduce to increased attendance and interest 
 in our Grand Chapter Convocations, in these later years of 
 strength and activity, if these appointments were not given here- 
 after so largely to those who are already permanent members and 
 therefore entitled by right to be called " R.-. E.-. Companion," 
 but instead a larger number were given to earnest aspiring work- 
 ers, among whom are the future officers and permanent members 
 of this Grand Chapter. 
 
 For one, I am entirely willing to forego the honor that some 
 deserving hard working District Deputy or Past High Priest may 
 have it during the interval before he may be called to further ser- 
 vice, and I therefore request the incoming Grand High Priest to 
 recommend for appointment some one in my place. 
 
 During 1910 the Grand Chapters of Iowa, Kansas and New 
 Zealand were not represented at any of the four convocations. 
 
 In 1911, South Carolina was so unrepresented. 
 
 In 1912, Georgia, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Carolina, 
 South Carolina, South Dakota and Texas have not been repre- 
 sented at any of the three convocations so far held, but may be today. 
 
 Owing to the long illness, ending in the recent greatly regretted 
 death, of Right Excellent Edward J. Sartelle, Wisconsin has not 
 been represented at convocations for several years. The Grand 
 Representatives of the following Grand Chapters have attended 
 every convocation of this Grand Chapter during the years 1910, 
 1911, 1912 to date: Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Maryland, 
 Nebraska, Quebec. 
 
 The following missed one convocation only: Arizona, Dela- 
 ware, Maine, Missouri, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Virginia. 
 
 RECOMMENDATIONS 
 
 After my experience for three years as Grand High Priest I 
 would earnestly and thoughtfully make the following recommenda- 
 tions to my successor, to the Chapters and to the Grand Chapter : 
 To my successor, in his wise discretion, I would recommend : 
 That, above all else, he be insistent in the enforcement of the 
 laws relating to the Past and Royal Arch Degrees. 
 
 20 
 
That he continue the card system at the door for all Grand 
 Chapter Convocations. 
 
 That he continue to invite all Past High Priests and Secretaries 
 to all Grand Chapter Convocations. 
 
 That he have annual exemplifications of two degrees in every 
 district. 
 
 That he have occasional special exemplifications in the 10th and 
 12th Districts on account of the distances from Boston. 
 
 That he request the Deputy Grand High Priest, Grand King 
 and Grand Scribe to visit in the spring, each year, such Chapters, 
 not exceeding seven each, as may be assigned by the Grand High 
 Priest, to the end that every Chapter in the Commonwealth may 
 be visited at least once during each period of, say, five years, by a 
 member of the Grand Council, in addition to the annual formal 
 inspection in the fall by the District Deputy. 
 
 That he continue the division of the Commonwealth into at 
 least fifteen districts, for the greater convenience and advantage of 
 everybody concerned. 
 
 That he cause at least 800 copies of the Reports of Proceedings 
 to be printed each year, that one copy may be sent to each Chap- 
 ter for preservation for use by the members. 
 
 To the Chapters I would recommend : — 
 
 To pay more attention to the history and traditions of Masonry 
 through addresses and lectures. 
 
 To work some degree at every Convocation, whether there be 
 a candidate or not. 
 
 To appoint permanent committees on the degree lectures, and 
 cause these lectures to be delivered often. 
 
 To lessen the cost of banquets by serving simple food only. 
 
 To establish permanent funds in every Chapter. 
 
 Always to maintain the sacred flag of our country displayed in 
 the Chapter hall as a symbol of that loyalty that is one of the 
 great attributes of a Mason. 
 
 To cause all Grand Chapter Convocations to be attended by 
 Chapter officers for the benefit of the fraternal acquaintanceship 
 made there, thus leading to more visits between Chapters and their 
 members, — a result to be desired. To support your officers loyally 
 
 21 
 
and with abiding zeal, for they are all, practically without excep- 
 tion, laboring most earnestly for the best interests of the institution. 
 
 To send copies of your notices of meetings more freely, as to 
 all Grand officers in office. Past Grand High Priests, and as 
 many High Priests of other Chapters as convenient, because such 
 publicity will inevitably attract larger numbers of desirable visit- 
 ors, and thus add to the value and dignity of our beautiful 
 Capitular Rite. 
 
 To the Grand Chapter I recommend to enact into law the 
 following : — 
 
 That every Chapter be required to have a duplicate Charter for 
 current use. 
 
 That a committee be appointed by the Grand High Priest to 
 draft a report to be submitted to the Grand Chapter prescribing 
 the shape, form, colors and permissible symbols and other adorn- 
 ments of the Royal Arch apron to be worn in all Chapters under 
 the obedience of this Grand Chapter in order that there may be 
 proper uniformity. 
 
 That every Chapter be required to provide proper care for the 
 Annual Reports of Proceedings. 
 
 That hereafter all Chapters purchasing new costumes or para- 
 phernalia shall first submit designs therefor to the Grand High 
 Priest and obtain his approval. 
 
 That every Past High Priest who has served as District 
 Deputy Grand High Priest for two full terms of one year each 
 shall thereafter be entitled to the courtesy title of '' Excellent 
 Past Deputy " (or other distinctive title), with the right to receive 
 notices of and attend all Grand Chapter Convocations, without, 
 however, either voice or vote. 
 
 That (in courtesy to our Sister Grand Chapters several of 
 whom grant their Grand Representatives the title of Right Excel- 
 lent) all Grand Representatives of other Grand Chapters near the 
 Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Massachusetts while holding such ap- 
 pointment be given the courtesy title of Right Excellent Companion. 
 
 Further, because many of our Chapters are growing so large in 
 the number of their members, because there is an increasing 
 number of fraternal visits by Companions to other Chapters, and 
 
 22 
 
because there is increasing abuse of these privileges, all tending to 
 throw undue responsibility upon the Tylers, and further, because 
 reports from the Chapters show quite uniform laxness in collec- 
 tion of dues, I strongly recommend the adoption of a regulation 
 by this Grand Chapter substantially as follows : — 
 
 " Every member of a subordinate Chapter, except honorary and 
 life members, and such officers who are or may be exempted by 
 the By-Laws of a subordinate Chapter from the payment of dues, 
 shall pay to the Secretary of such subordinate Chapter of which 
 he is a member the sum specified in the By-Laws to be paid an- 
 nually by every member for the support of the Chapter, upon pay- 
 ment of which the Secretary of such subordinate Chapter shall, on 
 the first day of January in each year, issue to him (as well as to 
 each honorary and life member and officer as aforesaid) a ' good 
 standing card ' for the current year, which card must be shown to 
 the Tyler before being admitted into any subordinate Chapter." 
 
 The form of such card shall be substantially as follows : — 
 
 ROYAL ARCH CHAPTER 
 
 OF 
 
 g This is to certify that Companion 
 
 g is a member of Royal Arch Chapter 
 
 S and declared to be in good and regular standing during 
 the year 
 
 Secretary. 
 
 The need of such legislation is clearly shown by the fact that 
 the adoption of such a card system caused an immediate drop in 
 attendance (by members behind in dues, unaffiliated, and others 
 not entitled) to the number of over one hundred in one Masonic 
 body in Boston alone. There is also no question but that it would 
 
 28 
 
greatly lighten the work of secretaries, and assist to solve many 
 present problenQS for Chapters. I am informed, and have reason 
 to believe, that at the present time many former members of 
 Chapters who have been suspended for non-payment of dues con- 
 tinue to visit other Chapters than their own, having formerly been 
 vouched for. The proposed card would absolutely prevent such 
 practices. 
 
 Further, because there is an increasing practice among Chap- 
 ters, especially in the vicinity of Boston, of having their candi- 
 dates worked by other Chapters, in order to shorten the time 
 usually required to take all four degrees, and no records are now 
 available as to the extent of this practice ; and further believing 
 it should be controlled by proper authority, I recommend that the 
 Chapters be forbidden to work degrees upon candidates of other 
 Chapters ; unless a dispensation permitting such action shall be 
 previously obtained from the Grand High Priest. 
 
 I further recommend : That, Chapters shall not, except under 
 dispensation from the Grand High Priest, work any degrees 
 outside of their own Chapter hall. 
 
 That the sum of five dollars shall be paid to the Grand Chap- 
 ter, through the Grand Secretary, by Chapters for every dispensa- 
 tion obtained for any purpose, except for exemplifications, to use 
 other halls in case of fire or repairs ; or to hold elections to fill 
 vacancies in office caused by death, all of which shall be issued 
 without charge. 
 
 That the Grand Secretary shall report to the Grand Chapter at 
 the Annual Convocation each year a complete list of all dispensa- 
 tions issued during the year. 
 
 That every Chapter shall send to the Grand High Priest in 
 office copies of all notices of Chapter meetings issued by it at the 
 same time that they are sent to its own members. 
 
 Companions y the future of Capitular Masonry in Massachu- 
 setts lies in your hands. You are worthily upholding the ancient 
 faith of Washington, Franklin and Warren ; you may well be 
 proud of the high standards you maintain ; you may well face the 
 coming years with assured and abiding confidence. The great 
 Temple you have builded stands upon solid rock, unshaken by the 
 
 24 
 
tempest, mellowed and enriched by time, beautiful in the eyes of 
 men for the sculptured stories of fraternal sacrifices, heroisms and 
 self-denials of those who placed its ashlars, stone upon stone, until 
 its reaching spires touch the blue arch of heaven. As Royal Arch 
 Masons we are given a glorious task, to labor together in peace 
 and harmony under the Royal Arch until the divine teachings of 
 our ancient Craft shall speak through our lives of crystal clearness 
 to the unsatisfied seekers of truth outside the veils, until all the 
 thronging generations of men shall accept the Fatherhood of God 
 in our mystic, wonderful Brotherhood of Man. 
 
 Realizing the irresistible world-embracing power of Masonry as 
 a most potent force for bringing men of all conditions to an equality 
 before its altar ; its compelling influences for right living, affect- 
 ing so strongly the lives of its millions of clean-souled, charity- 
 working members ; its beautiful ceremonies, so appealing in their 
 ancient simplicity ; its jealous care for the widow and orphan, so 
 effective under the stars of night in silence and secrecy ; its silent 
 power for fraternal peace in every land and among all the nations ; 
 its untold and unknowable value in healing the wounds of fratri- 
 cidal war; so realizing, I humble my soul before the glories of our 
 mysteries ; I see the Mystic Rainbow, as a Royal Arch of Promise, 
 reflecting the golden splendor of the dawn, fateful symbol of the 
 countless centuries of the destiny of our ancient Institution, yet 
 awaiting the unfolding of the prescience of the Jehovah of the 
 Chosen People, the Father, Omniscient, Omnipotent, Omnipresent, 
 whose " path the whirlwind is, whose breath the storm." Even 
 as Richard of the Lion Heart before Jerusalem, I would say to 
 Masonry, glorious mistress of the hearts of men : 
 
 " O thou, more beautiful than all the dower 
 Of all the ages, yet more sad than fair, 
 Upon thine ancient throne in queenly wise 
 Still thou dost wait thy day ; of amethyst 
 And sapphire is J,hy crown of hills ; thy veil 
 The gold-spun glory of a thousand clouds." 
 
 From " Richard I before Jerusalem" Newdigate prize poem, 
 Oxford, 1912, hy William Chase Greene, Harvard-Rhodes 
 Scholar, 
 
 25 
 
Address on Receiving Flag 
 
 On receiving flag presented to St. John's Royal Arch 
 Chapter, East Boston, by its Past High Priests, March 25, 
 1912. 
 
 Most Excellent High Priest Chick and Companions of St. John's 
 Royal Arch Chapter : — 
 
 I thank you for this privilege, this proud and grateful privilege 
 of receiving, on behalf of your loyal Chapter of Royal Arch 
 Masons, this splendid and beautiful flag of our Country ; this 
 sacred and inspiring emblem of our Fatherland ; this glorious 
 symbol of the soul's highest aspirations in love of Country ; this 
 visible expression of the triumph of Liberty under Law ; this 
 wondrous flag of Freemen, which was baptized on the battlefields 
 of the Revolution, under Washington, the dying sun casting upon 
 its war worn, tattered fabric reflections of the coming glories of 
 the centuries that yet lay in the hand of God. 
 
 Its defiant standard stood by Gen. Lincoln as he, in turn, the 
 conquered become the conqueror, received the sword of Corn- 
 wallis ; its starry folds flying free on the ships of Lawrence, 
 Decatur and Paul Jones, as upheld by their gallantry and in- 
 trepid deeds of knightly daring, compelled the reluctant admira- 
 tion of Britain's bravest ; it waved over the decks of the brave 
 old Constitution as she swept the seas, unconquered, the speaking 
 symbol of our free, young American giant Nation, just awakening 
 to the realization of its strength, its unlimited wealth of resources, 
 its boundless capacities for good, its marvelous promise of oppor- 
 tunity to the weak and the oppressed of all the world. 
 
 Side by side with the Masonic Lone Star flag of Texas, it was 
 caught up from the Alamo, to be borne across the mountains and 
 valleys of Mexico to the ancient city of Montezuma ; side by side 
 with the " Bear Flag " of Fremont, at Sonoma, it was kissed, 
 joyously and in happy omen, by the golden sunshine of California ; 
 carried by Whitman to the Oregon, an empire was won to its pro- 
 tecting care. 
 
 26 
 
Nailed to the mast of the Hartford as she passed the forts, and 
 of the Kearsarge as she met the Alabama ; with Hooker among 
 the clouds at Lookout Mountain, with Sherman to the sea, with 
 Sheridan on the Shenandoah, and with Grant at Appomattox ; 
 today the last rays of the setting sun still linger lovingly on this 
 flag of Empire drooping low above the roofs of Manila, where 
 Dewey placed it, even as the first hurrying scarlet forerunner of 
 Dawn leaps across the Atlantic surges, to the Caribbean Isles, to 
 welcome the Stars and Stripes, flying where once the banner of 
 Columbus and of Spain cast its ominous shadow ; sending its mes- 
 sage of forgiveness — not of forgetting — to the flag nailed to the 
 masthead of the " Maine " as, after fourteen years of waiting, she 
 sinks gloriously to her honored grave in the ocean's depths. 
 
 The story of the flag of the United States is the story of the 
 Nation. 
 
 Its field of brilliant stars, representing our sovereign States, 
 recalls also the glory and mystery of the constellations of God, 
 ever silently revolving above us ; its blue reflects the azure of the 
 heavenly arch, symbolizing the peace of immortality and the 
 omnipotence of the Most High ; its scarlet stripes are dark with 
 the life blood of heroes who died that we might have liberty ; its 
 mystic white has been washed clean and pure by the tears of their 
 widows and orphans; weeping while a nation was born, was saved 
 from itself, was won again and a race made free. 
 
 In my first year as Grand High Priest I earnestly recom- 
 mended to all our Chapters to keep the National Flag always dis- 
 played in the Chapter Hall, believing that its presence would ever 
 be an inspiration, its influence powerful to promote patriotism ; 
 saying : *♦ If ever the angry heads of Anarchy and Disunion shall 
 be raised to threaten the life of our great nation, in our ancient 
 institution will be found one of the most important bulwarks of 
 national defence, a most potent force of conservatism and un- 
 yielding loyalty, founded upon and growing out of its profound 
 love and reverence for God, as the great architect of the Universe." 
 
 Although the Grand Chapter of California has refused to 
 recommend similar action, on account of the polyglot or cosmo- 
 politan character of her population, 1 am confident that she is 
 
 27 
 
wrong. Masonry, during its centuries of life, has ever meant 
 loyalty, the loyalty of every member to his fellows, to his craft, 
 to his country, and his country's flag, to his God. 
 
 In the ancient charges one of the first and important ones is 
 " ye shall be true to the King." Remember, too, that no Mason 
 is compelled even to conceal treason ; so the flag of the country 
 may well have its abiding-place, loved and honored, as the sym- 
 bol of loyalty, in every Masonic body ; its expressive eloquence 
 of " God — our Country — Liberty " ever speaking to our very 
 souls as we kneel, with humble and contrite hearts, before our 
 holy altar. Massachusetts vies with California in the diverse 
 origin of her people, yet in every Chapter within her borders that 
 I have yet visited, 62 in number, I have found the Stars and 
 Stripes displayed in honor, pride and reverence. 
 
 When, in a foreign land, our longing eyes see the red, white 
 and blue of its dear remembered folds waving in the free air of 
 Heaven, their message of home comes straight to the heart with 
 a thrill that is almost ecstatic in its intensity, and we recall, with 
 tears of grateful pride, the long records of heroic sufferings, sacri- 
 fices and deeds of valor they symbolize to us. Therefore, Excel- 
 lent Companions, Past High Priests of St. John's Royal Arch 
 Chapter, you do well to present, in generous affection and true 
 patriotism, this splendid and costly banner to your Chapter. 
 
 With grateful, thankful and rejoicing hearts we accept it, vow- 
 ing anew our lives' allegiance, pledging, as did our fathers a cen- 
 tury and more ago, our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor 
 to its service, upholding and defence ; our loyalty to Masonry 
 strengthened by its silent yet eloquent presence. 
 
 Recalling its manifold glories and beauties, may we not well 
 say, with Drake, 
 
 " When Freedom from her mountain height 
 Unfurled her standard to the air. 
 She tore the azure robe of night 
 And set the stars of glory there ; 
 She mingled with its gorgeous dyes 
 The milky baldric of the skies ; 
 And striped its pure celestial white 
 With streakings of the morning light. 
 
 28 
 
' Flag of the free hearts' hope and home 
 By angel hands to valor given, 
 Thy stars have lit the welkin dome, 
 And all thy hues were born in Heaven. 
 Forever float that standard sheet ! 
 Where breathes the foe but falls before us, 
 With Freedom's soil beneath our feet 
 And Freedom's banner streaming o'er us ! " 
 
 29 
 
Address Delivered in 1911-12 
 
 The Meaning and Symbolism of Capitular Masonry 
 
 The following address Was delivered by Grand High 
 Priest Burrage in 1911-1912, before Royal Arch Chapters 
 at Lowell, Chicopee Falls, Hyde Park, Cambridge, Ips- 
 wich, Stoughton, West Harwich, New Bedford, Ames- 
 bury, Newburyport, Winchendon, Athol, Pittsfield, Great 
 Barrington, Nantucket, Southbridge, Haverhill, Millbury, 
 Whitinsville and Palmer. 
 
 Moit Excellent High Priest, Companions of Royal Arch Chapter, 
 and Friends: — 
 
 Here in the East of your Chapter Hall, before the Scarlet ban- 
 ner of Zeal that so fitly symbolizes our beautiful Capitular Rite, 
 as we review that splendid pageant of unselfish deeds of fraternity 
 that represents the centuries-old story of Masonry, may we not 
 well pause for a moment, to recall the meaning of the lessons, the 
 significance of the heart appeals in the teachings of God, that in 
 all our degrees keep equal step with the unfolding of the myster- 
 ies ? For is it not true, my Companions, that if we fail to obtain 
 substantial benefit in the strengthening of our moral principles as 
 the impressive panorama of our degrees passes slowly before our 
 eyes, it is because we leave at the threshold of the Chapter Hall, 
 and do not carry into our homes and lives, those sublime truths of 
 Charity, obedience to the laws of God, and reverence for His 
 Great and Holy Name that are so powerfully presented to us in 
 these mystic rites ? 
 
 Does not the ancient lesson of the " Mark," in its limpid clear- 
 ness and beautiful simplicity, stamp upon your soul, as with a 
 heated die of brass, the true meaning of Charity, the glory of that 
 star that is gleaming so radiantly above the new Masonic Home 
 on the hill at Charlton to illumine the whole Commonwealth ? 
 Do you not bend low your heads in adoration of the Most High, 
 as with humble and contrite hearts you witness the magnificent 
 ceremonial of the Most Excellent ? 
 
 30 
 
And, when at last, as a Royal Arch Companion, you write 
 your name " under the keystone," do you not, in the depths of 
 your heart, renew your vows to endeavor to make your own char- 
 acter as pure, clean, and white as its mystic, virgin whiteness ? 
 
 In ancient Persian writings we read, 
 
 " God will not seek thy race, 
 Nor will he ask thy birth ; 
 Alone will he demand of thee, 
 What hast thou done on earth ? " 
 
 Masonry assists you to answer that question, and in its abiding 
 influence for good, among all its intimate and compelling compan- 
 ionships, has for generations, aye for many centuries, justified its 
 existence. Its essential attribute is character, and therefore in 
 its insistent calls to the Soul of Man lie its value as well as its 
 charm. 
 
 So, were the Royal Arch Degree alone all of Capitular 
 Masonry, it would still grip the hearts of its followers by its 
 appeal, for, does it not contain the most powerful sermon against 
 profanity to which man ever listened ? Who is there among us 
 who has not thrilled with the sublimity, the clear-cut intensity of 
 its teachings? Not long ago, in a western city, three hundred 
 men, at a meeting, agreed to give up the use of profane language. 
 We know they were Masons ; we believe they must have been 
 Chapter Masons ; taught in the Chapter, with all its beauty, 
 power and impressiveness, to reverence the Sacred Name of God. 
 
 A few years ago, late one summer afternoon, I heard the quick 
 double explosions of the powder mills at Acton, twenty-five miles 
 distant, where several men were blown to fragments. The next 
 day, at Concord, four miles away, there came slowly fluttering 
 down on the stones of the prison yard at the Reformatory a 
 charred fragment of a leaf from a pocket Bible, containing, in 
 part, that magnificent inspired prose poem in the last Chapter of 
 Ecclesiastes, so dear and so familiar to every Mason. 
 
 31 
 
* * * u jjj ^Y^Q ^^y when the keepers of the house shall 
 tremble * ♦ * and the grinders cease because they are few, 
 and those that look out of the windows be darkened, and the 
 doors shall be shut in the streets, when the sound of the grinding 
 is low, and he shall rise up at the voice of the bird, and all the 
 daughters of music shall be brought low, * * * or ever the 
 silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher 
 be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern ; 
 then shall the dust return to the earth as it was, and the spirit 
 shall return unto God who gave it." The Right Excellent Com- 
 panion who received this leaflet from the explosion has always 
 believed that it came from the very person of one of the victims. 
 May we not, as Masons, recall the mystic allusions in those bril- 
 liant word images, for to us, as Masons, "the keepers of the 
 house are the shoulders, arms and hands of the human body ; 
 the grinders are the teeth ; those that look out of the windows 
 are the two eyes ; the doors are the lips ; the streets are the 
 mouth ; the sound of grinding is the noise of the voice ; the voice 
 of the bird is the crowing of the cock ; the daughters of music 
 are the two ears ; the silver cord is the string of the tongue ; the 
 golden bowl is the pia mater (the membrane enclosing the brain 
 and spinal cord) ; the pitcher at the fountain is the heart, the 
 fountain of life ; the wheel is the great artery ; and the cistern is 
 the left ventricle of the heart." Oliver. 
 
 Remembering the glories of our ancient craft, may we not rev- 
 erently say 
 
 " The burning bush is multiplied 
 A thousand fold to-day ; 
 The smile of God is on the hills, 
 The peace for which men pray." 
 
 Bottsford. 
 
 Masonry has absorbed, or taken to itself, a marvelous wealth 
 of symbols and emblems that, in their history, represent the high- 
 est aspirations of many ancient nations and religions. We have 
 time to consider a few only, belonging to the Chapter. 
 
 32 
 
Fig. I 
 
 Keystone 
 
 While in olden certificates of membership the Companion was 
 recited as having " written his name under the keystone," the key- 
 stone (Fig. 1) with all its beauty and significance, as wrought to 
 perfection by the engraver's chisel, is surpassed as a Chapter symbol 
 by the combined Circle, Triangle, and Triple Tau (Fig. 2), which 
 are the true emblems of Royal Arch Masonry. All three are 
 ancient symbols of religious faith, used in forgotten ages at the 
 dawn of civilization, when man first emerged from the savage 
 state, to symbolize eternity, immortality and the Deity. 
 
 Fig. 2 
 
 Circle, Triangle and Triple Tau 
 
 For the circle was originally the snake, with its tail in its 
 mouth, having neither beginning nor end, or eternity, and there- 
 fore also properly symbolizes the Almighty Father, who has 
 neither beginning nor end of days. 
 
 The equilateral triangle was originally the trowel. It repre- 
 sented the greatest and most abstruse mysteries, signifying equally 
 the Deity, Creation and fire. Upon it were taken the most solemn 
 
 33 
 
Fig. 3 
 
 Water Triangle 
 
 obligations — The Water Triangle, being the triangle inyerted, 
 resting on its point (Fig. 3) represented the good, kind and 
 merciful God. The Fire Triangle, resting on its base (Fig. 4), 
 represented the just and angry God. Because of its three equal 
 sides, and therefore equal angles, the equilateral triangle was in 
 ancient Masonry, particularly the symbol of the Trinity ; today it 
 represents to Royal Arch Masons the three equal essential attri- 
 butes of God, Omniscience, Omnipotence, and Omnipresence. 
 The five pointed star or Pentalpha (Fig. 5, five alphas or A's) is 
 the Pen tangle of Pythagoras, an ancient symbol of health, and re- 
 Fig. 4 
 
 Fire Tria] 
 
 fers to the five points of fellowship. The banner of Texas, the 
 Lone Star State, bears this Masonic five pointed star, which was 
 
 34 
 
Fig. 5 
 
 Pentalpha. 5 Points 
 
 adopted because of its Masonic associations. The Chapter, or 
 Companion's jewel, the six-pointed Star (Fig. 6) and (Fig. 6 A) 
 is a double triangle, formed by placing the water triangle upon 
 and interlacing with the fire triangle. It is called the shield of 
 David, or the seal of Solomon, and is the symbol of the perfect 
 Godhead in all His attributes and works. As an ancient Christian 
 symbol it represented the two natures of Jehovah, the God-man. 
 
 This six pointed star or double triangle is one of the most 
 striking and beautiful symbols belonging to Royal Arch Masonry. 
 
 Fig. 6 
 
 6Poinu 
 
 In ancient Chapters, as a symbol of Deity, it was wrought into the 
 carpet before the High Priest, and may be found as the special 
 
 35 
 
symbol of Royal Arch Masonry on the collars of officers in almost 
 every Chapter. It is also found upon the body of the Apron of 
 Royal Arch Masons, the circle, triangle and Triple Tau being 
 wrought upon the lap. 
 
 Fig. 6 (A) 
 
 The Grand Chapter jewel, or star of nine points, is formed of 
 three triangles, interlaced (Fig. 7) and was formerly a mystical 
 symbol of health, and therefore of prosperity. 
 
 Fig. 7 
 
 Grand Chapter Star. 9 Points 
 
 The equilateral triangle is also said to represent perfect friend- 
 ship ; the base a duty ; one side, sincerity of performance, the 
 other the advantages arising from such performance. 
 
 Because the triangle, like the circle, has neither beginning nor 
 end, it is also a symbol of eternity. In Hindu mythology the 
 
 36 
 
three sides of the sacred triangle referred to the Sacred Triad ; to 
 Brahma, the Creator, who, clad in robes of blue, sits in the East 
 to represent the rising sun ; to Vishnu, the Preserver, who sits in 
 the West to represent the settiug sun ; and to Siva, the dread De- 
 stroyer, who sits in the South to represent the meridian sun. 
 Brahma corresponds with Time ; Vishnu with Water ; Siva with 
 Fire. 
 
 The three sides of the equilateral triangle refer also to the sacred 
 number three; to the three officers of the Council; three degrees 
 in the lodge ; three pillars ; three ornaments ; three great lights 
 and three lesser ; three movable and three immovable jewels ; three 
 rounds to Jacob's ladder ; three ancient Grand Masters ; three prin- 
 cipal tenets, and innumerable other similar threes. 
 
 Fig. 8 
 
 I — ^1 II i 
 
 Jewel of Member of Order of High Priesthood 
 
 The triple triangle and the breastplate (Fig. 8) is properly the 
 jewel of an anointed High Priest, a member of the Order of High 
 Priesthood {vide also Figs. 22 and 23). * 
 
 * NoTB — The seal of the Grand Holy 
 Royal Arch Chapter of Pennsylvania is a 
 very beautiful illustration of the symbol- 
 ism of the triangle. It is a triple triangle, 
 and each side is given its proper value. 
 
 37 
 
Tau is the last character in the Hebrew alphabet, also a letter 
 in the Greek alphabet. The Tau Cross (Fig. 9), as a symbol, orig- 
 inated on the banks of the Nile, where it was customary, from 
 
 Fig. 9 
 
 T 
 
 Tau Cross 
 
 time immemorial, to mark the height of the annual life-preserving 
 flood by a movable float on an upright pole. From the certainty of 
 that annual overflow this symbol easily became adopted as the em- 
 blem of certainty ; therefore of eternity and of an All-ruling power. 
 
 Later, in the form of the Christian cross, it was sanctified and 
 consecrated on Calvary. It is said to have been the " mark *' 
 (Tau) of which we read in Ezekiel as placed upon those who 
 hated idolatry. 
 
 The Lord said to the Angel : 
 
 " Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jeru- 
 salem and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh 
 and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst 
 thereof." 
 
 And to the avenging Angel he said, 
 
 " Slay utterly * * * but come not near any man upon 
 whom is the mark." 
 
 This mark of Tau or Tau Cross was in ancient times set on 
 those who were acquitted by their judges, as a proof of their in- 
 nocence ; and military commanders caused it to be placed on 
 those who returned unhurt from battle, for it was ever deemed a 
 symbol of life. 
 
 Tau was also the monogram of Thoth, the symbolical name of 
 hidden wisdom among the Egyptians, and the Druids consecrated 
 trees by cutting Tau crosses in their bark. In its form Tau also 
 represents the Mason's level. 
 
 38 
 
Fig. 10 
 
 Triple Tau 
 
 As Tau is a symbol of Deity, so the Triple Tau (Fig. 10) was 
 in ancient Masonry, particularly a symbol of the Trinity. It is 
 said also to represent the three jewels, or T Squares, of our three 
 original Grand Masters. It also stands for the initial letters T 
 and H of Templum Hierosolymae, the Temple of Jerusalem. It 
 also represents the mystical union of Father and Son ; H — 
 Jehovah; T — cross — Son. It is also the monogram of Hiram 
 of Tyre (H and T), said to have been used by him as his " mark " 
 at the building of the Temple. It was also used by both Hindu 
 and Hebrew as a " mark " to set apart the elect, and, when the 
 wrath of the Lord slew the first born of the Egyptians, this was 
 the protecting sign upon the houses of the Israelites, made by 
 command of Moses, by striking with blood the two side posts and 
 upper door posts of the dwelling ; it is therefore used by Royal 
 Arch Masons to designate those set apart or consecrated, or those 
 who know the true name of God. 
 
 The triple Tau is also sometimes called '' Clavis ad Thesaurum," 
 " a key to a treasure, " for it has still further and peculiar signifi- 
 cance to the Royal Arch Mason. In former days there were six 
 lights in a Chapter; the three great lights arranged in a large tri- 
 angle, with the apex to the East, the three lesser in a small tri- 
 angle bisecting the three sides of the larger, forming four equi- 
 lateral triangles (Fig. 11) , symbolizing the four degrees of Entered 
 Apprentice, Fellow Craft, Master Mason, and Holy Royal Arch. 
 
 39 
 
Fig. II 
 
 Great Lights. Lesser Lights 
 
 This symbolical arrangement corresponds to the mysterious 
 triple Tau, T which has two right angles at each of its exterior 
 lines, and l"*Hi two others at their union in the centre, in all 
 eight — corresponding to the four triangles, for the three interior 
 angles of every triangle are together equal to two right angles, 
 the sum of the right angles of the four triangles being eight. 
 Therefore, every triangle resolved into its elements, or value in 
 right angles, = T (Triple Tau). With the aid of the triple 
 Tau as a key ^*^ therefore we read the ancient Chapter jewel 
 (Fig. 12) as forming, by its intersections, a given number of angles ; 
 
 Fig. 12 
 
 Companion's Jewel 
 
 40 
 
these may be taken in five combinations, which, reduced or re- 
 solved to their amount in right angles, will be found equal to the 
 five regular Platonic bodies, representing the four elements. Fire, 
 Air, Earth, Water and also the Universe.* That is, the small 
 
 Fig. 13 
 
 Tetrahedron 
 
 triangle, G. H. I. resolved into its elements = 4 equilateral tri- 
 angles = T (Triple Tau) r= 8 right angles. These are equal 
 to those ^™4 contained in a solid body called the Tetrahedron 
 (Fig. 13), contained under four equilateral triangles, each of 
 whose solid angles is formed by the union of three plane acute 
 angles, and on account of its lightness as well as its acute and 
 pyramidal form, represents the Platonic element of FIRE. 
 
 * Note — The Platonic theory was, that the Universe itself, as well as 
 its subordinate parts, both animate and inanimate, were created by the 
 Deity from the Four elements — Fire, Air, Water and Earth. It was 
 conceived according to this theory that all created matter must be both 
 visible and tangible. Now, considering Fire as the source of light, it is 
 plain that nothing can be visible without it ; and since nothing can be 
 tangible but what is solid, and that the earth is the most properly solid 
 of all the four elements, therefore all created matter was constituted of 
 Fire and Earth. 
 
 41 
 
Fig. 14 
 
 Octahedron 
 
 So the two larger triangles, water and fire (A. B. C. and D. E. 
 F.) resolved = 2 T (Triple Tau) = 16 right angles, equal in 
 amount to those ^*^ contained in the solid body called an Octa- 
 hedron (Fig. 14), contained under eight equilateral triangles, each 
 solid angle formed by the union of four plane acute angles, and 
 being next in lightness and acuteness to the Tetrahedron, repre- 
 sents the Platonic element of AIR. 
 
 Fig. 15 
 
 i 
 
 Cube 
 
 42 
 
The two larger and small central triangles, resolved,= 3 
 (Triple Tau) = 16 right angles, equal in amount to those 
 contained in the Cube (Fig. 15), a solid body contained by six 
 equal squares, each solid angle formed by the union of three 
 plane right angles. This body being next most substantial in 
 form, as well as firmest and most immovable on its base, repre- 
 sents the platonic element of EARTH. 
 
 So D. E ¥., the water triangle, divided into four equilateral 
 triangles and together with the triangle A. B, C, resolved =: 5 
 
 i (Triple Tau) = 40 right angles, equal in amount to those 
 contained in the Icosahedron (Fig. 16), a solid body bounded 
 
 Fig. 16 
 
 Icosahedron 
 
 by 20 equal equilateral triangles, each solid angle formed by the 
 union of five plane acute angles. This body being the heaviest 
 of the solids contained by triangles, and next in weight to the 
 Cube, represents the Platonic element of WATER. 
 
 The six small triangles around the circumference together with 
 the small central triangle G. H. I., resolved = 7 T (Triple Tau) 
 = 56 right angles. Add the value of the 12 l"H external an- 
 gles of the six triangles =16 right angles, making in all 72 
 right angles, equal in amount to those contained in the Dodeca- 
 hedron (Fig. 17), a solid body contained by 12 equal equilateral 
 
 43 
 
Fig. 17 
 
 Dodecahedron 
 
 pentagons, each solid angle formed by the union of three plane 
 obtuse angles. This body being nearest to a sphere, represents 
 the fifth Platonic body, or the UNIVERSE. 
 
 Therefore, not only do we have represented, geometrically, in 
 the Companion's jewel, as read by the aid of the Triple Tau, the 
 four elements, FIRE, AIR, EARTH and WATER, and also the UNI- 
 VERSE, but it further symbolizes eternity, immortality, and above 
 all, the sacred name of God, the Father Almighty. 
 
 As we use the Pickaxe to loosen the earth, the Crowbar as a 
 lever, and the Shovel to clear away the rubbish, so spiritually, the 
 
 Fig. 18 
 
 Pickaxe, Crowbar and Shovel 
 44 
 
stroke of the Pick reminds us of the last trump, when the grave 
 shall give up its dead ; the Crowbar points out the erect manner in 
 which the body shall rise on that last day ; while the Shovel de- 
 picts the manner in which the body is laid in the grave ; all 
 under the hope that the spirit shall rise to life eternal. 
 
 Fig. 19 
 
 Carbuncle 
 Levi 
 
 Topaz 
 
 SlMEOM 
 
 Ruby 
 RcuefN 
 
 Olomond 
 Zeouuwt 
 
 Sopphire 
 
 Emerafd 
 
 JvOAH 
 
 /AmelhySt 
 
 Agate 
 
 NaPht-vvi 
 
 Hyacinlh 
 Oan 
 
 Jasper 
 Benjanih 
 
 Or^yx 
 Joseph 
 
 Beryl 
 
 AjHER 
 
 Anaogement of Ancient Jewish Breastplate 
 
 The twelve stones of the breastplate (Fig. 19) worn by the 
 High Priest refer to the twelve tribes of Israel, namely, Reuben, 
 Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, 
 Asher, Joseph, Benjamin. It has been well said that "The 
 number twelve is divine, and that thereby the Celestials are 
 measured." 
 
 For there are twelve months in the year, twelve apostles, 
 twelve signs in the Zodiac, twelve angels governing the signs, 
 twelve superior gods and twelve inferior, twelve principal mem- 
 bers of the body, and in ancient Masonry there were twelve 
 original points of entrance, corresponding to the several tribes, as 
 Reuben, opening ; Simeon, preparing ; Levi, report ; Judah, en- 
 trance ; Zebulun, prayer ; Issachar, circumambulation ; Dan, ad- 
 vancing ; Gad, obligation ; Asher, intrusting ; Naphtali, invest- 
 ment ; Joseph, N. E. Corner ; Benjamin, closing. 
 
 The twelve stones were sardius, or ruby, topaz, carbuncle, 
 emerald, sapphire, diamond, hyacinth, agate, amethyst, beryl, 
 
 45 
 
onyx, jasper. Each stone was cut with six facets or sides, mak- 
 ing 72 in all, and upon each facet was engraved one of the 72 
 names of God. 
 
 One of the ancient names of God so engraved upon the breast- 
 plate was Ja, the Chaldean name for God, meaning " His essence 
 in majesty incomprehensible." It is also a Hebrew word signi- 
 fying " I am and shall be." It was written by the Jews, Jah, or 
 Jehovah, and otherwise, Jevo, and Javo. In Latin it appears as 
 Jove or Jupiter. 
 
 Dens, another name engraved, is the Latin word usually used 
 to signify God. 
 
 Another form is Bel, a Syraic word signifying " Lord " or 
 " Powerful." 
 
 In Chaldean, it appears as Bel-us, in Britain as Bel, or Bel- 
 enus, Britain itself being called Velynys, the island of Bel ; 
 among the Goths as Balder ; among the Sidouians as Baal or 
 Beelzebub, and among the Caananites, as Baal, the Sun. 
 
 Theos, the Greek word for God, also was engraved upon the 
 breastplate. On, an Egyptian word signifying " Father of All," 
 was a fourth form. It was equivalent to Osiris. On was also 
 the name of an Egyptian City called " House of the Sun." The 
 Greeks called it Heliopolis or " City of the Sun." The original 
 meaning of the word On was Sun. The Chaldeans had a god 
 Cannes ; the Philistines called their God Dagon. 
 
 In India AUM refers to the Deity in His triple capacity of 
 Creator, Preserver, and Destroyer, or Brahma, Vishnu and 
 Siva, originally referring to the heat, light and flame of the sun. 
 
 So the word Solomon is by some referred to as meaning the 
 Sun, or Sun-king, in three different languages, Sol, Latin ; Om, 
 Chaldean ; On, Egyptian.* 
 
 The mallet used by Masons should be the triangular shaped 
 stone hammer (Fig. 20), not the setting maul, nor the hammer 
 
 ♦Note — Fide interesting article on the TetrEigrammaton, etc., by 
 M. E. Alfred F. Chapman, Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch 
 Chapter of Massachusetts, in Proceedings of Grand Chapter for year 
 1872, page 33. 
 
 46 
 
of the auctioneer. As an emblem of authority it refers to the 
 famous hammer of Thor, in Scandinavian mythology, from whom 
 we derive Thor's day, or Thursday. It was otherwise called the 
 Swastika ; the Fylfot or Jaina Cross ; two boomerangs crossed 
 
 Fig. 20 
 
 The Masonic Gavel 
 
 saltire fashion — for, as a boomerang, it invariably returned to 
 the thrower's hand. (Fig. 21.) 
 
 Fig. 21 
 
 Swastika 
 
 The oldest symbol in the world, the Swastika was wrought on 
 the breast of Buddha ; the mark of Woden, from whom we 
 derive Woden's day, or Wednesday ; found traced on vases from 
 
 47 
 
the tombs of Troy ; engraved on the swords of Vikings buried by 
 the sea, in Scandinavia ; depicted on triangular aprons of savage 
 tribes in Brazil, and on the Aztec calendar stone in Mexico ; 
 drawii by martyr Christians on the walls of the Catacombs, in 
 Rome ; and is found everywhere on the monuments of Egypt, 
 Assyria, India and Peru, and even among the mound builders on 
 the Ohio. Its four arms refer to the four stages of human life, 
 childhood, youth, manhood and old age, and above all allude to 
 the sacred number four, the four letters of the Tetragrammaton, 
 
 Fig. 22 
 
 Anointed High Priest's Jewel. Front View 
 
 or the sacred and ineffable name of God that is engraved on the 
 breastplate (Figs. 22 and 23) of the anointed High Priest. 
 
 Fig. 23 
 
 Anointed High Priest's Jewel. Rear View 
 
 The term Companion, applied to Royal Arch Masons, refers 
 to the Companionship of the ancient Jews during the captivity at 
 Babylon, after the destruction of the first Temple. 
 
 48 
 
As Masons, recalling the long years of glorious labors for 
 humanity through which our ancient institution has passed, may 
 we not, in presaging thought, emulate the dreamer, who 
 
 " Stands within the shadow of the night, 
 But looks beyond it toward the coming light, 
 And sees, far off, with tranced, prophetic eyes, 
 The consummation of the centuries." 
 
 John E. Dolsen. 
 
 For we know that in the living Masonry of today that is build- 
 ing so surely for the future ; in the hearty handclasp of Brother 
 and Companion ; in that broader knowledge and abiding trust 
 born here within these walls of mystery ; in the close heart- 
 unions that flower so radiantly here in the shadow of the Royal 
 Arch, and ripen into lifelong friendships ; 
 
 " There are a thousand nameless ties 
 Which only such as feel them know ; 
 Of kindred thoughts, deep sympathies, 
 And untold fancy spells which throw 
 O'er ardent minds and faithful hearts 
 A charm whose virtue but imparts 
 Its force in those fond words — my friend." 
 
 Finally, my Companions, if we shall fail to exemplify in our 
 own lives these profound truths of our ancient Craft, and shall re- 
 gard their sublime presentation in our Degrees as matter of mere 
 entertainment ; if we shall fail to listen to and to heed the faint 
 cries of the distressed widows and orphans as eagerly as we do 
 the summons to the banquet hall ; if we shall fail to greet our 
 Companion in his time of trouble and distress with the heart as 
 well as with the hand ; if we shall forget that as Masons, and es- 
 pecially as Royal Arch Masons who have knelt with humble 
 and contrite hearts before the holy altar of Masonry in the 
 Royal Arch Degree, we should prove to the world our con- 
 secration to our faith through the purity of our lives, and that 
 for us profanity and immorality are impossible ; if we shall so 
 fail and so forget, then shall Masonry fail in its mission and pass 
 to decay and oblivion ; its great temples become ruined and dis- 
 mantled ; its great arches crumbling piles of stone ; its great 
 
 49 
 
pillars of wisdom, strength and beauty broken and overthrown, to 
 lie buried and forgotten beneath the sands of time. But if we 
 shall keep with knightly faith the trust reposed in us and shall 
 uphold, in its pristine purity and simplicity, the ancient faith of 
 the Fathers, then shall Masonry continue, for untold ages to 
 come, its labors of pure beneficence among the children of men. 
 
 When, at the end of a well-spent life, the silver cord shall be 
 loosed, may the soul of our loved Companion sail safely in its 
 shallow barque under the Royal Arch of Truth, illumined by 
 the ineffable glory of " that name that no man knoweth," into 
 the boundless realms of immortality ! 
 
 " Beyond the sunset's golden bars, 
 Beyond the twilight and the stars, 
 Beyond the midnight and the dark, 
 Sail on! sail on ! O happy barque. 
 Into the dawn of that tomorrow. 
 Where hearts shall find an end of sorrow. 
 And love shall find its own.'* 
 
 50 
 
Address Delivered September 5, 1912 
 
 Address delivered Sept. 5, 1912, before the Grand Holy- 
 Royal Arcli Chapter of Pennsylvania, at Masonic Temple, 
 Philadelphia. 
 
 Most Excellent Grand High Priest Smith and Companions of this 
 Grand Holy Royal Arch Chapter of Pennsylvania: — 
 
 On belialf of my associates and myself I thank you for the ex- 
 treme courtesy and warmth of your welcome, which touch our 
 very heart-strings. 
 
 As pilgrims to a holy shrine, we come from the Colony, Prov- 
 ince and Commonwealth of Massachusetts, — " Land of many 
 hills," — to this City of Brotherly Love, among the sylvan vales of 
 the ancient land of Penn ; to this historic sister Colony, Province 
 and Commonwealth, to bring the warm greetings of twenty-three 
 thousand devoted Royal Arch Masons under the obedience of our 
 Grand Royal Arch Chapter, to the Companions of your Grand 
 Holy Royal Arch Chapter here assembled. 
 
 I am sure that you will be glad to know that we brought from 
 Boston, the birthplace of Franklin, a wreath of remembrance, 
 which today, through your courtesy, with reverence and affection 
 we have laid upon his grave here in the city he loved. We have, 
 further, tenderly placed a similar wreath at the monument at Val- 
 ley Forge erected by Massachusetts to the memory of her soldiers 
 who suffered there. These fragrant memories of self-sacrificing 
 patriotism of the past bind our great Commonwealths together by 
 indissoluble bonds. Boston and Philadelphia both may well, 
 glory in their unrivalled possession of immortal shrines of patriot- 
 ism, that are such potent magnets of attraction to all American 
 born, — to all lovers of liberty everywhere. Under the Scarlet 
 Banner of the Chapter, also, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts 
 have both kept the ancient faith of the fathers untarnished ; the 
 Masonry, pure and undefiled that Washington knew and loved. 
 
 To you who have so faithfully kept the trust reposed in you, 
 we from Massachusetts bring greeting in fraternity, with our 
 
 51 
 
strong assurance of good-will and high confidence in your con- 
 tinued devotion to the God-given principles that flourish under 
 the Royal Arch. 
 
 Companions, have we not a right, an inherent as well as 
 traditional right, to be proud of the Chapter, and all that it 
 means to us ; to glory in its rich and splendid symbolism ; to re- 
 joice in the magnificence of its ceremonials, to humble our hearts 
 in contriteness under its sublime teachings of the Truths of God ? 
 
 As the great modern thinker, Maeterlinck, well says : — 
 
 " Of that perfect, ideal that each of us strives to build up in 
 himself, the sum total of all our thoughts will help only to model 
 the outline ; but the elements that go to construct it, and keep it 
 alive, are the purified passion, unselfishness, loyalty, wherein 
 these thoughts have had being. The extent of our love for the 
 thing which we hold to be true is of greater importance than 
 even the trutli itself." — (In Wisdom and Destiny.) 
 
 So, as we who love Masonry recall the unbroken lines of its 
 masters and teachers reaching back through the centuries until 
 their faint receding shadows are lost in the mists of antiquity, we 
 also realize their potent spirit of devotion to and unquestioning 
 belief in our ancient institution, that has ever held it to be the 
 handmaid of the Almighty, upholding Truth, teaching obedience 
 to His laws, and reverence for His Holy Name. 
 
 Franklin, Boston's greatest son, Grand Master of Masons in 
 Pennsylvania ; Washington on his knees at prayer in the snow at 
 Valley Forge ; LaFayette bringing the moral support of a great 
 nation in our time of need; Warren dying at Bunker Hill, — all 
 Masons, all Royal Arch Masons, in their lives of patriotic en- 
 deavor exhibited that character that is the essential attribute of 
 Masonry — and we may well remember and express equal de- 
 votion to her teachings. Does not Masonry ever speak to us in 
 uplifting terms well expressed by a great preacher : 
 
 '' My Father, may I lift my eyes to the hills ! May I not be 
 satisfied with the standards of the plains ! May I seek my ideals 
 in the mount! May I breathe the mountain air even when I 
 walk the valleys of time ! " 
 
 John Henry Jowett. 
 
Ever the Scarlet Banner of Zeal leads us onward to the 
 heights, and therefore he who has labored among the rums in 
 the shadow of the Royal Arch ; he who has listened to the 
 simple and beautiful lessons of the " Mark " and felt the influence 
 of true and brotherly charity expanding his heart ; he who on 
 bended knees has humbled his soul before the cherubim of the 
 Lord among the glories and magnificence of His great Temple, he 
 may well learn the lessons of Masonry, that he will receive in the 
 same measure that he gives. For he who enters within our 
 guarded gates seeking only material advantage for himself will 
 meet and receive contempt only ; but he who rejoices unfeignedly 
 in the story and teachings of our ancient Craft, and takes them to 
 his heart to practise in his own life, will assuredly win the esteem 
 and approval of his fellows, and receive a thousand-fold compen- 
 sation for all his sacrifices in their affection as Brothers and Com- 
 panions. As the poet has well said : — 
 
 " Under every power and passion 
 Stirs the element divine ; 
 If I grasp the moment's meaning 
 All eternity is mine." 
 
 Theo. a Williams. 
 
 In the Chapter, the summit and crown of Ancient Craft Masonry, 
 there is unfolded a panorama of surpassing interest, and magnifi- 
 cence of ceremony in the degrees, illustrated with a wealth of mystic 
 symbolism. 
 
 As we travel wearily over the rough and rugged roads of Life's 
 experiences do we not recall remembrances of the Chapter's har- 
 mony and peace and quiet, of its manifold beauties and of its re- 
 curring insistent appeals to our souls for right living, ever remind- 
 ing us that when we pass the white veil of immorbdity the ineffable 
 glory of that name that no man knoweth will lead us near the 
 sparing mercy of the Infinite One? For it is true, as expressed 
 by an ancient Persian poet, 
 
 " Who comes to God an inch through doublings dim, 
 In blazing light He will approach a yard toward him." 
 
 53 
 
The circle, triangle and Triple Tau, the special symbols of the 
 Chapter, are most striking and beautiful expressions of its search 
 for Truth, for the circle speaks to you of eternity ; the triangle of 
 Divine attributes ; the Triple Tau, in its mysterious form, of many 
 mystic secrets embodying the very Shekinah of the Presence of the 
 Capitular Rite ; while all three, so rich and lustrous in their histories 
 ever symbolize to Royal Arch Masons the majesty and all-pervad- 
 ing love of the Father, Omniscient, Omnipotent and Omnipresent. 
 
 As we look upon these glorious symbols, representing the high- 
 est aspirations and hidden secrets of many ancient religions, as 
 we see ,the white keystone, wrought in beauty by the engraver's 
 chisel, reminding us of that divine purity and perfection of char- 
 acter we should ever strive to attain, may we not breathe the 
 prayer : 
 
 " Great Master, touch us with Thy skilful hand, 
 Let not the music that is in us die ; 
 Great Sculptor, hew and polish us, nor let, 
 Hidden and lost, Thy form within us lie." 
 
 Bonar. 
 
 As Royal Arch Masons let us ever keep the ancient faith of our 
 fathers unsullied and unimpaired, the ancient landmarks un- 
 changed and unaltered ; let us live nearer to and exemplify our 
 God-given teachings of purity of life and speech ; let us not pro- 
 fane the Holy of Holies by un worthiness in any form ; let us 
 never cater or bow the knee to the low or ignoble ; let us remem- 
 ber that Masonic banquets are a means to an end, not the end it- 
 self; let us conserve our resources by establishing permanent 
 funds in our Chapters, that we may better, and in larger measure, 
 during the centuries yet unrolled by the hand of God, redeem our 
 promises of charity to the weak and suffering, the widows and 
 orphans of our loved Companions who have passed beyond the 
 veil ; let us ever remember to keep with knightly faith our vows 
 of fraternity, and carry into our own homes and lives the gentle 
 spirit of the Fatherhood of God that is found in our ancient mystic 
 Brotherhood of Man everywhere, in every land, from the Arctic 
 snows to the shifting sands of the desert; from Himalayan 
 
 54 
 
heights to the Golden Gate on the Pacific ; from the palms of the 
 Antipodes to the swaying shadows of the pines under the " Mid- 
 night Sun." As Masons may we not say with the poet : 
 
 '* To make undying music in the world, 
 Breathing as beauteous order that controls. 
 With growing sway the growing life of man, 
 
 This is life to come. 
 Which martyred men have made more glorious 
 For us who strive to follow." 
 
 George Eliot. 
 
 55 
 

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 UNIVERSITY OF CAUFORNIA UBRARY