WASHINGTON KEYSTONE 1984 - 2012 Revised and Updated

WASHINGTON KEYSTONE 1984 - 2012 Revised And Updated

The Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons Of Washington Contents PAGE Preface to 2012 New Edition AND Preface to 1984 First Edition………………………………………………………...... 1 The Grand Officers Who Pressed for Completion of the New Edition...... 2 Poem THE LEVEL AND THE SQUARE…………………………………………………………………………………………………...... 3 A ROYAL ARCH ACROSTIC……………………………………………………………………………………………………….…………...... 4 THE MASONIC CALENDAR…...... 5 Why the Name of This Book AND Remarks of the 1994 Centennial Committee...... 6 The 1984Washington Keystone Cover, the Centennial Grand High Priests, and the Workers...... 7 History of the Washington Keystone First Edition and Centennial Items...... 8 Constituent Chapters of the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of Washington as of February 2012...... 9 Deputies of the Grand High Priest for 2011-2012 - With District Chapters...... 9 Grand High Priests of the Most Excellent Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in Washington...... 10-12 Elected Grand Chapter Line Officers……………………………………………………………………………………………...... 13-15 Grand Treasurers, Grand Secretaries AND Grand Convocations (Place & Date)…………………………………...... 16-18 Pictures of the Grand High Priests In Washington……………………………………………………………………………...... 19-29 Royal Arch Masonry - A Short History (By Sidney Kase)…………………………………………………………...... …… 30-33 The 1981 Report of Past General Grand High Priest A. J. LEWIS...... …...... 34-35 Recipients of the General Grand Chapter Distinguished Service Award………………………………………...... …… 36 Royal Arch Masons Children’s Heart Foundation Report (1983)…………………………………………...... ……… 37-38 The Royal Arch Park AND the Tenino Stone Quarry……………………………………………………………………...... …… 39 Pictures of Tenino Stone Quarry, August 5, 1950……………………………………………………………………...... ……… 40 The Ancient Landmarks of Masonry (By A. Byron Croop)…………………………………………………………...... ……… 41-48 Masonic Symbolism (By Delmar Don Fitch)………………………………………………………………………………...... …… 48-49 Vicissitudes of Masonry (By Frank R. Dixon)…………………………………………………………………….…………...... …… 50-52 Order of High Priesthood (By J. Stanley Ray)………………………………………………………………………………...... …… 52-53 From Samson to Solomon (By Howard W. Lawrence)…………………………………………………………………...... …… 53-56 Recap of Royal Arch History (By Roy A. W. Krows)……………………………………………………………………...... ……… 56-60 The Most Sublime Degree (By Sidney Kase)……………………………………………………………………………...... ……… 61-64 High Lights of Grand Chapter of Washington 1884-1984 (By Robert Truesdale)...... 65-67 The Future of Royal Arch Masonry (By Robert E. Truesdale)………………………………………………………...... …… 68-69 EPILOGUE (from the 1984 Edition)………………………………………………………………………………….………...... ……… 70-71 GLEANING OF PROCEEDINGS 1984-2011 REPORTS SUBMITTED AT GRAND CHAPTER CONVOCATIONS...... 72-106 GRAND CHAPTER ANNUAL CONVOCATIONS, Place, Date, and Other Information…………………...... …… 107-109 COMPILED FINANCIAL DATA 1984-2011 (Grand Chapter, RAMCHF, YRLMMF)...... 110-112 GRAND HIGH PRIEST DECISIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF HISTORICAL INTEREST...... 113 RESOLUTIONS OF HISTORICAL INTEREST...... 114-115 THE 49 CONSTITUENT CHAPTERS OF THE GRAND CHAPTER FOR THE YEAR 1984...... 116 Chapters Which Have Either Merged or Surrendered Charter 1884-2012...... 117 THE 27 CONSTITUENT CHAPTERS OF THE GRAND CHAPTER FOR THE YEAR 2012...... 118 The First Open Air Degrees Done at the Royal Arch Park...... 118 HISTORY OF THE 68 CONSTITUENT CHAPTERS OF THE GRAND CHAPTER 1884-2012...... 119- WALLA WALLA #1...... 119-124 SPOKANE #2, SEATTLE #3...... 125-126 TACOMA #4...... 127-129 DAYTON #5, SPRAGUE #6, OLYMPIA #7, COLFAX #8, VANCOUVER #9...... 130 EVERGREEN #10, ELLENSBURG #11, BELLINGHAM #12, WESTSHORE #13...... 131-132 PORT TOWNSEND #14, SNOHOMISH #15, SNOHOMISH COUNTY #15...... 133-136 PUYALLUP #16, Mt. VERNON #17, TEKOA #18...... 137 ORIENTAL #19...... 138-141 CONTENTS CONTINUED NEXT PAGE CONTENTS CONTINUED ...... PAGE COLEVILLE #20, YAKIMA #21...... 141 WENATCHEE #22, SUNSET #23...... 142 EVERETT #24...... 143 DAVENPORT #25, BALLARD #26...... 144 OLYMPUS #27...... 144-146 PACIFIC #28, CARNATION #29...... 147-148 PROSSER #30, PULLMAN #31...... 149-150 UNIVERSITY #32...... 150-151 PASCO #33, WATERVILLE #34, SUNNYSIDE VALLEY #35, GOLDENDALE #36...... 152-153 KEYSTONE #37, ANGELES #38...... 153-155 ISSAQUAH #39...... 156-158 FRIENDSHIP #40, OKANOGAN VALLEY #41...... 159 ENUMCLAW #42, TOPPENISH #43...... 160 CENTRALIA #44...... 160-162 WEST SEATTLE #45...... 163-164 ROBERT B. PALMER #46, LaCROSSE #47, ROBERT BURNS #48...... 165 PUYALLUP #49, LEWIS #50, ELMONT #51...... 166 RAINER #52...... 167-174 AMITY #53, FALLS CITY B#54, LONGVIEW #55...... 175 LINCOLN PARK #56...... 175-187 MANITO #57, IVANHOE #58...... 188 ANACORTES #59...... 188-193 COLUMBIA GORGE #60, FELLOWSHIP #61...... 194-196 LAKESIDE #62, RICHLAND #63, EDMONDS #64...... 197-198 WASHINGTON #65, TRIPLE TAU #66...... 199-200 OVERLAKE #67...... 201 RESEARCH #68...... 202 PRELUDE TO THE EPILOGUE (2012 Revised Edition)...... 202 EPILOGUE - Part 1 (2012 Revised Edition)...... 203-204 EPILOGUE - Part2 (2012 Revised Edition)...... 204-205 Preface to 2012 New Edition

This is the first update of the Washington Keystone since it was first published in 1984 under the editorship of Dr. Sidney Kase (PGM 1990-91). Many events have occurred since the original publication, some are chronicled in this Edition. Unfortunately, some Chapters have not provided as much new information as hoped for but that is the way of all publications of this nature. Most Excellent Grand High Priest Lynn L. Bailey commissioned this new effort and assigned a committee consisting of Grand Historian VEC Al Luberts – Chairman, MEC Ed Opstad and EC Gene Fish – members. I am highly indebted to them for gathering a wealth of new material much of which has been included in this edition. Revision and updating of this volume progressed steadily albeit slowly until MEC Fred Noyes made completion of the work a priority for his year and insisted that come what may it be finished prior to the 2012 Grand Session. EC Robert W. Benish, Grand Historian for 2011-2012, was charged with this task and any mistakes or omissions in this edition are his responsibility. As for the format of this edition, it was the decision of EC Benish to use as much material from the original edition with as little change as possible and to incorporate new data into the revision where it was pertinent. In this way the reader would not have to possess the older volume to correlate the older data with the new. In 1984, the age of the personal computer had just begun and publishing software was not available to those who gathered the material for the First Edition. Consequently the aid of a publishing house was necessary to get the book organized and printed. Today, with the aid of Microsoft Word, Adobe Photoshop, Scanning Hardware, and Optical Character Recognition Software that converts photographically scanned text into MS Word Format it was possible to compose this edition without having to utilize a publishing house. An added benefit of the new technology is that all the material in this new edition is now in 2007 MS WORD format and saved on CD, Hard Drive, and Thumb Drive. It can be readily incorporated into future editions without first scanning the old material thus saving much time and effort. I can therefore heartily recommend that this book be updated every 5 to 10 years. I am certain that our Chapter Secretaries will agree that a shorter update cycle is needed as a tremendous burden is placed on those who are asked to research many years of Chapter History and to provide this in a usable form.

Robert W. Benish Grand Historian 2011-2012

Preface to 1984 First Edition

The Centennial Committee has been working towards the celebration of our first hundred years of Royal Arch Masonry since 1980. We designed and had struck an appropriate medallion which has been sold at Chapter and Grand Chapter meetings and is still available on request to the Grand Chapter committee or the Grand Secretary (see insert). Letters were sent to every Royal Arch Chapter in the State of Washington requesting them to submit their individual chapter history. Many chapters responded promptly, and with well-done histories. Others responded not so promptly, and not as well done. Unfortunately, and for a variety of reasons, some chapters did not respond at all. Such was the material with which we had to work. This volume represents the summation of these efforts. It is our intention to give the reader an overview of Royal Arch Masonry and to summarize our experiences in Capitular Masonry in the state of Washington in our first 100 years. We are anticipating great things in Masonry in the state of Washington. Royal Arch Masonry is an integral part of that projection. Unsurprisingly, the chapters are, in general, chronological. As an introduction to the histories of the individual chapters, we have examined the beginnings of Capitular Masonry. A short history of our Grand Chapter is included, as well as other topics of general interest to Royal Arch Masons. A limited edition, serially numbered, has been printed, with the expectation that this volume will be of interest as a collector's item, especially for Royal Arch Masons.

Sidney Kase Grand Historian 1983-1984

1 MEC Frederick B. Noyes, III MEC Herbert N. Weaver 2011-2012 2009-2010

MEC Anthony C. Schwab MEC Lynn L. Bailey 2010-2011 2008-2009

REC Jeffery S. Bartow Grand Secretary The Grand Officers Who Pressed for Completion of the New Edition

2 THE LEVEL AND THE SQUARE by MWB Bob Morris, PGM, Kentucky

We meet upon the Level, and we part upon the Square; What words of precious meaning those words Masonic are! Come, let us contemplate them, they are worthy of a thought; With the highest and the lowest and the rarest they are fraught.

We meet upon the Level, though from every station come; The King from out his palace and the poor man from his home. For the one must leave his diadem without the Mason's door; And the other finds his true respect upon the checkered floor.

We part upon the Square, for the world must have its due; We mingle with its multitude, a cold, unfriendly crew. But the influence of our gatherings in memory is green; And we long upon the Level, to renew the happy scene.

There's a world where all are equal—we are hurrying toward it fast; We shall meet upon the Level there when the gates of death are past. We shall stand before the Orient and our Master will be there; To try the blocks we offer by his own unerring square.

We shall meet upon the Level there, but never thence depart; There's a Mansion, 'tis all ready, for each zealous faithful heart. There's a Mansion, and a welcome, and a multitude is there; Who have met upon the Level and been tried upon the square.

Let us meet upon the Level, then, while laboring patient here; Let us meet and let us labor, though the labor seems severe. Already in the western sky the signs bid us prepare; To gather up our working tools and part upon the Square!

Hands round, ye faithful Ghiblimites, the bright fraternal chain; We part upon the square below to meet in Heaven again. 0, what words of precious meaning those words Masonic are; We meet upon the Level, and we part upon the Square.

3 A ROYAL ARCH ACROSTIC

Happy the man whose every act will bear

The rigid test of the unerring square;

Whom, while time's level he unswerving trod

Stands firm before his fellows and his God;

Seeking by words of charity and love

To gain an entrance to the Lodge above;

Knowing the stone amongst the rubbish cast

Shall be the required cornerstone at last

4 THE MASONIC CALENDAR

Ancient Craft Masons commence their era with the creation of the world, and add 4,000 to the common time. The resulting date is identified as “A.L.” - “Anno Lucius”. Thus: 1981 A.D. Plus 4000 equals (A.L. 5981), “In the year of the Light”

Royal Arch Masons date their era from the year the Second Temple was commenced by Zerubbel, and add 530 to the common time. The resulting date is identified as “A.I.” - “Anno Inventionis” Thus: 1981 A.D. Plus 530 equals (A.I. 2511), “In the year of Discovery”

The Order of High Priesthood date their era from the year of the blessing of Abraham by the High Priest Melchizedek, King of Salem, and add 1913 to the common time. The resulting date is identified as “A. Beo.” - “Anno Benedictionis” Thus: 1981 A.D. Plus 1913 equals (A. Beo. 3894), "In the year of the Blessing"

Royal and Select Masons date their era from the year in which the Temple of Solomon was completed, and add 1000 to the common time. The resulting date is identified as “A. Dep.” - “Anno Depositionis” Thus: 1981 A.D. Plus 1000 equals (A. Dep. 2981), - “In the year of the Deposit”

Knights Templar commence their era with the organization of their Order, and deduct 1118 from the common time. The resulting date is identified as “A.O.” - “Anno Ordinis” Thus: 1981 A.D. Less 1118 equals (A.O. 863) “In the year of the Order”

Scottish Rite Masons date as the Ancient Craft, except they use the Jewish Chronology, and add 3760 to the common time. After September add a year. The resulting date is identified as “A.M.” - “Anno Mundi” Thus: 1999 A.D. Plus 3760 equals (A.M. 5759) “In the year of the World”

5 WHY THE NAME OF THIS BOOK

The Most Excellent Master degree of the Royal Arch system of degrees speaks of the importance of the Keystone, because it completed the Temple of Solomon, so that it could be dedicated to the Most High. The title of this book, "Keystone," was selected to signify the dedication of 100 years of Royal Arch Masonry in the state of Washington to the Most High, and seeks His providential blessing on us and our endeavors in Masonry, particularly in Royal Arch Masonry the world over, and in the State of Washington. "Holiness to the Lord!"

REMARKS OF THE 1984 CENTENNIAL COMMITTEE

Letters were sent to every Royal Arch Chapter in the State of Washington requesting them to submit their individual chapter history. These histories were incorporated into the book, though some are no longer in existence.* Many chapters responded promptly, and with well-done histories. Others responded not so promptly and not as well done. Unfortunately, and for a variety of reasons, some chapters did not respond at all. Such was the material with which we had to work. This volume represents the summation of these efforts. It is our intention to give the reader an overview of Royal Arch Masonry and to summarize our experiences in Capitular Masonry in the state of Washington in our first 100 years. We are anticipating great things in Masonry in the state of Washington. Royal Arch Masonry is an integral part of that projection. Unsurprisingly, the chapters are, in general, chronological. As an introduction to the histories of the individual chapters, we have examined the beginnings of Capitular Masonry. A short history of our Grand Chapter is included, as well as other topics of general interest to Royal Arch Masons. A limited edition, serially numbered, has been printed, with the expectation that this volume will be of interest as a collector's item, especially for Royal Arch Masons.

Centennial Committee VEC LaVelle W. Thresher, Chairman VEC Richard L. Boney VEC Sidney Kase, Editor VEC Herbert J. Miller VEC Lou E. Thompson

6 THE 1984 WASHINGTON KEYSTONE COVER THE FIRST 100 YEARS OF ROYAL ARCH MASONRY IN WASHINGTON

CENTENNIAL GRAND HIGH PRIESTS MEC Robert E. Truesdale, MEC Varden F. Boergadine 1983-1984 1984-1985

THE WORKERS Compiled by Assisted by Very Excellent Companion Sidney Kase Very Excellent Companion LaVelle Thresher Past High Priest, Tacoma Chapter No. 4 Past High Priest, Rainier Chapter No. 52 Grand Historian, R.A.M., 1983-1984 Chairman, R.A.M. Centennial Committee

PRINTED BY LAKEWOOD PRINTING, TACOMA, WASHINGTON

Above is the Cover and a Synopsis of Pages 1, 2, 3, 4, and 8 of the Original 1984 Edition

7 History of the Washington Keystone First Edition

With the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of Washington's Centennial approaching in 1984, Grand High Priest Most Excellent Companion A. W. Krows took the first step toward a commemoration by establishing the Centennial Committee in December of 1979. He appointed Very Excellent Companion LaVelle Thresher to head this committee. Shortly thereafter Very Excellent Companion Sidney Kase and Very Excellent Companion Herbert Miller were added to the committee.

Very Excellent Companion Sidney Kase took charge in preparing the WASHINGTON KEYSTONE a book covering the first 100 years of Royal Arch Masonry in Washington.

On May 21, 1980, at the Grand Chapter Convocation, a report from the committee was presented by Very Excellent Companion LaVelle Thresher that gave several suggestions for the upcoming Centennial. At this 96th annual convocation, the Companions passed resolution #4—to authorize $2,000 to be turned over to the Centennial Committee to help subsidize the upcoming Centennial. This resolution was the catalyst that set the Centennial Committee in motion.

The next steps came from Most Excellent Companion Vernon Parks, newly elected Grand High Priest. He added two new names to the Centennial Committee: Very Excellent Companion Richard Boney and Very Excellent Companion Lou Thompson and he authorized the committee to proceed with having a coin-medallion minted to commemorate the 100th year.

The Klitzner Company in Providence, R.I., was selected to do the minting. After six months of communications between the committee and The Klitzner Company, the coin was agreed upon and production begun. The coin was produced in bronze and sterling silver, and in February 1981 the first shipment was received. The bronze coin was inset into two styles of belt buckles, a money clip, and ladies' filigree pendant. The prices were: $5 bronze coin, $40 sterling silver coin, and $10 each for the remaining items. These items went on sale at the 97th Grand Chapter Convocation and were also sold at Chapter and Grand Chapter meetings.

CENTENNIAL ITEMS

TOP ROW: BOTTOM ROW: 1. Reverse Side of Centennial Medallion 4. Belt Buckle 2. Bill Clasp 5. Necklace 3. Front Side of Centennial Medallion 6. Belt Buckle

8 Constituent Chapters of the Grand DEPUTIES OF THE GRAND HIGH PRIEST Chapter Royal Arch Masons of Washington For 2011-2012 - With District Chapters

Walla Walla #1 District #9 District #1 VEC Milton Sidney Roberts “Sid” Spokane #2 District #12 Vancouver #9 Tacoma #4 District #3 District #2 VEC David Ossian Anderson Dayton #5 District #11 Centralia #44 Vancouver #9 District #1 Elmont #13 Evergreen #10 District #11 District #3 VEC John Michael Brett Ellensburg #11 District #14 Tacoma #4 Bellingham Bay #12 District #13 District #4 VEC Theodore Ernest Shanks Elmont #13 District #2 Angeles #38 Snohomish County #15 District #8 Olympus #27 Oriental #19 District #7 District #5 VEC Michael S. Palko-Dean Yakima #21 District #14 Enumclaw #42 Wenatchee #22 District #10 Robert B. Palmer #46 Olympus #27 District #4 District #7 VEC Coe Tug Morgan University #32 District #7 Oriental #19 Pasco #33 District #9 University #32 Angeles #38 District #4 District #8 VEC Bryan Douglas Bechler Issaquah #39 District #15 Fellowship #61 Okanogan Valley #41 District #10 Research Chapter #68 Enumclaw #42 District #5 Snohomish County #15 Centralia #44 District #2 District #9 VEC John Robert Yingling Robert B. Palmer #46 District #5 Pasco #33 Falls City #54 District #16 Walla Walla #1 Anacortes #59 District #13 District #10VEC Wayne William Tetherow Fellowship #61 District #8 Okanogan Valley #41 Triple Tau #66 District #15 Wenatchee #22 Research Chapter #68 District #8 District #11VEC Mark Allen Scott Dayton #5 Evergreen #10 NOTE: 27 Chapters as of February 2012 District #12VEC Ivan Merle Iverson “Merle” Spokane #2 District #13VEC Charles Weston Cunningham Anacortes #59 Bellingham Bay #12 District #14VEC Patrick C. Stanton Ellensburg #11 Yakima #21 District #15VEC Larry David Harger Issaquah #39 Triple Tau #66 District #16VEC Andrew James Olson “Andy” Falls City #54

9 GRAND HIGH PRIESTS OF THE MOST EXCELLENT GRAND CHAPTER OF ROYAL ARCH MASONS IN WASHINGTON

NAME TERM OF OFFICE BIRTH DEATH

Louis Ziegler 1884-85 ? 01/15/1911 Andrew McCalley 1885-86 ? 09/15/1891 Andrew McCalley 1886-87- ? 09/15/1891 Walter J. Thompson 1887-88 01/26/1905 08/00/1940 William A. Fairweather, 1888-89 ? 08/19/1946 Reed, Thomas Milburne, Jr. 1889-90 ? 10/07/1905 William Vance Rinehart, Jr. 1890-91 ? 10/16/1918 Jacob Herkimer Bellinger 1891-92 04/15/1841 05/19/1895 William McMicken 1892-93 01/01/1827 09/09/1899 John W. Bean 1893-94 ? 03/23/1929 HoraceWalter Tyler 1894-95 ? 10/22/1944 Edward Ross Hare 1895-96 ? 07/16/1916 Walter Leroy Darby 1896-97 09/01/1858 09/15/1933 Carmi Dibble 1897-98 05/24/1842 01/28/1908 John Moore 1898-99 ? 04/26/1926 David Lewis Paramore 1899-00 ? 08/07/1921 Samuel Harry Rush 1900-01 1852 02/22/1929 Andrew Louis Nilsson, Sr. 1901-02 ? 10/25/1916 Jacob Weatherwax 1902-03 ? 07/31/1902 John N. Prather 1903-04 ? 08/24/1925 Nathan Smith Porter 1904-05 ? 12/25/1920 Otis Adam Crampton 1905-06 ? 05/02/1924 Richard Smith Nicholls 1906-07 1841 10/09/1926 Francis (Bayly or Bailey) West 1907-08 ? 12/16/1927 Robert Lee McCroskey, Judge 1908-09 ? 11/26/1965 Abraham L. Miller 1909-10 ? 11/15/1927 Frederick J. Elsensohn 1910-11 ? ? Wesley Clark Stone 1911-12 ? 02/19/1954 William George Rowland 1912-13 ? 04/06/1933 John Clark Minton 1913-14 1853 07/22/1930 Henry Laurens Kellogg Kennan 1914-15 1852 09/17/1928 Charles Paine Kimball 1915-16 ? 02/26/1947 Frank G. H. Baker 1916-17 1863 04/20/1940 Charles Glastonbury Smyth 1917-18 ? 1945 Jacob Henry Miller 1918-19 ? 04/22/1960 Edwin Hugh VanPatten, Dr. 1919-20 ? 11/26/1942 Fred Lou Janeck 1920-21 ? 04/20/1946 John Martin Arntson 1921-22 1858 01/00/1940 William Ovens Nicholson 1922-23 ? ? Carey Scott Haynes 1923-24 1878 03/14/1937 Samuel Simison Endslow 1924-25 1872 03/27/1946 ## Charles Henry Steffen 1925-26 1873 ? William Thomas Drips 1926-27 1876 02/17/1940 James G. McCormick 1927-28 1883 ?

10 GRAND HIGH PRIESTS OF THE MOST EXCELLENT GRAND CHAPTER OF ROYAL ARCH MASONS IN WASHINGTON

NAME TERM OF OFFICE BIRTH DEATH

James Hoffer Johnson 1928-29 1887 12/07/1944 Robert Edgar Sullivan 1929-30 1854 11/29/1940 Fred Matthies 1930-31 06/17/1869 03/18/1961 John George Heinz 1931-32 1879 05/00/1935 William Pierce Williams 1932-33 1887 05/21/1943 GeorgeW. Sommer 1933-34 ? 01/11/1957 Albert Parker Ryan 1934-35 1888 08/12/1966 Lewis Albert Bender 1935-36 ? 05/28/1960 Walter Harrison Steffey 1936-37 1888 02/19/1972 William Ferguson 1937-38 1877 05/00/1941 Fred M. Bond 1938-39 1879 07/19/1958 Stanley G. Picknell 1939-40 09/30/1874 10/01/1950 Lee Allen 1940-41 1881 04/25/1950 Robert Bryant Palmer, Dr. 1941-42 1878 10/09/1955 William Otto Warn 1942-43 06/10/1894 06/22/1988 Ralph Phineas Mulvane 1943-44 09/13/1883 02/07/1974 Cassius Merlin Crowe 1944-45 09/14/1895 06/02/1972 Shardach Evans 1945-46 1873 01/15/1953 Joseph A. Dailey, Sr. 1946-47 1875 11/30/1949 Virgil E. Davin, 1947-48 1908 03/18/1990 Harry John Ahlers 1948-49 1900 03/08/1989 Guy S. Rose 1949-50 1872 04/15/1973 Carl Lennard Swanson 1950-51 11/15/1900 09/11/1988 Donald C. Rogers 1951-52 ? 02/07/1993 Dave Watson 1952-53 1899 02/16/1964 Audley F. Mahaffey 1953-54 1901 03/18/1982 Arthur Z. Lassila 1954-55 06/15/1905 06/28/1993 Ceil Minor Ward 1955-56 09/07/1895 07/18/1977 F. Allen Lane 1956-57 08/26/1895 01/10/1963 Kenneth N. Carmody 1957-58 1913 03/05/1988 Duke Thomas Fife 1958-59 1906 04/08/1967 Ralph Warren Gelbach 1959-60 1897 11/15/1965 Edward Richard Caddy 1960-61 10/17/1901 12/15/1986 Benjamin Wood, Sr. 1961-62 1890 06/09/1980 Edward Young 1962-63 10/16/1901 06/16/1976 Robert Watterson 1963-64 03/06/1897 02/22/1965 Clement lreneus Krantz, Jr. 1964-65 07/28/1895 10/12/1974 Chester A. Hogan 1965-66 11/09/1908 07/09/1989 Robert Purchase Monroe 1966-67 01/20/1907 03/30/1989 Obert Carl Skodje 1967-68 06/02/1923 09/03/1973 William M. Gillis "Bill" 1968-69 ? 1983 Anton L. Marek 1969-70 07/26/1913 01/08/1988 William Edgar Scheele 1970-71 05/25/1913 03/27/1983 Richard Dean Hein 1971-72 09/27/1927 02/11/2010

11 GRAND HIGH PRIESTS OF THE MOST EXCELLENT GRAND CHAPTER OF ROYAL ARCH MASONS IN WASHINGTON

NAME TERM OF OFFICE BIRTH DEATH

Walter J. Taber 1972-73 04/12/1895 04/22/1990 Gilbert Lowe Kaseburg 1973-74 1912 09/16/1993 Elgan Wilgas Cox 1974-75 05/25/1912 05/00/1992 Lloyd E. Reeder 1975-76 12/12/1898 11/22/1991 Wayne Joseph Deming 1976-77 07/18/1918 ? Frank R. Dixon 1977-78 02/27/1913 01/08/1999 Theodore Ray Fonis "Ted" 1978-79 07/23/1922 01/27/2011 Roy A. W. Krows 1979-80 1913 12/24/1999 Vernon Russell Parks 1980-81 02/28/1916 03/06/2000 Ramon Monte Opsata 1981-82 05/13/1930 ? Gene Miles (NMI) 1982-83 05/30/1912 03/03/2006 Robert Edward Truesdale 1983-84 11/06/1931 ? Varden Fenimore Boergadine "Bud" 1984-85 08/05/1923 12/09/2008 Milton Ray Benson 1985-86 08/31/1926 12/12/2011 James G. McVay 1986-87 03/22/1930 11/07/1986 Donald D. McCune 1987-88 02/10/1919 02/21/1999 Donald Lee Stephenson 1988-89 07/06/1926 04/01/1995 Robert H. Eckhardt 1989-90 09/22/1919 05/27/1991 William Elias Nelson "Bill" 1990-91 08/05/1927 11/05/2007 James S. Stoakes 1991-92 03/08/1915 12/05/1995 AlbertWarren Shaw, 1992-93 07/18/1932 01/30/1998 Thurston Hayden Dickason "Dick" 1993-94 08/25/1929 ? Larry Merle Bly 1994-95 09/15/1923 08/12/2006 Harold Leroy Tomkins 1995-96 11/16/1925 01/02/2004 Charles Perkins Towne "Chuck" 1996-97 02/13/1921 01/30/2006 Charles Debriel Kilbury 1997-98 02/02/1919 01/17/2005 Harry Benjamin Warnick 1998-99 04/02/1933 ? Gerald Robert Kunkle "Jerry" 1999-00 02/03/1949 ? Herbert Jay Miller 2000-01 08/18/1929 04/24/2011 Louis Elmer Bartrand 2001-02 05/11/1934 ? James Thomas Stephens, Jr. 2002-03 03/25/1921 ? Harold Gene Rothgeb 2003-04 02/25/1931 ? Donald Jay Beck 2004-05 09/10/1933 ? Richard Dale Fluaitt 2005-06 11/07/1938 ? Charley Lester Chapman 2006-07 10/20/1928 ? Edwin Andrew Opstad 2007-08 01/01/1934 08/21/2011 Lynn Lee Bailey 2008-09 04/25/1938 ? Herbert Nelson Weaver 2009-10 06/07/1930 ? Anthony Charles Schwab 2010-11 02/17/1943 ? Frederick Bogue Noyes, Ill 2011-12 06/27/1939 ?

12 ELECTED LINE OFFICERS OF THE MOST EXCELLENT GRAND CHAPTER OF ROYAL ARCH MASONS OF WASHINGTON

GRAND HIGH DEPUTY GRAND PRIESTS HIGH PRIESTS GRAND KINGS GRAND SCRIBES

1884-85 *Louis Ziegler *Andrew McCalley *William W. Poole *William Glasford 1885-86 *Andrew McCalley *William W. Poole *Fred Furth *Walter J. Thompson 1886-87 *Andrew McCalley *Fred Furth *Walter J. Thompson *Henry F. Phillips 1887-88 *Walter J. Thompson *Wm. A. Fairweather *William V. Rinehart *Harry G. Stimmel 1888-89 *Wm. A. Fairweather *William V. Rinehart *Jacob H. Bellinger *William McMicken 1889-90 *Thomas M. Reed *William V. Rinehart *Jacob H. Bellinger *William McMicken 1890-91 *William V. Rinehart *Jacob H. Bellinger *William McMicken *John W. Bean 1891-92 *Jacob H. Bellinger *William McMicken *John W. Bean *Horace W. Tyler 1892-93 *William McMicken *John W. Bean *Horace W. Tyler *Edward R. Hare 1893-94 *John W. Bean *Horace W. Tyler. *Edward R. Hare *Walter L. Darby 1894-95 *Horace W. Tyler *Edward R. Hare *Walter L. Darby *Carmi Dibble 1895-96 *Edward R. Hare *Walter L. Darby *Carmi Dibble *John Moore 1896-97 *Walter L. Darby *Carmi Dibble *John Moore *D. Lew Paramore 1897-98 *Carmi Dibble *John Moore *D. Lew Paramore *S. Harry Rush 1898-99 *John Moore *D. Lew Paramore *S. Harry Rush *Andrew Nilsson 1899-00 *D. Lew Paramore *S. Harry Rush *Andrew Nilsson *Jacob Weatherwax 1900-01 *S. Harry Rush *Andrew Nilsson *Jacob Weatherwax *J. N. Prather 1901-02 *Andrew Nilsson *Jacob Weatherwax *J.N. Prather *Nathan S. Porter 1902-03 *Jacob Weatherwax *Nathan S. Porter *Nathan S. Porter *Otis A. Crampton 1903-04 *J.N. Prather *J.N. Prather *Otis A. Crampton *Richard S. Nicholls 1904-05 *Nathan S. Porter *Otis A. Crampton *Richard S. Nicholls *Francis B. West 1905-06 *Otis A. Crampton *Richard S. Nicholls *Francis B. West *Robert L. McCroskey 1906-07 *Richard S. Nicholls *Francis B. West *Robert L. McCroskey *Abraham L. Miller 1907-08 *Francis B. West *Robert L. McCroskey *Abraham L. Miller *Frederick J. Elsensohn 1908-09 *Robert L. McCroskey *Abraham L. Miller *Frederick J. Elsensohn *Wesley C. Stone 1909-10 *Abraham L. Miller *Frederick M. Elsensohn *Wesley C. Stone *Wm. G. Rowland 1910-11 *Frederick M. Elsensohn *Wesley C. Stone *Wm. G. Rowland *John C. Minton 1911-12 *Wesley C. Stone *Wm. G. Rowland *John C. Minton *Henry L. Kennan 1912-13 *Wm. G. Rowland *John C. Minton *Henry L. Kennan *Charles P. Kimball 1913-14 *John C. Minton *Henry L. Kennan *Charles P.. Kimball *Frank G. H. Baker 1914-15 *Henry L. Kennan *Charles P. Kimball *Frank G. H. Baker *Charles G. Smyth 1915-16 *Charles P. Kimball *Frank G. H. Baker *Charles G. Smyth *Jacob H. Miller 1916-17 *Frank G. H. Baker *Charles G. Smyth *Jacob H. Miller *Edwin H. Van Patten 1917-18 *Charles G. Smyth *Jacob H. Miller *Edwin H. Van Patten *Fred L. Janeck 1918-19 *Jacob H. Miller *Edwin H. Van Patten *Fred L. Janeck *John M. Amston 1919-20 *Edwin H. Van Patters *Fred L Janeck *John M. Arnston *Vim. O. NKhoison 1920-21 *Fred L Janeck *John M. Arnston *Vim. 0. Nicholson *Carey S. Haynes 1921-22 *John M. Arnston *Wm. 0. Nicholson *Carey S. Haynes *Samuel S. Endslow 1922-23 *Wm. 0. Nicholson *Carey S. Haynes *Samuel S. Endslow *William Elliot Yates, Jr 1923-24 *Carey S. Haynes *Samuel S. Endslow *William Elliot Yates, Jr ? 1924-25 *Samuel S. Endslow *William Elliot Yates, Jr ? *William T. Drips 1925-26 ## *Charles Henry Steffen*William T. Drips *James McCormack *James H. Johnson 1926-27 *William T. Drips *James McCormack *James H. Johnson *Robert E. Sullivan 1927-28 *James McCormack *James H. Johnson *Robert E. Sullivan *Fred Matthies 1928-29 *James H. Johnson *Robert E. Sullivan *Fred Matthies *John G. Heinz 1929-30 *Robert E. Sullivan *Fred Matthies *John G. Heinz *William P. Williams 1930-31 *Fred Matthies *John G. Heinz *William P. Williams *Geo. W. Sommer 1931-32 *John G. Heinz *William P. Williams *Geo W. Sommer *Albert P. Ryan

13 ELECTED LINE OFFICERS OF THE MOST EXCELLENT GRAND CHAPTER OF ROYAL ARCH MASONS OF WASHINGTON

GRAND HIGH DEPUTY GRAND PRIESTS HIGH PRIESTS GRAND KINGS GRAND SCRIBES

1932-33 *William P. Williams *Geo W. Sommer *Albert P. Ryan *Lewis A. Bender 1933-34 *Geo W. Sommer *Albert P. Ryan *Lewis A. Bender *Walter H. Steffey 1934-35 *Albert P. Ryan *Lewis A. Bender *Walter H. Steffey *William Ferguson 1935-36 *Lewis A. Bender *Walter H. Steffey *William Ferguson *Fred M. Bond 1936-37 *Walter H. Steffey *William Ferguson *Fred M. Bond *Stanley G. Picknell 1937-38 *William Ferguson *Fred M. Bond *Stanley G. Picknell *Lee Allen 1938-39 *Fred M. Bond *Stanley G. Picknell *Lee Allen *Robert B. Palmer 1939-40 *Stanley G. Picknell *Lee Allen *Robert B. Palmer *W. Otto Warn 1940-41 *Lee Allen *Robert B. Palmer *W. Otto Warn *Ralph P. Mulvane 1941-42 *Robert B. Palmer *W. Otto Warn *Ralph P. Mulvane *Cassius M. Crowe 1942-43 *W. Otto Warn *Ralph P. Mulvane *Cassius M. Crowe *Shadrach Evans 1943-44 *Ralph P. Mulvane *Cassius M. Crowe *Shadrach Evans *Jos. A. Dailey 1944-45 *Cassius M. Crowe *Shadrach Evans *Joseph A. Dailey *Virgil E. Davin 1945-46 *Shadrach Evans *Joseph A. Dailey *Virgil E. Davin *Harry J. Alders 1946-47 *Joseph A. Dailey *Virgil E. Davin *Harry J. Ahlers *Guy S. Rose 1947-48 *Virgil E. Davin *Harry J. Ahlers *Guy S. Rose *Carl L. Swanson 1948-49 *Harry J. Ahlers *Guy S. Rose *Carl L. Swanson *Donald C. Rogers 1949-50 *Guy S. Rose *Carl L. Swanson *Donald C. Rogers *Dave Watson 1950-51 *Carl L. Swanson *Donald C. Rogers *Dave Watson *Audley F. Mahaffey 1951-52 *Donald C. Rogers *Dave Watson *Audley F. Mahaffey *Arthur Z. Lassila 1952-53 *Dave Watson *Audley F. Mahaffey *Arthur Z. Lassila *Ceil M. Ward 1953-54 *Audley F. Mahaffey *Arthur Z. Lassila *Cell M. Ward *F. Alan Lane 1954-55 *Arthur Z. Lassila *Cell M. Ward *F. Alan Lane *Kenneth N. Carmody 1955-56 *Cell M. Ward *F. Alan Lane *Kenneth N. Carmody *Duke T. Fife 1956-57 *F. Alan Lane *Kenneth N. Carmody *Duke T. Fife *Ralph W. Gelbach 1957-58 *Kenneth N. Carmody *Duke T. Fife *Ralph W. Gelbach *Edward R. Caddy 1958-59 *Duke T. Fife *Ralph W. Gelbach *Edward R. Caddy *Ben Wood 1959-60 *Ralph W. Gelbach *Edward R. Caddy *Ben Wood *Edward Young 1960-61 *Edward R. Caddy *Ben Wood *Edward Young *Robert Watterson 1961-62 *Ben Wood *Edward Young *Robert Watterson *Frank C. Fisher 1962-63 *Edward Young *Robert Watterson *Frank C. Fisher *Clement I. Krantz 1963-64 *Robert Watterson *Frank C. Fisher *Clement I. Krantz *Chester A. Hogan 1964-65 *Clement I. Krantz *Frank C. Fisher *Chester A. Hogan *Charles F. Gibson 1965-66 *Chester A. Hogan *Charles F. Gibson *Robert P. Monroe *Obert C. Skodje 1966-67 *Robert P. Monroe *Obert C. Skodje *William M. Gillis “Bill” *Anton L. Marek 1967-68 *Obert C. Skodje *William M. Gillis “Bill” *Anton L. Marek *William E. Scheele 1968-69 *William M. Gillis “Bill” *Anton L. Marek *William E. Scheele *Richard D. Hein 1969-70 *Anton L. Marek *William E. Scheele *Richard D. Hein *Walter J. Taber 1970-71 *William E. Scheele *Richard D. Hein *Walter J. Taber *Gilbert L. Kaseburg 1971-72 *Richard D. Hein *Walter J. Taber *Gilbert L. Kaseburg *Elgan W. Cox 1972-73 *Walter J. Taber *Gilbert L. Kaseburg *Elgan W. Cox *Lloyd E. Reeder 1973-74 *Gilbert L. Kaseburg *Elgan W. Cox *Lloyd E. Reeder Wayne J. Deming 1974-75 *Elgan W. Cox *Lloyd E. Reeder Wayne J. Deming *Frank R. Dixon 1975-76 *Lloyd E. Reeder Wayne J. Deming *Frank R. Dixon *Ted R. Fonis 1976-77 Wayne J. Deming *Frank R. Dixon *Ted R. Fonis *Roy A.W. Krows 1977-78 *Frank R. Dixon *Ted R. Fonis *Roy A.W. Krows *Vernon R. Parks 1978-79 *Ted R. Fonis *Roy A.W. Krows *Vernon R. Parks Ramon M. Opsata 1979-80 *Roy A.W. Krows *Vernon R. Parks Ramon M. Opsata *Gene Miles

14 ELECTED LINE OFFICERS OF THE MOST EXCELLENT GRAND CHAPTER OF ROYAL ARCH MASONS OF WASHINGTON

GRAND HIGH DEPUTY GRAND PRIESTS HIGH PRIESTS GRAND KINGS GRAND SCRIBES

1980 -81 *Vernon R. Parks Ramon M. Opsata *Gene Miles Robert Truesdale 1981-82 Ramon M. Opsata *Gene Miles Robert Truesdale *Varden F. Boergadine 1982-83 *Gene Miles Robert Truesdale *Varden F. Boergadine *Milton R. Benson 1983-84 Robert E. Truesdale *Varden F. Boergadine *Milton R. Benson *James McVey 1984-85 *Varden F. Boergadine *Milton Ray Benson *James G. McVay *Donald D. McCune 1985-86 *Milton Ray Benson *James G. McVay *Donald D. McCune *Donald Lee Stephenson 1986-87 *James G. McVay *Donald D. McCune *Donald Lee Stephenson *Robert H. Eckhardt 1987-88 *Donald D. McCune *Donald Lee Stephenson *Robert H. Eckhardt Benjamin F. Renn 1988-89 *Donald Lee Stephenson *Robert H. Eckhardt Benjamin F. Renn *William Elias Nelson 1989-90 *Robert H. Eckhardt Benjamin F. Renn *William Elias Nelson *James S. Stoakes 1990-91 *William Elias Nelson *James S. Stoakes * Albert Warren Shaw Thurston H. Dickason 1991-92 *James S. Stoakes *Albert Warren Shaw Thurston H. Dickason *Larry Merle Bly 1992-93 *Albert Warren Shaw Thurston H. Dickason *Larry Merle Bly *Harold Leroy Tomkins 1993-94 Thurston Hayden Dickason *Larry Merle Bly *Harold Leroy Tomkins *Charles Perkins Towne 1994-95 *Larry Merle Bly *Harold Leroy Tomkins *Charles Perkins Towne *Charles Debriel Kilbury 1995-96 *Harold Leroy Tomkins *Charles Perkins Towne *Charles Debriel Kilbury Harry B. Warnick 1996-97 *Charles Perkins Towne *Charles Debriel Kilbury Harry B. Warnick Gerald Robert Kunkle 1997-98 *Charles Debriel Kilbury Harry B. Warnick Gerald Robert Kunkle *William F. Komorek 1998-99 Harry Benjamin Warnick Gerald Robert Kunkle *Herbert J. Miller James R. Harrison 1999-00 Gerald Robert Kunkle *Herbert J. Miller James R. Harrison Louis Elmer Bartrand 2000-01 *Herbert Jay Miller Louis Elmer Bartrand James Thomas Stephens, Jr Harold Gene Rothgeb 2001-02 Louis Elmer Bartrand James Thomas Stephens, Jr Harold Gene Rothgeb Donald Jay Beck 2002-03 James Thomas Stephens, Jr Harold Gene Rothgeb Donald Jay Beck Richard Dale Fluaitt 2003-04 Harold Gene Rothgeb Donald Jay Beck Richard Dale Fluaitt Charley Lester Chapman 2004-05 Donald Jay Beck Richard Dale Fluaitt Charley Lester Chapman *Edwin Andrew Opstad 2005-06 Richard Dale Fluaitt Charley Lester Chapman *Edwin Andrew Opstad Lynn Lee Bailey 2006-07 Charley Lester Chapman *Edwin Andrew Opstad Lynn Lee Bailey Herbert Nelson Weaver 2007-08 *Edwin Andrew Opstad Lynn Lee Bailey Herbert Nelson Weaver Karl M. Forch 2008-09 Lynn Lee Bailey Herbert Nelson Weaver Karl M. Forch Anthony Charles Schwab 2009-10 Herbert Nelson Weaver Karl M. Forch Anthony Charles Schwab Frederick Bogue Noyes 2010-11 Anthony Charles Schwab Frederick Bogue Noyes Paul K. Reckamp Steven Lyn Dazey 2011-12 Frederick Bogue Noyes, Ill Paul K. Reckamp Steven Lyn Dazey E. Jeffrey Craig

*Deceased

## NOTE: There is confusion in the history of the Grand Line Officers for the years 1923, 1924, and 1925. William Elliot Yates, Jr died on December 12, 1924 while serving in the office of Deputy Grand High Priest. The York Rite Data Base lists Charles Henry Steffen serving as Grand High Priest for the office term 1925-26. MEC Steffen was a member of Seattle #3 and his having served as High Priest in 1914 apparently satisfied the Companions of that era of his ability to fill the office of Grand High Priest without having occupied any other Grand Line Office. Also of interest, there is no listing of Grand Scribe for the office year 1923-24 or for Grand King in 1924-25; apparently another Companion serving in those offices died in a similar time period as did REC Yates. Owing to time constraint and lacking access to the Grand Chapter Proceedings for those years, I was unable to research this in greater detail in time for this edition. THE EDITOR

15 GRAND GRAND GRAND CONVOCATION TREASURERS SECRETARIES Place Date

1884 *Thomas M. Reed Walla Walla Oct. 2 1884 1884-85 *Edward S. Ingraham *Thomas M. Reed Tacoma June 2 1885 1885-86 *Edward S. Ingraham *Thomas M. Reed Olympia May 31 1886 1886-87 *Edward S. Ingraham *Thomas M. Reed Vancouver May 31 1887 1887-88 *Henry Drum *Thomas M. Reed Port Townsend June 11 1888 1888-89 *Henry Drum *Yancey C. Blalock Olympia June 14 1889 1889-90 *Henry Drum *Yancey C. Blalock Ellensburg June 13 1890 1890-91 *Henry Drum *Yancey C. Blalock Seattle June 12 1891 1891-92 *Henry Drum *Yancey C. Blalock Spokane June 17 1892 1892-93 *Henry Drum *Yancey C. Blalock Tacoma June 16 1893 1893-94 *J. H. Bellinger *Yancey C. Blalock Colfax Sept. 12 1894 1894-95 *William McMicken *Yancey C. Blalock Tacoma June 5 1895 1895-96 *William McMicken *Yancey C. Blalock Seattle June 5 1896 1896-97 *William McMicken *Yancey C. Blalock Tacoma June 4 1897 1897-98 *William McMicken *Yancey C. Blalock Tacoma June 10 1898 1898-99 *William McMicken *Yancey C. Blalock Tacoma June 9 1899 1899-00 *Horace W. Tyler *Yancey C. Blalock Tacoma June 8 1900 1900-01 *Horace W. Tyler *Yancey C. Blalock Tacoma June 7 1901 1901-02 *Horace W. Tyler *Yancey C. Blalock Tacoma June 6 1902 1902-03 *Horace W. Tyler *Yancey C. Blalock Seattle June 15 1903 1903-04 *Horace W. Tyler *Yancey C. Blalock Seattle June 20 1904 1904-05 *Horace W. Tyler *Yancey C. Blalock Bellingham June 19 1905 1905-06 *Horace W. Tyler *Yancey C. Blalock Spokane June 18 1906 1906-07 *Horace W. Tyler *Yancey C. Blalock Tacoma June 14 1907 1907-08 *Horace W. Tyler *Yancey C. Blalock Tacoma June 19 1908 1908-09 *Horace W. Tyler *Yancey C. Blalock Seattle June 21-22 1909 1909-10 *Horace W. Tyler *Yancey C. Blalock Tacoma June 27-28 1910 1910-11 *Horace W. Tyler *Yancey C. Blalock Spokane June 19-20 1911 1911-12 *Horace W. Tyler *Yancey C. Blalock Seattle June 14 1912 1912-13 *Horace W. Tyler *Yancey C. Blalock Wenatchee Sept. 15-16 1913 1913-14 *Horace W. Tyler *Yancey C. Blalock Walla Walla Sept. 21-22 1914 1914-15 *Horace W. Tyler *Yancey C. Blalock Vancouver Sept. 20-21 1915 1915-16 *Horace W. Tyler *Yancey C. Blalock North Yakima Sept. 25-26 1916 1916-17 *Horace W. Tyler *Yancey C. Blalock Bellingham Sept. 10-11 1917 1917-18 *Horace W. Tyler *Yancey C. Blalock Chehalis Sept. 9-10 1918 1918-19 *Horace W. Tyler *Yancey C. Blalock Ellensburg May 5-6 1919 1919-20 *Horace W. Tyler *Yancey C. Blalock Spokane May 3-4 1920 1920-21 *Horace W. Tyler *Henry L. Kennan Seattle May 2-3 1921 1921-22 *Horace W. Tyler *Henry L. Kennan Aberdeen May 15-16 1922 1922-23 *Horace W. Tyler *Henry L. Kennan Tacoma May 7-8 1923 1923-24 *Horace W. Tyler *Henry L. Kennan Bremerton May 5-6 1924 1924-25 *Horace W. Tyler *Henry L. Kennan Olympia Aug. 24-25 1925 1925-26 *Horace W. Tyler *Henry L. Kennan Yakima May 3-4 1926 1926-27 *Horace W. Tyler *Henry L. Kennan Spokane May 2-3 1927 1927-28 *Horace W. Tyler *Henry L. Kennan Tacoma May 7-8 1928 1928-29 *Horace W. Tyler *Wesley C. Stone Bellingham May 13-14 1929 1929-30 *Horace W. Tyler *Wesley C. Stone Seattle May 12-13 1930 1930-31 *Horace W. Tyler *Wesley C. Stone Walla Walla May 11-12 1931 1931-32 *Horace W. Tyler *Wesley C. Stone Aberdeen May 5-6 1932 1932-33 *William P. Williams *Wesley C. Stone Wenatchee May 11-12 1933 1933-34 *William P. Williams *Wesley C. Stone Spokane May 10-11 1934

16 GRAND GRAND GRAND CONVOCATION TREASURERS SECRETARIES Place Date

1934-35 *William P. Williams *Wesley C. Stone Vancouver May 16-17 1935 1935-36 *William P. Williams *Wesley C. Stone Tacoma May 14-15 1936 1936-37 *William P. Williams *Wesley C. Stone Bellingham May 13-14 1937 1937-38 *William P. Williams *Wesley C. Stone Tacoma May 12-13 1938 1938-39 *William P. Williams *Wesley C. Stone Seattle May 11-12 1939 1939-40 *William P. Williams *Wesley C. Stone Everett May 16-17 1940 1940-41 *William P. Williams *Wesley C. Stone Tacoma May 8-9 1941 1941-42 *William P. Williams *Wesley C. Stone Wenatchee May 11 1942 1942-43 *Leslie Cramer *Wesley C. Stone Chehalis May 10 1943 1943-44 *Reuben H. Gould *Samuel S. Endslow Wenatchee May 8 - 9 1944 1944-45 *Kirk H. Stone *Samuel S. Endslow Seattle June 20 1945 1945-46 *Kirk H. Stone *Samuel S. Endslow Yakima May 6 1946 1946-47 *Kirk H. Stone *Samuel S. Endslow Tacoma May 15-16 1947 1947-48 *Kirk H. Stone *Samuel S. Endslow Bellingham May 13-14 1948 1948-49 *Kirk H. Stone *Samuel S. Endslow Seattle May 19-20 1949 1949-50 *Kirk H. Stone *Samuel S. Endslow Spokane May 18-19 1950 1950-51 *Kirk H. Stone *Samuel S. Endslow Vancouver May 24-25 1951 1951-52 *Eugene A. Davis *Walter H. Steffey Walla Walla May 22-23 1952 1952-53 *Eugene A. Davis *Walter H. Steffey Centralia May 21-22 1953 1953-54 *Eugene A. Davis *Walter H. Steffey Olympia May 20-21 1954 1954-55 *Eugene A. Davis *Walter H. Steffey Seattle May 19-20 1955 1955-56 *Eugene A. Davis *Walter H. Steffey Wenatchee May 24-25 1956 1956-57 *Eugene A. Davis *Walter H. Steffey Pasco May 23-24 1957 1957-58 *Eugene A. Davis *Walter H. Steffey Tacoma May 22-23 1958 1958-59 *Eugene A. Davis *Walter H. Steffey Walla Walla May 21-22 1959 1959-60 *Eugene A. Davis *Walter H. Steffey Bremerton May 19-20 1960 1960-61 *Eugene A. Davis *Walter H. Steffey Aberdeen May 25-26 1961 1961-62 *Eugene A. Davis *Walter H. Steffey Wenatchee May 24-25 1962 1962-63 *Eugene A. Davis *Walter H. Steffey Yakima May 23-24 1963 1963-64 *Eugene A. Davis *Walter H. Steffey Pasco May 21-22 1964 1964-65 *Walter H. Steffey *Walter H. Steffey Auburn May 20-21 1965 1965-66 *Walter H. Steffey Spokane May 19-20 1966 1966-67 *Walter H. Steffey Everett May 18-19 1967 1967-68 *Walter H. Steffey Longview May 23-24 1968 1968-69 *Walter H. Steffey Chelan May 22-23 1969 1969-70 *Walter H. Steffey Tacoma May 21-22 1970 1970-71 *Anton L. Marek Seattle May 20-21 1971 1971-72 *Anton L. Marek Pasco May 18-19 1972 1972-73 *Anton L. Marek Everett May 24-25 1973 1973-74 *Anton L. Marek Port Angeles May 23-24 1974 1974-75 *Anton L. Marek Wenatchee May 21-22 1975 1975-76 *Anton L. Marek Everett May 20-21 1976 1976-77 *Edward R. Caddy Olympia May 18-19 1977 1977-78 *Edward R. Caddy Spokane May 24-25 1978 1978-79 *Edward R. Caddy Bellevue May 23-24 1979 1979-80 *Edward R. Caddy Vancouver May 21-22 1980 1980-81 *Edward R. Caddy Yakima May 20-21 1981 1981-82 *Edward R. Caddy Bellingham May 19-20 1982 1982-83 *Edward R. Caddy Bremerton May 18-19 1983 1983-84 *Edward R. Caddy Walla Walla May 30-31 1984

17 GRAND GRAND CONVOCATION SECRETARIES Place Date

1984-85 Raymon M. Opsata Kelso May 22-23 1985 1985-86 Raymon M. Opsata Fife May 21-22 1986 1986-87 Raymon M. Opsata Ellensburg May 27-28 1987 1987-88 Raymon M. Opsata Kelso May 18-19 1988 1988-89 Raymon M. Opsata Olympia May 24-25 1989 1989-90 Raymon M. Opsata Kennewick May 23-24 1990 1990-91 Raymon M. Opsata Fife May 22-23 1991 1991-92 Raymon M. Opsata Mount Vernon May 20 1992 1992-93 Raymon M. Opsata Yakima May 19 1993 1993-94 Raymon M. Opsata Everett May 18 1994 1994-95 *Albert W. Shaw Kennewick May 20 1995 1995-96 *Albert W. Shaw Tumwater May 21 1996 1996-97 *Albert W. Shaw Fife May 15 1997 1997-98 *Albert W. Shaw Richland May 23 1998 1998-99 James Nesbit Mount Vernon May 18 1999 1999-00 Charles P. Towne Everett May 18 2000 2000-01 Charles P. Towne Kennewick May 19 2001 2001-02 Charles P. Towne Federal Way May 21 2002 2002-03 Louis Elmer Bartrand Kelso May 19 2003 2003-04 Louis Elmer Bartrand Wenatchee May 22 2004 2004-05 Louis Elmer Bartrand Mount Vernon May 17 2005 2005-06 Louis Elmer Bartrand Bow May 15 2006 2006-07 Jeffery S. Bartow Wenatchee May 12 2007 2007-08 Jeffery S. Bartow Wenatchee May 20 2008 2008-09 Jeffery S. Bartow Wenatchee May 21 2009 2009-10 Jeffery S. Bartow Leavenworth May 19 2010 2010-11 Jeffery S. Bartow Arlington May 17 2011 2011-12 Jeffery S. Bartow Everett May 17 2012

*Deceased

NOTE: Grand Treasurer’s Office Abolished In 1966.

NOTE: Albert W. Shaw died in office on January 30, 1998; Thurston Hayden Dickason was appointed Acting Grand Secretary

18 PAST GRAND HIGH PRIESTS IN WASHINGTON

19 PAST GRAND HIGH PRIESTS IN WASHINGTON

20 PAST GRAND HIGH PRIESTS IN WASHINGTON

21 PAST GRAND HIGH PRIESTS IN WASHINGTON

22 PAST GRAND HIGH PRIESTS IN WASHINGTON

23 PAST GRAND HIGH PRIESTS IN WASHINGTON

24 PAST GRAND HIGH PRIESTS IN WASHINGTON

25 PAST GRAND HIGH PRIESTS IN WASHINGTON

26 PAST GRAND HIGH PRIESTS IN WASHINGTON

Gene Miles Robert E. Truesdale Varden Fenimore Boergadine Milton Ray Benson 1982 1983 1984 1985

James G. McVay Donald D. McCune Donald Lee Stephenson Robert H. Eckhardt 1986 1987 1988 1989

William Elias Nelson James S. Stoakes Albert Warren Shaw Thurston Hayden Dickason 1990 1991 1992 1993

27 PAST GRAND HIGH PRIESTS IN WASHINGTON

LarryMerleBly HaroldLeroyTomkins CharlesPerkinsTowne harlesDebrielKilbury 1994 1995 1996 1997

Harry Benjamine Warnick Gerald Robert Kunkle Herbert Jay Miller Louis Elmer Bartrand 1998 1999 2000 2001

James Thomas Stephens, Jr Harold Gene Rothgeb Donald Jay Beck Richard Dale Fluaitt 2002 2003 2004 2005

28 PAST GRAND HIGH PRIESTS IN WASHINGTON

Charley Lester Chapman Edwin Andrew Opstad Lynn Lee Bailey Herbert Nelson Weaver 2006 2007 2008 2009

AnthonyCharlesSchwab FrederickBogueNoyes,III 2010 2011

29 ROYAL ARCH MASONRY - A SHORT HISTORY Sidney Kase, Grand Historian, 1983-84 (With Minor Revisions For Clarity by Robert W. Benish) The Origins of Royal Arch Masonry It is impossible to state a specific date when Royal Arch Masonry began. It just grew, and before anyone realized, it was a "fait accompli," an accomplished fact. Prior to the formation of the Grand Lodge of England, in 1717, there were in existence Masonic Lodges and they, more or less, worked their own ritual. Masons designed and made their own individual aprons, much as Royal Arch Masons design their own "Marks" (after the Mark Master Degree). After the Constitutions of 1723 (compiled by James Anderson), there began to be some uniformity, but not much. Until 1797, this condition existed, with each Lodge "doing their own thing." Attempts to regulate the degrees all failed. At the time the Grand Lodge of England was formed in 1717, only two Degrees were in general usage in England and Scotland: The First or "Entered Apprentice," and the Second for "Master or Fellow Craft." The Third Degree, when it appeared in 1725, was what might be called an "Innovation," but in reality it was not. It arose by a splitting of the original First Degree into two parts, i.e., for the "Entered Apprentice" and the "Fellow Craft." The Original Second Degree then became the Third Degree. When the Third Degree (which now included the Hiramic Legend) appeared in print for the first time (in "Masonry Dissected") in 1730, it contained material, namely a "Lost Word," which subsequently formed one of the elements of the Royal Arch Story. The earliest evidence of the existence of the Royal Arch as a Degree was found in an Irish work entitled "A Serious Impartial Enquiry Into the Causes of the Present Decay of Freemasonry In The Kingdom of Ireland" by Dr. Fifield Dassigny in 1744. He wrote that the Royal Arch was a separate Degree for men who had passed the chair. It gradually passed into English Degree working where it was "grafted on" to the Third Degree. In the early days of the Ancient Lodge an "Ordinary Master Mason" was called a "Geometrical Master Mason" At one time a man could not become a Royal Arch Mason unless he went outside the jurisdiction of the Modern Grand Lodge and applied to the Antients for exaltation. He was then declared to have been admitted to "The Real Master Mason's Degree" (or the Order of Harodim, which in Hebrew means "The Rulers” or members of the August Sanhedrin). Therefore, we can associate the Royal Arch as being associated with the Antients Grand Lodge, and of English (or Irish) origin, although its roots are in Jewish Kabbalism. As for the Mark Degree, in 1598 in the "Schaw Statutes" relating to Operative Masonry in Scotland, we find a regulation requiring the Master or Fellow Craft to have his name and mark regularly inserted in the Lodge Book on attaining that grade. It was at that time not a ceremony or Degree. It developed in a Degree in the 1750's. Thus, the Mark Degree appears to have originated in Scotland. In 1797 Fowle, Hamner, Hurd, and Webb, plus others, met at Hartford, Connecticut, to see if some uniform ritual could be worked out. They agreed on the desirability of such and met again in 1798. They formed an organization with the name of "Grand Chapter of the Northern States." The presiding officer was called "General Grand High Priest." In each state were his Deputies who bore the title, "Deputy Grand High Priest." Later, each state became a separate unit, each with its own "Grand High Priest." The Deputy Grand High Priest moved down to second in command, although there was no ritualistic part for him. It may be assumed that the "Priest" assumed the top position for two reasons: (1) the colonies did not wish any more Kings to rule them after the recent experience with King George and the American Revolution and (2) the nature of the Degree work was amenable to such a "Theocracy" indirectly alluding to the doctrine that God was supreme over all secular governments. The “Founders" selected four Degrees: (1) Mark Master, (2) Past Master, (3) Most Excellent Master, and (4) Royal Arch Mason, as being compatible with Ancient Craft Masonry. The Royal Arch Degree had much to do with the split between the "Antients" (Atholl Grand Lodge, founded in 1751) and the "Moderns" (founded in 1717) but that is a whole story in itself. Suffice it to say that the two groups were able to reconcile their differences in the "Act of Union" in 1813, resulting in the formation of the "United Grand Lodge of England." In that Act, it was declared that "Pure and Ancient Masonry consists of three Degrees and no more, namely, those of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and the Master Mason, including the Supreme Order of the Royal Arch." This established, for all time, that the Royal Arch is a constituent part of Craft Masonry. The Royal Arch, therefore, must not be construed as a "Fourth Degree" of Freemasonry. Rather, it is the perfection and completion of the Master Mason.

30 Therefore, it may be reasonably argued, that no one is a complete Master Mason who has taken only the three Craft Degrees, even though he may be an Installed Master, a Past Master, or a Grand Lodge Officer. Let me reiterate that the Royal Arch Degree, or some form of it, was being worked in Ireland, Scotland, and England long before the Hartford, Connecticut, meeting of 1797. There are French manuscripts dating to 1760, and an English manuscript of the Royal Arch Ritual in the library of the Grand Lodge of England which dates to 1795. It should be noted that there is no Most Excellent Master Degree in the English system. The Most Excellent Master Degree is peculiar to the American Rite System. In England, in 1822, the Degree of Past Master or "Passing the Chair" was declared irregular, and Master Masons of twelve months' standing were accepted as candidates for the Royal Arch. Then in 1893, this was reduced to one month, which is the position presently. So, in contrast to our American System, the English System, and its adherents have only two Capitular Bodies: Mark Master, and Royal Arch. Indeed, there are separate Sovereign Chapters of each Body. Of course, the Mark Master is an extension of the Fellow Craft Degree, whereas the Royal Arch is the completion and perfection of the Master Mason Degree. Each of the Degrees of the Royal Arch or Capitular Body has its own history, which is beyond the scope of this volume. While Lawrence Dermott (of Ahimon Rehizon fame) did not invent Royal Arch Masonry, he did much to promulgate it. During the union of the two Grand Lodges (Moderns and Antients), it was he who engineered the placement of the Royal Arch permanently into the English System of Masonry. And so we find, today, that the Grand Master of the United Grand Lodge of England is by virtue of his station the First Grand Principal of the Supreme Grand Chapter of England. This does not hold true in either Scotland or Ireland. In the early history of the Rite in the United States there was an attempt to combine the Cryptic Degrees with those of the Chapter Degrees. This actually did happen for a while, but they then separated.

The Royal Arch Comes to America The Royal Arch Degree came to the North American Colonies officially in 1758, shortly after its adoption in England. The Warrant came from the Antients Grand Lodge. A Royal Arch Chapter was held in Philadelphia in 1758. In 1795 an irregular attempt was made to form an independent Grand Royal Arch Chapter, under warrant of certain Philadelphia Symbolic Lodges. The Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania thereupon suspended the Warrants of those Symbolic Lodges, and decided to sponsor a Grand Royal Arch Chapter under the sanction of the Grand Lodge of Pennsylvania. Actually, the military organizations (English, Scottish, and Irish regiments) of that period prior to the American Revolution should be credited with introducing Royal Arch Masonry into America (in Boston, New York, and Philadelphia). Most of the Regimental Lodges belonged to the "Antients" and so their influence exceeded that of the "Moderns." The earliest known record of conferring the Royal Arch Degree in the Western Hemisphere is in the Lodge at Fredericksburg, Virginia. . In the records of that Lodge is recorded that on December 22, 1753, three Masons were exalted to the Royal Arch Degree. Incidentally, Fredericksburg Lodge was George Washington's Mother Lodge. Washington was Entered an Apprentice Mason in November 1752, his Master Mason Degree on August 4, 1753. There is no record of George Washington being exalted to The Holy Royal Arch; however, there exist portraits of Washington wearing a Royal Arch Apron. This may have been the fancy of the early portrait artists depicting history as they saw it in their minds eye. In 1788, Washington served as the First Master of a Masonic Lodge to become President, holding, for a time, both that high office and that of Worshipful Master of his Lodge, a rare distinction. On becoming President, he said: "Integrity and firmness are all that I can promise." Washington was proud of his Masonry and frequently was noted as saying: "The object of Freemasonry is to promote the happiness of the human race."

Massachusetts In the years 1953-54, a special committee of the Grand Chapter of the Royal Arch Masons of Massachusetts sought to trace the Royal Arch Origins. St. Andrew's Chapter (called at that time a Royal Arch Lodge) was in existence on August 18, 1769 (A record bearing that date has been found.) Actually,Royal Arch Masonry existed in Massachusetts prior to September 30, 1768. Thus, Royal Arch Masonry was there six years before the arrival of the British Regiments. St. Andrew's Chapter worked the Royal Arch Degree under the "Borrowed" charter of St. Andrew's Lodge. It may be speculated that there was no actual Chapter but that St. Andrew's Lodge, itself, conferred the Royal Arch Degree.

31 It was after the arrival of the British Military with their Regimental Lodges that St. Andrew's Chapter (originally St. Andrew's Royal Arch Lodge) became organized as a chapter on April 9, 1769. This is really odd, this close association of the British Military and the Massachusetts Lodges, because the British Regiments were very unpopular in Boston, and particularly with St. Andrew's Lodge (the only Antient Lodge in Massachusetts) who were, at least, the motivators in the Boston Tea Party. It is interesting to note that the four Degrees of the Royal Arch at that time were Excellent, Super Excellent, Royal Arch, and Knight Templar. By August 10, 1769, it was no longer necessary that one had to be an actual Master or Past Master in order to become a Royal Arch Mason. The records of St. Andrew's Chapter show the date of July 20, 1793, as when the Mark Master Degree was first given. It is also noted that the Knight Templar Degree disappeared from St. Andrew's Chapter after the meeting of November 5, 1794. This is approximately the time of the beginning of the Commandery. King Cyrus Chapter, along with St. Andrews's Chapter, comprised the two original chapters of the Grand Chapter of Massachusetts from which the whole structure of Royal Arch Masonry ion America grew.

Washington State Washington was part of the Oregon Territory until 1853, and its first lodges were chartered by the Grand Lodge of Oregon. The Grand Lodge of Washington was organized December 6, 1858, and eleven years later it was attempted to organize a Royal Arch Chapter. On November 1, 1869, the General Grand Chapter issued a dispensation to Daniel Bagley, High Priest; Ilas F. Roberts, King; and Thomas M. Reed, Secretary, and a constitutional number of companions to form a chapter in Seattle, Washington Territory, under the name of Seattle Royal Arch Chapter No. 1. The General Grand Chapter granted a charter September 20, 1871; J. B. Lee, Grand King of the Grand Chapter of Oregon, was appointed to constitute the chapter. This charter was never delivered. Soon after organizing, a dispute erupted and the membership split into two factions. Because of irreconciliation, the General Grand High Priest on May 25, 1874, suspended the charter. With the charter forfeited, its number was assigned to Walla Walla Chapter. (Originally, it had been charted on September 29, 1871, as "No. 2," nine days after Seattle.) Olympia obtained a dispensation on March 24, 1873, with Thomas M. Reed as High Priest; Reuben H. Robertson, King; and Charles W. Bennett, Scribe. Due to the fact that on only one or two occasions were they able to get out the constitutional number of companions, and the fact that no work was done, not even by-laws adopted, the dispensation was therefore picked up at the 1877 Triennial. On November 1, 1881, on the recommendation of Walla Walla Chapter, a chapter dispensation was granted to Spokane Falls Chapter, with Louis Ziegler, High Priest; Lucius B. Nash, King; and John M. Wells, Scribe; and seven others. This chapter was constituted as Spokane Chapter No. 2 on December 8, 1883, by Jeremiah C. Hanna, Past High Priest of Carroll Chapter No. 73, Berryville, Arkansas. In 1883, the Seattle group attempted to organize a viable chapter again, and this time they were successful. Although they lost being "No. 1" to Walla Walla, they did make "No. 3." Their sponsor was Portland Chapter No. 3, of Oregon, which at that time was the closest chapter. Interestingly, three members of the original Seattle Chapter "No. 1" tried to become charter members of the "No. 3" but were prohibited from doing so, as it was thought they were under suspension on account of the forfeiture of the first chapter's charter. Seattle Chapter No. 3 was constituted September 5, 1883, by Theodore S. Parvin, Past Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Iowa. Fifteen petitioners from Tacoma organized a chapter, known as Tacoma Chapter No. 4, with its dispensation being granted on May 10, 1884. We'll go into more detail in subsequent chapters.

The Origin And Early Years Of The Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons Of Washington Following due notices and prior agreements, Royal Arch Masons representing the chapters in the Territory of Washington met in the Masonic Hall at Spokane Falls on Thursday, June 5, 1884. The following distinguished companions were present: Andrew McCalley, William Glasford, Rev. Harrison W. Eagan, and G. D. Leonard of Walla Walla Chapter No. 1; Louis Ziegler, F. Wood, Simon Berg, William A. Fairweather, Jacob Hoover, Robert Rankin, D. M. Drumheller, and Thomas M. Reed of Spokane Chapter No. 2, also John B. Blalock, Fred Firth, and William W. Poole of Seattle Chapter No. 3; M. W. Woods of Euphrates Chapter No. 15 of Nebraska; S. C. Davidson of Rochester Chapter No. 90 in Indiana; Louis Sohn of Portland Chapter No. 2 in Oregon; and H. W. Haston of Virginia Chapter No. 2 in Nevada.The Constitution and By-Law Committee consisted of Thomas M. Reed, Andrew McCalley, and William W. Poole.

32 Upon Adoption, the convention then proceeded to elect Grand Officers, as follows: Louis Ziegler, Grand High Priest; Andrew McCalley, Deputy Grand High Priest; William W. Poole, Grand King; William Glasford, Grand Scribe; Thomas Milbourne Reed, Grand Secretary; and Edward S. Ingraham, Grand Treasurer. The Installation took place at Walla Walla on October 2, 1884, with Andrew McCalley, Past Grand King of the Grand Chapter of Oregon, representing the General Grand High Priest doing the Installation, and then proclaiming the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons for the Territory of Washington duly constituted and its officers installed in Ample Form. At the First Annual Convocation, held June 2, 1885, at Tacoma, representatives from Tacoma Grand Chapter No. 4 were present, but were not allowed to vote. Grand High Priest Louis Ziegler condemned Royal Arch Masons who gambled on Sunday (or on any day), saying it violated Moral and Masonic Principles. The Grand Chapter also declared traffic in intoxicating liquors to be demoralizing, and a Masonic Offense. A Charter was granted to Tacoma Chapter No 4 At the Second Annual Convocation, held on May 31, 1886, Grand High Priest Andrew McCalley entertained some humor: "Charges" were preferred against the Grand Secretary and he was found guilty of having "...conducted the affairs of his office with all possible skill and care, having performed an uncommon amount of labor; and you stand before this Bar charged with having done and performed all these duties well and faithfully, and without having one single cent of recompense." He was thereupon presented with an ebony, gold-headed cane. At the Third Annual Convocation, three new chapters were chartered. At the Fourth Annual Convocation, the Grand Chapter recognized the Council as properly having charge of the Cryptic Degrees. The fifth year involved itself with bringing uniformity to the Royal Arch Ritual and making it conform to General Grand Chapter Ritual. This resolution was defeated by a vote of thirty-six to ten. The "Work" of General Grand Chapter was not adopted until January 1900. The first recorded mention of an "Outdoor Degree" occurred August 16, 1947, when more than two hundred Royal Arch Masons and their families gathered at Kaners Flats in the Chinook Pass area of Snoqualmie Forest. The Royal Arch Degree was conferred then in a natural, secluded amphitheatre, duly tyled. Walla Walla No. 1 was the Host Chapter under Special Dispensation. Since then, many such Masonic Meetings have been held around the state, such as the Mark Master Degree in the Stone Quarry at Tenino.** Washington State abounds in the magnificent beauties of nature, many of which provide natural settings for such gatherings.

General Grand Chapter The idea of a General Grand Chapter grew out of a desire to make the ritual in the various chapters uniform. Thomas Smith Webb and John Hanmer, from the Temple Chapter of Albany, New York, met with King Cyrus Chapter and St. Andrew's Chapter officers and held an organizational meeting in Hartford, Connecticut. On January 24, 1798, the General Grand Chapter was formed, comprising all the Northeast States. Ephraim Kirby of Litchfield, Connecticut, was elected first General Grand High Priest. This General Grand Chapter then proceeded to issue charters to all the then existent Royal Arch Chapters. It continues existing to our present day. It may be of interest to note that the Grand Master of Pennsylvania was automatically made Grand High Priest of that Grand Chapter. One individual who made it to Grand Master had never served as High Priest of his chapter. At that time the Principal Officers of a chapter were known as First, Second, and Third Chiefs. Today, the Supreme governing authority of the Capitular Degrees is known as the General Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons of the United States of America, or just "General Grand Chapter." It has jurisdiction over all states in the Union, with the exception of Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Texas. The General Grand Chapter has subordinate chapters in Alaska, Hawaii, The Philippine Islands, Puerto Rico, the Canal Zone, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Chile, Mexico, China, Isle of Pines, Japan, Germany, Cuba, and three Canadian Provinces (Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan), about three million members in all. It thus is the largest group of Masons under one head in the world. There are approximately 400,000 Royal Arch Masons in the United States. Each state, except for the three previously mentioned, are included in the General Grand Chapter. However, for all practical purposes, each member state is Sovereign, and governs itself. Each Grand Chapter is made up of representatives from each of its constituent chapters, who meet at least annually. At least two jurisdictions hold quarterly convocations. Thus, one can demonstrate the Pyramidal, Democratic structure of Royal Arch Masonry: starting with individual Chapters comprising a Grand Chapter in a Geographical unit, the Sovereign units then comprising the General Grand Chapter. As a side note, it should be recalled that our Illustrious Brother, George Washington, was once urged to become "General Grand Master" of Masons in the United States. He was also approached with the possibility of becoming "King" of the United States. To his everlasting credit, he rejected both propositions.

33 THE 1981 REPORT OF PAST GENERAL GRAND HIGH PRIEST A. J. LEWIS (Reported in "The Royal Arch Advance," October 1981)

I want to talk to you about the Promotion and Preservation of Our Masonic Heritage. Have you ever asked yourselves the question: "What induced you to become a Mason?" What intrigued you about Masonry which would cause you to spend your time and money and make personal sacrifices so that you could be numbered in that select group which composes Royal Arch Masonry? I can't answer for you, but I can answer for myself. I would suspect that all of us have the same reasons, love of the principles for which Freemasonry stands. In the past few years I have been privileged to meet with many of you in your own Grand Chapters. I left these meetings with a challenge which has made me work harder than before. It was that I might be able to claim some small part in the preservation of our Masonic heritage, that heritage which has been left us by those who have left the vineyard of Freemasonry. What is this heritage? What type vehicle have we used in the past 190 plus years to convey Capitular Masonry to our companions throughout the world? We would take far too much time and space to summarize all claims which the General Grand Chapter has made throughout its history. Some short reference to it is necessary if we are to correctly appraise its service to Capitular Masonry. On October 24, 1797, a small group of Royal Arch Masons met in Boston, Massachusetts, and set forth the fundamental principle that "No Grand Lodge of Master Masons can claim or exercise authority over any convention or chapter of Royal Arch Masons, nor can any chapter, although of standing immemorial, exercise the authority of a Grand Chapter." On January 24, 1798, delegates from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York resolved to form a Grand Chapter which would include Vermont and New Hampshire. Two days later a constitution was adopted, officers elected, and a Deputy Grand Chapter was provided for in each state. The names and respective order of the Capitular Degrees were defined. This arrangement has continued unchanged to the present day. In 1799, the title was changed to "The General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons for the Six Northern States of America." The Deputy Grand Chapters became "State Grand Chapter." The General Grand Chapter was limited in power, so that the sovereignty of any Grand Jurisdiction would never be threatened or usurped. General Grand Chapter was given control of ritual and of the establishment of chapters in states or areas where no Grand Chapters existed. The Constitution also gave the General Grand Chapter the right of defining the powers and functions of State Grand Chapters and Subordinate Chapters. It is interesting to note that one of the outstanding leaders of those instrumental companions who gave birth to General Grand Chapter was a young man, 26 years of age, who had been a native of Boston. Some historians say he was the father of our American York Rite. There could have been but one driving force in the mind of young Thomas Smith Webb than that to promote Royal Arch Masonry to the entire world, so far as he knew it at that time. Yes, a young man with a vision of the need of organized strength to be effective in promoting Royal Arch Masonry in those places where no state Grand Chapters could possibly promote. It is also interesting to note that those companions, who also gave of their time and means to help in establishing the vehicle of carrying Royal Arch Masonry to other lands, were young men with Masonic visions. What a heritage is ours because of the vision of many companions of long ago. In the light of history, even the most ardent opponent of the General Grand Chapter would be compelled to agree that it was entitled to credit for the following accomplishments: 1. It was the first Grand Chapter formed exclusively by Royal Arch Masons. 2. It is the creation of what is known as the "American Rite" of Royal Arch Masonry, by combining the degree of Mark Master with the Lodge degree of Past Master, and fabricating the Most Excellent Masters' degree as a preliminary to the Holy Royal Arch degree. 3. It formulated the laws creating a system of Jurisprudence for Capitular Masonry in this country. 4. It expanded Capitular Masonry into all the territory of the United States of America where no Grand Chapters existed and into territories extending from Alaska to Chile and from Puerto Rico to China, and in more recent times Europe, the Far East, and Central America. 5. When stripped of its Sovereign powers in 1859, it gracefully accepted its position as the center of a Confederation of Sovereign State Chapters, has never overstepped its authority in its position of subordination, nor has it attempted to exercise any authority, except those left to it by the constitutional changes. 6. It has consistently, since 1859, maintained its dignity as an organization exercising only its delegated powers.

34 7. It has proposed a new and progressive program wholly within its delegated powers, which comprehends the union of all Grand Chapters on this continent and others, in the Confederation for laudable purposes of extending Capitular Masonry throughout the Western Hemisphere and other parts of the world, bringing its beneficial light to all the nations therein. When we became the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons International, we accepted a responsibility for understanding and tolerance far beyond anything which we had encountered in our history. We created the entirely new concept of a true International Masonic Body. We now, many years later, include Subordinate Chapters and Grand Chapters throughout the world, and our Officers and Board of International Affairs are called upon for opinions on matters of International Masonic policy. We also know that there is no such thing as a codified International Law, hence more time and travel is encountered by those officers who serve in this capacity. We accept the proposition that the Craft Lodge teaches and emphasizes the "Brotherhood of Man." We also know that Capitular Masonry stressed the concept of the "Fatherhood of God" as a necessary and natural corollary. There should never have been any doubt as to the vital need for General Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons International Its basic strength lies in its universality and the confidence it has established over nearly two centuries of growth. As an instrument of good will, as a congress of ideas, and as a clearing house of developments, it has no equal. Such is a partial summary of the history of General Grand Chapter and the reason or purpose for its creation in 1797. In the past 50 years, General Grand Chapter has materially advanced Royal Arch Masonry throughout the world. The many services to chapters and Grand Chapters are too numerous to dwell on at this meeting. Yes, this august body of Royal Arch Masons was, and still is, that vehicle by which Capitular Masonry has been able to carry its message of Hope, Faith, and Charity to many parts of the world. Now that we have discussed the purposes of General Grand Chapter, let us look at our aims and goals for the future. I suppose each General Grand High Priest has aims he would hope to achieve during his tenure in office and I suppose that as long as new General Grand High Priests are selected each Triennial, there will be different personal aims of each, especially as to themes and programs each may select. However, if you will note, regardless of the different programs proposed over the many years, each has found its way back into the streams of the aims of General Grand Chapter, that of Promoting Royal Arch Masonry throughout the world. It will be the intent of this Capitular Administration to Preserve and Promote our Masonic Heritage, truly an inheritance of honor and pride. It is a worthy complement to the teaching of the Book of the Law. It is my desire—and I rejoice to say that my fellow officers concur—that we intend to help the treasures of Masonry to again flash brilliantly and continuously before an ever-widening portion of the world's population. If Masonry has become occasionally fragmented in the past, if it has ever become corroded by lack of use, then it has been the fault of those of us in the vineyards. We have failed to toil, to work as hard as we should.

Points of Our Program for 1981-84 Triennium 1. To Promote and Preserve our Masonic Heritage. 2. Continuity of Worthy Programs already established. 3. Educational Programs (in charge of incoming General Grand King). 4. Communication Program (in charge of incoming General Grand Scribe). 5. Cooperation Program (Covenant of Cooperation as instituted and signed between General Grand Chapter, General Grand Council, and Grand Encampment in 1966). 6. Promotion of our R.A.R.A. Philanthropy (Our Goal of One Million by the 1984 Triennial).

May I tell each of you that I consider myself as "Team Man" and have always found accomplishment when men worked together in harmony. Our York Rite Masonry is much larger than the efforts of any one man or a hundred men. It we can harness the teamwork of all York Rite men scattered over the Masonic World, to promote our York Rite and Royal Arch Masonry in particular, then we would never have problems with advancing our Royal Craft. If we could just awaken all Royal Arch Masons to the fact that we have the greatest responsibility of all Masons, in furnishing the avenues for the advancement of our Royal Craft, because it is only through the Arch that all of our York Rite must pass. Our responsibility is great. It is my hope and prayer that we may cement ourselves together with that cement of brotherly love and affection, and march forward with a steadfast determination to make us worthy of those Masonic Heritages left us by those generations that have preceded us. With hard work—dedication of purpose—cooperation of us all with God's Grace, we will not fail.

35 RECIPIENTS OF THE GENERAL GRAND CHAPTER DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD

BRONZE AWARD

*1952 George M. Malcolm (1) *1982 Donald D. McCune (32) *1953 Duke T. Fife (52) *1983 James “Sig” Oien (29) *1954 Charles E. Boughner (23) *1984 Donald L. Johnson (10) *1955 Strother D. Douglass (33) *1985 Henry Johnson (53) *1956 George P. Dubuque (15) *1986 Kenneth I. Fredlund (12) *1957 W.Lloyd Lyons(52) *1987 Waldo R. Glover (41) *1958 John Goneis (38) *1988 Edwin J. Eriks (59) *1959 Arthur Trudgeon (5) *1989 H. Everett Railsback (11) *1960 Joseph P. Ludwig (12) *1990 William E. Snyder (19) *1961 Charles E. Hzakes (45) *1991 Ronald N. Dingle (4) *1962 Pearl R. Brewer (61) 1992 Norman A. Watts (61) *1963 William E. Scheele (26) *1993 David F. Baer (55) *1964 Rodney Gilbert, Jr. (32) 1994 James B. Roberts (9) *1965 Tom Sowerbutts (4) *1995 G. Wallace Rynerson (67) *1966 George Burlingame (10) 1996 Leon D. Wise (37) *1967 Robert H. Hughes (3) 1997 Hiram H. Colburn (11) *1968 Wilson W. Godwin (12) 1998 John D. Keliher (4) *1969 John Osterback (2) 1999 Dean Quigley (52) *1970 LloydE. Reeder (32) *2000 John Beck (67) *1971 Carl C. French (10) 2001 Norman Campo (27) *1972 Dale V. York (4) *2002 Charles B. Montross (29) *1973 Leroy H. Newcomer (32) 2003 Arthur R. Shipe, Jr (32) *1974 Arthur M. Gregory (11) 2004 Jerry E. Whitney (66) *1975 Milton L. Crawford (8) 2005 Allan L. Ausman (39) *1976 Floyd W. H. Judd (45) *2006 Thomas P. Strand (46) *1977 Phillip Och (22) 2007 Ross B. Othus (46) *1978 Russell F. Dunn (51) 2008 Carl Bertil “Bert” Carlson (21) *1979 Dwight McCaw (1) 2009 Edward F. Willert (46) *1980 Jurie B. Smith (3) 2010 John S. Livie, Jr (39) *1981 Ben 0. Nelson (31) 2011 Bryon “Gene” Fish (66)

SILVER AWARD

*1971 Cecil M. Ward (46) *1981 Robert P. Monroe (33) *1990 Vernon Parks (31)j 2008 Thurston H. Dickason (19) *Deceased

36 ROYAL ARCH MASONS CHILDREN'S HEART FOUNDATION REPORT (1983) Report of Grand Historian To the Most Excellent Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of Washington Fraternally submitted by Marion F. Bing

The term or word historian has many meanings. Putting them all together, it means only one thing: written or recorded sequence of events about a person, place, or thing. The Junior Past Grand Historian compiled such a complete history of this Grand Chapter. It would be impossible or me to add anything of value to his report. With this in mind, I shall attempt to bring to you companions the history of the Royal Arch Masons Children's Heart Foundation. This will perhaps be boring and repetition to some. To others, however, I sincerely hope that it will shed some light and consequently bring desired results in furthering this charitable cause. May 1961, a resolution was presented at the 77th Annual Convocation in Aberdeen, Washington, to establish a Royal Arch Masons Children's Heart Foundation for the charitable purpose of raising funds to provide necessary medical and surgical relief of needy children under the age of 15 years without regard to race, color, or creed so that these children might be restored to active and useful lives. This was to be formed as a nonprofit organization under Washington State Laws and the governing body to be known as trustees consisted of not less than 3 nor more than 15 members. Their term of office was to be 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years. This resolution was adopted by the Grand Chapter and thus began the Royal Arch Masons Children's Heart Foundation. The next step became that of determining how to raise funds to support such a venture. Therefore, another committee submitted a resolution that Section 60 subdivision 5 of the Grand Chapter Constitution be amended to include the collection of $1 from each member on the rolls of each chapter with the exception of indigent members and members of the Masonic Home and turned into the Grand Chapter with its annual returns. Unfortunately, this resolution, although receiving a majority vote but not a unanimous vote, did not pass and was ordered laid over to the next Annual Convocation. At the 78th Annual Convocation held at Wenatchee, Washington, May 1962, the resolution to collect $1 per member per chapter was again presented before the Grand Chapter after two minor amendments. This resolution was adopted with the $1 contribution to begin January 1, 1963. It was also noted from the foundation secretary's report that contributions had been received from Florida, Montana, Oregon, Wyoming, and California as well as from those who were not members of the order. In May 1962, after all expenses except $5.25 were deducted, this included the cost of incorporations and organizing, the foundation had a grand total of $1,527.64. Also at this meeting the trustees were nominated and elected. At the 79th Annual Convocation held at Yakima, Washington, in May 1963, a resolution was presented asking that the annual $1 per member plus gifts and donations and bequests be the only fund available for medical care of accepted children and administrative costs of the foundation. Lacking unanimous approval, this resolution was ordered held over until the next Annual Convocation. The president of the board of trustees noted in his report that application forms had been sent to all chapter secretaries. He further reported that after receipt of the first application, the board of trustees thought it wise to have two board members personally check the family by visitation and explain the foundation. This was done for three reasons: first, to apprise the family of our order in a very tangible and impressive way; second, that the trustees might be aware of the dire need of some cases; and third, to be aware of the gratefulness and impact of our charity, perhaps for the first time. It was also noted that our charity had won the approval of the University of Washington Hospital, and surgical service and their fees had been reduced 25 percent. The first case was reported to have made a prompt recovery and two more applications had been approved. It was also noted that voluntary contributions had not been sufficient to carry on this work in its entirety. Publicity had seemed to some to be scanty. However, there had been some small articles in daily newspapers and the Associated Press.

37 The financial statement indicated much growth and progress. Funds had grown from $1,500 to almost $4,700 in the past year. At the 80th Annual Convocation held at Pasco, Washington in May 1964, the resolution held over from the year before was again presented to the Grand Chapter. This time it was adopted. The Grand Secretary felt it would be advisable that a separate depository be created in which all monies or property contributed to the foundation not otherwise impressed be set apart in said depository. He presented this as a resolution to the Grand Chapter. This resolution was adopted unanimously and this depository became known as the Grand Chapter Endowment Fund. All income derived there from was to be used for the benefit of the foundation. The principal sum of this fund was to be invested in interest bearing legal securities. This did not include the $1 per member assessment. From the president and the secretary's report we find the foundation beginning to be noticed in other Grand jurisdictions. Colorado York Rite Masons asked for and were furnished information regarding our activities, the setup of our corporation, and its mode of operation. The Grand Chapter of Texas printed almost verbatim report of our foundation. Applications for aid were also on the increase but funds were still limited. New brochures were being printed and distributed to lawyers, trust officers, and morticians for consideration when wills or bequests were being drawn up. We also note that our funds are increasing rapidly; we now have a grand total of $15,000 in the fund. At the 81st Annual Convocation, held in Auburn, Washington, May 1965, a resolution was presented to the Grand Chapter by Dr. Clement I. Krantz, Grand High Priest, to change the Grand Chapter Endowment Fund to the Royal Arch Masons Children's Heart Foundation Endowment Fund. This was necessary to prevent the Grand Chapter Endowment Fund from being liable for state and federal taxes. This resolution was adopted. A resolution was presented and adopted providing for the purchase of a lifetime membership for 30 times the annual contribution, which at this time would be $30. This would relieve the companions of the necessity of making any further payments. To date, four children have or were to receive surgery. We also noted with sorrow that one of these, “Lisa Kae Lampson,” was unable to survive her second operation. This was our first loss. We find that again we have had a successful monetary year. We have grown from $15,000 to $24,000. We learned that after two unsuccessful attempts we had finally been granted tax exemptions for both the foundation and contributors. At the 82nd Annual Convocation held in Spokane, Washington, May 1965, a resolution was presented and adopted to amend Section 192 on life memberships to read "the chapter granting such membership would pay the chapter per capita tax and any special assessments levied unless the life member had purchased the permanent contributing membership." The foundation continues to grow financially. This year we had an increase of some $15,000, bringing the total to date on hand $40,541.66. At this, the 83rd Annual Convocation, for the first time since its beginning, we find no resolutions pertaining to the foundation. To date, the foundation has approved 13 applications for assistance. The foundation has a grand total of $50,475. The interest on the endowment fund for the past year was $681. The foundation has been in existence only six short years and it continues to steadily grow—an indication of hard work on the part of each and every Royal Arch Mason. Most Excellent Companion High Priest, Bob, it has been an honor and a privilege to have served as Grand Historian for the past year. I thank you sincerely for this honor and privilege.

38 THE ROYAL ARCH PARK As printed in 1984 Edition

Through the dedicated efforts of many Royal Arch Companions and their families a beautiful recreational park of 40 acres is now enjoyed by hundreds of visitors and Companions. It is called Royal Arch Park and is located eight miles south of Renton, Washington, on the Renton - Black Diamond - Enumclaw Highway (state highway 169) in the community of Maple Valley. It is equipped with two double-stove kitchens and one single-stove kitchen, with hot and cold running water, electricity, modern lavatories, ball park, horseshoe courts, and a large parking space. The Cedar River runs throughout the center of the park and provides fishing, wading, and rafting. Many picnic tables are available as well as fuel for the stoves. The park is rented to varied groups as well as Masonic and concordant bodies at a very reasonable cost, necessitated to pay taxes and other essentials, at no profit. It is open from May 15 to August 31. The month of September is left open for use of the Royal Arch Companions and their families. Much credit is due the Royal Arch Widows for their very appreciated support; their fundraising ventures are numerous, successful, and very much appreciated. They have raised thousands of dollars for equipment, kitchen roofs, chainsaws, mowing machines, and many other necessary items. The ladies are a great asset to the association as well as the park; the success of the park depends on them and they have responded magnificently. A Life Membership in the Park is $30, which entitles the member and his family to use the park at any time that it is not rented. The exception is any Life Member can use the park through Friday any week, paying a small donation for overnight camping to cover electricity and essentials. if a Life Member invites several friends out for an all day picnic, a small charge will be made for visitors. For further information, call or write Howard W. Cole, 20825 Maple Valley Road SE, Maple Valley, Washington 98038, or phone 432-0079 or 432-0379.

THE TENINO STONE QUARRY As printed in 1984 Edition

Perhaps the most interesting period in Centralia Chapter's history is the ten years from 1944 to 1954. The Chapter not only exalted more Companions during this time than any ten year period before or since, but also began conferring the Mark Master degree in an actual stone quarry at nearby Tenino. On March 2, 1950, it was moved and seconded that Centralia Chapter No. 44 hold a special convocation in a quarry at Tenino. Very Excellent Companion Charles E. Bougner was named to promote the plan. This convocation was held on August 5 with Excellent Companion Francis J. Paulus, High Priest, presiding. Royal Arch Masons from throughout Washington and Oregon were present to receive 60 Brothers as Mark Masters. Such meetings were held each year in August until 1953. The Grand Chapter was always well represented as were the other Grand Officers of the Council and Commandery. The degree work was always well performed and most impressive. After laboring in the quarries, the Companions would meet with family and friends at Tenino Park to enjoy a well-prepared picnic. Throughout this time the officers and members of Sunset Chapter No. 23 greatly assisted in the work and the DeMolay boys from Centralia also assisted by helping to clean up the quarry and make it presentable for Good Work, True Work, Square Work. In 1954, a committee was appointed to attempt to purchase the quarry but was unable to do so. The quarry became unavailable for use. Thus ended the outdoor Mark Master degrees for which Centralia was so justly proud. Royal Arch Masonry, however, has continued and flourished. Centralia continues to be a stronghold of Royal Arch Masonry and shall carry on for many, many years to come.

39 TENINO STONE QUARRY, AUGUST 5, 1950

Registration for Mark Master Degree Gr. H.P. Carl L. Swanson Selecting the Degree Site Inspecting the Altar

Candidates having their picture taken Grand and Chapter Officers who attended

Photo shows overgrowth in 1983 (how it had changed in 33 years)

40 THE ANCIENT LANDMARKS OF MASONRY A. Byron Croop Grand Orator, 1965 To the Most Excellent Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of Washington:

In discussing the Landmarks of Masonry and the ancient usages and customs which are the root of our Masonic common law we are, of course, entering the field of Masonic jurisprudence with its many implications and ramifications. Jurists and lawyers, from very ancient times, have defended the common, or unwritten, law against legislative encroachment, in many cases bringing about the repeal of acts that were patently in opposition to the established customs and usages of the people. We find, then, that the common, or unwritten, law has all the force and authority of legislative enactments. Brother Roscoe Pound, a past Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Massachusetts, and long a Professor of Jurisprudence at Harvard University, has brought his brilliant legal intellect to bear on this subject and it is well worth any Masonic student's time to read his essays on Masonic Jurisprudence.

He divides Masonic law into three components parts, viz, (1) The Landmarks, (2) Masonic Common Law (the two comprising the unwritten law), and (3) Masonic legislation; or the written law.

I can do no better than to quote, at this time, a paragraph from one of his essays:

"Presupposing this threefold division, we have first, the Landmarks, a small not clearly Defined body of fundamentals which are beyond the reach of change. They are the prescriptive or unwritten constitution by which everything must be judged ultimately and to which we must all conform. Second, we have Masonic Common Law—the body of tradition and doctrine, which falling short of the sanctity and authority of the Landmarks, nevertheless is of such long standing, and so universal, and so well attested, that we should hesitate to depart from it and perforce wont to rely upon it whether to apply our own law or to appreciate the law of our neighbors."

Perhaps the first mention of Landmarks, of which any of us are aware, is to be found in the 28th verse of the 22nd Chapter of Proverbs which says: "Remove not the ancient Landmarks which thy fathers have set." The earliest mention in the written records of the fraternity regarding Landmarks is contained in the 39th article of the General Regulations which were compiled by Grand Master George Payne in 1720 in which he says: "Every Grand Lodge has an inherent power and authority to make new regulations, or to alter these, for the real benefit of this ancient fraternity; Provided always that the old Landmarks be carefully preserved." In the charge to the newly made Master Mason we hear these words: "Our ancient Landmarks you are carefully to preserve and never suffer them to be infringed nor are you to countenance any deviation from our established customs." In the 9th and 11th of the fifteen charges to the Master at his installation are to be found words of similar import. So we are made aware that there are certain unalterable and unrepeatable fundamentals that have come down to us from a time, 'Whereof," as Blackstone has said, "the memory of man runneth not to the contrary." What, then, we might ask, is a Landmark? Webster defines it as: "A mark to designate the boundary of land. Any object on land marking a locality." Perhaps we might better liken it to the "Bench Mark" of the surveyor, or something immovable and unchangeable from which to establish bearings and measurements should boundaries be destroyed by flood or quake or other catastrophes. In human behavior it has for thousands of years been the unchangeable virtue by which men charter their moral and ethical courses and on which they built their standards of right and justice. In Masonry, our Landmarks, as well as our common law, have evolved from those time honored and universal customs which have been the fundamental laws of the fraternity from a period so remote that their origin cannot be traced, and so essential that they cannot be modified or amended without changing the character of the fraternity.

41 Mackey defines them as, "Those ancient and therefore universal customs of the craft, which either gradually grew into operation as rules of action, or if once enacted by any competent authority, were enacted at a period so remote that no account of their origin is to be found in the records of history." Pound says, "By Landmarks in Freemasonry we are generally supposed to mean universal, unalterable, and unrepealable fundamentals which have existed from time immemorial and are so thoroughly a part of Masonry that no Masonic authority may derogate from them or do aught but maintain them." What, then, are the Landmarks of freemasonry? Since they presumably antedate the Grand Lodge period they must be found in the ancient usages and customs of the Craft, most of which may be found in the ancient Charges of which more than 70 copies are known to be in existence, all, believed by Masonic scholars to be copies of still older manuscripts. The Regius MSS is the oldest known MSS of Freemasonry, and while it is not strictly one of the "Old Charges" which were read at the making of Masons, it is an account of them in poetry, and contains the earliest version of the articles and points which are the basic of Masonic law and usage. It is estimated to have been written about 1390 and on account of its antiquity holds a peculiarly favorable position among ancient documents of the Craft. In addition to articles of similar import to those in the Begius and other MSS, the Harleian MSS No. 1942 contains a set called "The New Articles which are found in none of the other known MSS, containing much that shows the evolution that was going on at that period. They are said to have been agreed upon on the 8th of December, 1663. It also contains an obligation of much interest, claimed by some writers as the oldest Oath of Secrecy known to have been preserved in character. For several centuries before the eighteenth century, when a man was made a brother of our Fraternity, a long legendary history of Masonry was read to him from a MSS called the Book of Constitutions, after which one of the elders held the Bible, and the candidate placed his hand upon it and received "his charge." It was from one of these MSS, believed to be the Tews MSS of 1680 (which is printed in Appendix B in our Washington Masonic Code) that Dr. Anderson in 1723 prepared, "The Charges of a Freemason, Extracted from the ancient Records of Lodges beyond Sea, and those in England, Scotland, and Ireland, for the use of the Lodges in London; To be read at the making of new Brethren, or when the Master shall order it." The general heads were: (1) Of God and Religion, (2) Of the Civil Magistrates, Supreme and Subordinate, (3) Of Lodges, (4) Of Masters, Wardens, Fellows, and Apprentices, (5) Of the Management of the Craft in Working, (6) Of Behavior in the Lodge, after the Lodge is over and the Brethren not gone, When Brethren without Strangers but not in a Lodge, In the presence of Strangers not Masons, at Home and in the Neighborhood, and towards a strange Brother. Within their rather lengthy enumerations are contained the manners in which a Mason is to conduct himself with his Brothers and fellow man as well as his responsibility to God, his neighbors, and his government, both national and local. An interesting postscript speaks of an opinion of the great Lord Coke in regard to a Masonic altercation which seems to confirm the tradition of old Masons that this eminent jurist was a member of the ancient Craft. Time does not permit a recapitulation or digest of these rather lengthy Charges or of the General Regulations of Grand Master Payne which presumably contain our ancient Landmarks and form the base of our Masonic Common Law. As we shall see later on, many of the affirmations we know as Landmarks do not antedate the Grand Lodge era and hence lack the antiquity and origin necessary to make them Landmarks of the Craft. It would be interesting to enumerate and appraise the various lists of Landmarks that have been promulgated. Each list in its way reflects the philosophy of its author. Some of them read more like rules of etiquette or are a reaffirmation of Masonic legislation. A great variety of lists of Landmarks are available to us. Five American Grand Lodges tell us that the Old Charges contain the Landmarks. Twelve Grand Lodges have statements of their own, varying from the eight of West Virginia, seven of Massachusetts, and the noteworthy ten of New Jersey to the thirty-nine of Nevada and the fifty-four of Kentucky. In 1856 Robert Morris promulgated a list of seventeen. In 1856 Minnesota adopted a list of twenty-six, believed to be the earliest adoption by any Grand Lodge. In 1858 Albert G. Mackey proposed a list of twenty-five. Oliver soon thereafter a list of forty. Simons has proposed a list of fifteen. Lockwood, a list of nineteen. MacBride, a list of twelve, carefully divided into four divisions and devoting 47 pages to reasons and explanations for his choice. Joseph D. Evans, a Past Grand Master of New York, a list of nine. Henry B. Grant, for many years Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Kentucky, a list of fifty- four. Pound has enumerated a list of seven, which perhaps comes nearest to meeting the criteria of what a Landmark should be.

42 No Masonic scholar of any generation has given more thought and research and painstaking effort to Masonic education than Albert G. Mackey. Even though he himself recognized and corrected some of the errors in his earlier writing, and no doubt would alter them still further had he lived into our generation, and though, subsequently, scholars have found other of his assertions untenable, he is universally recognized as one of our greatest Masonic historians and has earned the respect and appreciation of all students of Masonry. No discussion of Masonic Landmarks should exclude those enumerated and promulgated by Brother Mackey. More of our Grand Jurisdictions have recognized his list of Landmarks than those of any other Masonic author, although many of them have been shown to be, instead, part of the common Law of Masonry. I have chosen to dwell at some length on Mackey's list because they have been so popularly adopted, even though many of them do not meet Mackey's own definition of what a Landmark should be. An enumeration of his twenty-five Landmarks and some comments thereon by other Masonic authors seems in order at this time. Both Mackey's statements and the replies thereto have been condensed but their meanings have not been impaired. Mackey's First Landmark: “The modes of recognition are, of all the Landmarks, the most legitimate and unquestioned. They admit of no variation; and if ever they have suffered alteration or addition, the evil of such a violation of the ancient law has always made itself subsequently manifest.” Pike: "Is it meant that the modes of recognition are the same everywhere? That is not true; because the substitute word used in England is wholly another word than that used here and the same that has long been used in France; because the order of two others has been transposed since 1723; because there are words used elsewhere that we do not use; and because some of the signs are different in different countries.” Pike:"Is it meant that the modes of recognition cannot be changed? They have been changed, and they may, if it be found necessary, be changed again. And modes of recognition are not principles, much less essential and fundamental principles." Pound cites many different words that have been used and says: "One cannot doubt that the established modes of recognition are upon a much firmer basis that the ephemeral creations of Grand Lodge legislation and Grand Lodge decision. As far as anything can be established short of the Landmarks these are established. They are a part of our common law and deserve to be cherished as such." Mackey's Second Landmark: “The division of symbolic Masonry into three degrees is a Landmark that has been better preserved than almost any other, although even here the mischievous spirit of innovation has left its traces, and by the disruption of its concluding portion from the third degree, a want of uniformity has been created in respect to the final teaching of the Master's degree.” Pike: "Ancient craft Masonry had no degrees. These were made about 1723, and 40 years afterwards there were lodges under the Grand Lodge of England that had never accepted them." Pound: "Perhaps it is enough to say that there seems indubitable proof that originally there were 'two' parts and that our present system arose in some way between 1723 and 1728 and was not accepted universally for many years after the latter date. And yet nothing in Masonry short of a Landmark could be better established, or so well attested in that it is the common element in every rite that has ever been devised—as to be a fundamental institution of Masonic common law." Mackey's Third Landmark: “The legend of the third degree is an important Landmark, the integrity of which has been well preserved. There is no rite in Masonry, practiced in any country or language, in which the essential elements of this legend are not taught. The legend of the temple builder constitutes the very essence and deity of Masonry. Any rite which should exclude it, or materially alter it, would at once cease to be a Masonic rite.” Pike: "This was not introduced into Masonry until about 1723 and those who believe that the legend is true must believe that the two Kings and Hiram, the Artificer, were Freemasons, and therefore, that there was Freemasonry before the facts recited in the legend had occurred." Pound: This is the fourth in Pound's list of seven Landmarks that he lists as such. He has this to say, "Here certainly we have something that meets the criteria of immemorial antiquity and universality. The symbolism of resurrection is to be found in all primitive secret rites. And in all the rites of antiquity and the ceremony of death and rebirth is one of the oldest of human institutions." Mackey's Fourth Landmark: “The government of the fraternity by a presiding officer called a Grand Master, who is elected from the body of the Craft. Many persons ignorantly suppose that the election of the Grand Master is held in consequence of a law or regulation of the Grand Lodge. Such, however, is not the case. The office is indebted for its existence to a Landmark of the Craft. Grand Masters are to be found in records of the institution long before Grand Lodges were established." Gould says: “This Landmark was removed in England, as I have shown, by the Grand Lodge when it arrogated the power to elect the Grand Master. This seems to me to have been the removal of one of the chief Landmarks of Masonry, if not the very first and most fundamental and essential of all."

43 Pike: “There is no evidence that there was a Grand Master in England before Sayer was elected in 1717. Masonry existed and there were lodges of Masons in England and Scotland long before there were either Grand Lodges or Grand Master." Pound: “It must be concluded that the institution of the Grand Master is no Landmark. Yet here is an undoubted and fundamental institution of Masonic Common Law. From the revival of 1717 to the present the Grand Mastership has been the cornerstone of Masonic organization and is as thoroughly a part of Masonry as anything short of a Landmark can be." Mackey's Fifth Landmark: “The prerogative of the Grand Master to preside over every assembly of the Craft. It is in consequence of this law, derived from ancient usage, and not from special enactment, that the Grand Master assumes the chair at every communication of Grand Lodge and that he is also entitled to preside at the communication of every subordinate Lodge, where he may happen to be present.” Pike: “There could have be no such right before there were Grand Masters; nor is their prerogative known to have been claimed or exercised anywhere in the early days of Masonry.” Mackey's Sixth Landmark: “The prerogative of the Grand Master to grant dispensations for conferring degrees at irregular times. This prerogative he possessed in common with all masters before the enactment of the law requiring probation, and as no statute can impair his prerogative, he still retains the power, although the Masters of Lodges no longer possess it.” Pike: "This prerogative not anciently possessed by the Grand Master in as much as each Lodge was entirely uncontrolled in regard to conferring degrees, and conferred them when it pleased." Mackey's Seventh Landmark: “The prerogative of the Grand Master to give dispensations for opening and holding Lodges. He may grant, in virtue of this, to a sufficient number of Masons, the privilege of meeting together and conferring degrees. The Lodges thus established are called "Lodges under Dispensation." They are strictly creations of the Grand Master, created by his authority, existing only during his will and pleasure, and liable at any moment to be dissolved at his command.” Pike: "The old Lodges were opened and held by the spontaneous and free action of the members, without authority from anyone. The practice of granting Warrants and Charters grew up in modern days, and the Grand Lodges may, if they see fit, take away from the Grand Master the power of granting what was not incorrectly styled dispensations." Mackey's Eighth Landmark: “The prerogative of the Grand Master to make Masons at sight. This prerogative is presumed to derive from the Grand Master's power to grant dispensations for opening and holding Lodges. If he can grant it to others he can assume this privilege to himself.” Pike: "Could do as described but is not a Landmark and is no longer permitted." Pound: "Mackey's 4th , 5th , and 7th Landmarks having to do with the prerogatives of the Grand Master cannot be admitted to be Landmarks because the office did not exist in form or function before 1717 and cannot be of immemorial antiquity. They are, however, undoubtedly common law.” Pound: “Mackey's eighth Landmark has been the subject of much debate and clearly is not a general institution of Masonic common law. Believed to have been exercised by eighteenth century Grand Masters." NOTE: Also, done in this country in recent years. Mackey's Ninth Landmark: “The necessity for Masons to congregate is another Landmark. It is not to be understood by this that any ancient Landmark has directed that permanent organization of subordinate Lodges which constitutes one of the features of the Masonic system as it now prevails. But the Landmarks of the craft always prescribed that Masons should from time to time congregate together, for the purpose of either operative or speculative labor, and that these congregations should be called Lodges. Formerly these were extemporaneous meetings called together for special purposes. The present structures of Lodges are modern innovations wholly outside the Landmarks and dependent entirely on the special enactment of a comparatively recent period.” Pike: "This was undoubtedly a Landmark." Pound: "As a Landmark this must fail. Yet nothing is more undoubted in Masonic common law than the system of regular and permanent Lodges that grew up in England after 1691 and became an established part of our Grand Lodge system in 1717." Mackey's Tenth Landmark: “The Government of the Craft, when so congregated in a Lodge by a Master and two Wardens, is also a Landmark.” Pike: “This was undoubtedly a Landmark." Pound: "The Master and Wardens were recognized and their duties defined in the old ordinances of the "Steinmetzens" of the fifteenth century. The number three in the numerical symbolism of Masonry suggests strongly the antiquity of the Master and Wardens. On the whole this tenth of Mackey's Landmarks comes very near to fulfilling the requirement. I have before indicated my reasons for not so recognizing it. At any rate, its place as an institution of our common law is secure."

44 Moore: “By most standards and definitions this should be considered a Landmark. The number and designations of the stations have come down to us from the Indian Mysteries through all the Mysteries of Egypt and Greece; through the Roman Collegia, the Comacine Masters and, as Pound has said, the Steinmetzens of Germany.” NOTE: The tenth Landmark in a list of twenty-six adopted in 1856 by Minnesota permits the Grand Master to make Masons at sight and to grant dispensations to a subordinate Lodge for the same purpose. In our Grand Lodge fraternal correspondent's report there are frequent notices of this act in various Grand Jurisdictions in recent years. Mackey's Eleventh Landmark: “The necessity that every Lodge when congregated should be duly tiled. The officer of Tyler is wholly independent of any special enactment of the Grand or Subordinate Lodges.” Pike: "Undoubtedly, it was a Landmark that the work of the Lodge should be done in private, but is was not necessary that it should have a Tyler at its door, if it could be otherwise made secret and secure." Pound: "Undoubtedly we must agree that secrecy is a Landmark. It is an immemorial universal characteristic not only of Masonry, but of all like societies which have existed among all men in all times. However, for myself I should say that it is not a Landmark." Moore accepts Makeys' view entirely. Mackey's Twelfth Landmark: “The right of every Mason to be represented in all general meetings of the Craft and to instruct his representation.” Pike: "it was never a Landmark that a Lodge represented in Grand Lodge could instruct its representatives there in regard to questions and matters as they arose." Pound: “This is certainly Masonic common law, but I am confident it cannot be maintained as a Landmark." Such provision is contained in Article 10 of Grand Master Payne's general regulations of 1720. Mackey's Thirteenth Landmark: “The right of every Mason to appeal from the decisions of his Lodge convened, to the Grand Lodge or General Assembly of Masons, is a Landmark highly essential to the preservation of justice, and the prevention of oppression.” Pike: “There never was any right of appeal from the decision of a Lodge to the General Assembly, except so far as it was given by Grand Lodge and in regard to very many decisions, never has existed in England at all." Pound: "The conclusive objection is that this alleged Landmark assumed the existence of Grand Lodges prior to 1717, which we cannot concede. Nevertheless, this is clearly a doctrine of Masonic common law." NOTE: This so-called Landmark does not meet Mackey's own definition of immemorial antiquity. Mackey's Fourteenth Landmark: “The right of every Mason to visit and sit in every regular Lodge. The right of visitation has always been recognized as an inherent right, which inures to every Mason as he travels throughout the world. This right may, of course, be impaired or forfeited on special occasions by various circumstances, but when admission is refused to a Mason in good standing, who knocks at the door of a lodge as a visitor, it is to be expected that some good and sufficient reason shall be furnished for this violation of what in general is a Masonic right, founded upon a Landmark of the Craft.” Pike: "There never was any such right. Any member of a Lodge can object to a Mason seeking to visit his Lodge." Pound: This is a Mackey pronouncement that Pound dwells on at some length. While admitting that there might be a Landmark of visitation harking back to the operative days when traveling Masons were received with hospitality and either provided with work or sustained to another job, he asks, "What, however, are its limits? This is one of the most vexing problems in Masonic Jurisprudence." And he proceeds after many pages of legal possibilities and involvements of clandestine bodies to circumscribe the right so thoroughly as to practically destroy it. Robert Morris says, "There is no question in our mind but that a Lodge has the right to prohibit intrusion from visitors at any and all times at its own discretion." Moore says, "The very custom of asking permission to visit implies the power to refuse the visitor admission." Mackey's Fifteenth Landmark: “That no visitor unknown to the brethren present, or to some one of them as a Mason, can enter a Lodge without first passing an examination according to ancient usage, unless by strict trial, due examination, or lawful information.” Pike: “It is a law enacted by the Grand Lodge of England that no brother can visit without being vouched for; but in most countries of the world there are no examinations, a visitor being admitted upon production of his diploma or patent. If it is a Landmark that no person not vouched for can visit without being examined, brethren from other countries in which the English language is not spoken, and in which the word differs from ours, will always find their patents valueless." Mackey's Sixteenth Landmark: “No Lodge can interfere with the business of another Lodge, nor give degrees to Brethren who are members of other Lodges. It has been repeatedly recognized by subsequent statutory enactments of all Grand Lodges.” Pike: "This is entirely too vague and general to be a landmark. It might be stretched wide enough to cover the doctrine of perpetual proprietorship over a rejected candidate."

45 Pound: "Landmarks cannot be deduced from principles in this way. In other words the legislation of our Grand Lodges on this subject is not declaratory of a Landmark. Together with all other rules that presuppose our modern Lodge system, it can only be a rule of Masonic common law. Moore: “It is the 'statutory enactments' which have made the so-called landmark, and not the Landmark which produced the statutes." Mackey's Seventeenth Landmark: “Every Freemason is amenable to the laws and regulations of the Masonic jurisdiction in which he resides, and this, although he may not be a member of any Lodge. Non-affiliation which is in fact a Masonic offense does not exempt a Mason from Masonic jurisdiction.” NOTE: Mackey always insisted that non-affiliation was a Masonic offense. This is not considered so in our country at least and, I believe, nowhere else in the world. However, among American Grand Jurisdictions a sojourning Mason is amenable to the laws and regulations of the jurisdiction in which he resides. Pike has this to say: "This is not true, except to a limited extent. The language is too general and indefinite." Pound says: "This alleged Landmark, as a Landmark, is open to the conclusive objection that it presupposed a territorial jurisdiction in Lodges, something which did not come into existence until well along in the eighteenth century." Pound asks, "Would we become amenable to the Grand Orient of Italy in every respect if we lived under it non-affiliated?" And expounds extensively on jurisdictional laws in general. Moore cites our Grand Lodge of Washington recognizing certain Negro lodges during the Grand Mastership of our venerable William H. Upton in 1898 and 1899 and the subsequent furor it caused among our American Grand Loges. Moore's statement, however, is incorrect, as the Grand Lodge of Washington has never recognized any form of Negro Masonry. Not until 1907 did Delaware (the last of 17 Grand Lodges to severe relations with us) finally reestablish fraternal recognition. Mackey's Eighteenth Landmark: “Certain qualifications of candidates for initiation are derived from a Landmark of the Craft. These are that he shall be a man, free born, and of lawful age.” Pike: 'It was not anciently necessary that, to become an apprentice, one should be a man of lawful age. He was described as a "youth," and was generally not of age. Nor is it now always necessary in England that he should be freeborn." NOTE: (Both Washington and Preston became Masons before the age of twenty-one.) Pound says: "Primitive society looked upon the man who was not whole very differently from the way in which we now regard him. Serious physical injuries or physical defects will not prevent him from being a useful and happy member of society. English Masons have never insisted on physical perfection and our American distinctions are quite unknown to them. At most, therefore, this is but common law." Mackey's Nineteenth Landmark: “A belief in the existence of God as the C.A.O.T.U. is one of the most important Landmarks of the order.” Pike: "The phrase is not an ancient one and does not express an adequate idea of the Deity. And the truth is, that it was originally and for a very long while, in England and Scotland, a Landmark that no one not a Christian and a believer 'in the trinity could be made a Mason'." Pound: This is Number One on Pound's list of Landmarks. He states: “For this Landmark we may vouch:” 1. The testimony of the Old Charge to be true to God and the holy church. (the last an addition by Anderson) founded thereon. 2. Resolution of the Grand Lodge of England that the Master's obligation contains the ancient Landmarks. 3. The religious character of primitive societies and all that were founded thereon. 4. The consensus of Masonic philosophers as to the objects and purposes of the fraternity. 5. The consensus of Anglo-American Masons, in the wake of the Grand Lodge of England, in ceasing to recognize the Grand Orient of France after the change in its Constitution made in 1877. Mackey's Twentieth Landmark: “Belief in a resurrection to a future life. To believe in Masonry, and not to believe in a resurrection, would be an absurd anomaly, which could only be excused by the reflection that he who thus confounded his belief and his skepticism, was so ignorant of the meaning of both theories as to have no rational foundation for his knowledge of either.” Pike: "Everyone must believe in another life for the soul of man; belief in a life, that is a continuance of this, but not in any sense a resurrection, being certainly sufficient." Pound: This is Number Two on Pound's list of Landmarks. He has this to say: "Perhaps Mackey's meaning is less dogmatic than his words. Perhaps any religious doctrine of persistence of personality after death would satisfy his true meaning. Certainly it is true that our whole symbolism from the entrance naked and defenseless to the legend of the third degree is based on this idea of persistence of personality. Moreover, this same symbolism is universal in ancient rites and primitive secret societies. I see no reason to reject this Landmark."

46 Mackey's Twenty-First Landmark: “That a "Book of the Law" shall constitute an indispensable part of the furniture of every Lodge. Meaning that volume which, by the religion of the country, is believed to contain the revealed will of the Grand Architect of the Universe. Hence, in all Lodges in Christian countries, our Bible; in Judaism, the Old Testament: in Islamic countries , the Koran, etc.” Pike: "It does not appear that this was required in the older days of Masonry.” Pound: This is Number Three on Pound's list of Landmarks. He says: "We come now to an alleged Landmark about which a great controversy still rages. Perhaps the point most open to criticism here is that it must be the book accepted as the word of God by the 'religion of the country." In Indian, Englishmen sit with Hindus, Mohammedans, and keep the Bible, the Koran, and the Shasters among the Lodge furniture. It seems impossible not to accept Mackey's twenty-first Landmark in the sense of having a recognized book of religion among the furniture of the Lodge and obligating candidates thereon." It is interesting to note in this connection that the Bible was not on the altar of Lodges for a long time but was on the Master's pedestal and was not part of the furniture of Lodge until in the 1860's when on motion of William Preston it was made one of the Great Lights. Another interesting sidelight in this connection is to note that Masonry went to France about 1724 and from 1795 under the name of the Grand Orient of France was the same as the Grand Lodge of England in respect to its treatment of the Bible, when in 1849 it affirmed its belief in Deity and the immortality of the soul. Until this time and from then until 1877 the Bible was part of their Lodge furniture. Not until sometime after 1860 did the Grand Lodge of England, as we mentioned earlier, made the Bible part of the furniture of their Lodge. In 1877 the Grand Orient of France, after 82 years of existence as such, substituted their Book of Constitutions for the Bible on their altar, at the suggestion of a protestant minister, because of political unrest in France and the claiming of the Roman Catholic Church that Masonry was fostering a spurious religion. The Grand Lodge of England immediately withdrew recognition, followed by most of the Grand Lodges of the world. Since that time the Grand Orient has been without fraternal recognition by most of our Grand Lodges. Mackey's Twenty-Second Landmark: “The equality of all Masons is another Landmark of the Craft. The doctrine of Masonic equality implies that, as children of one great Father, we meet in the Lodge upon the level.” Pike: “It is not a Landmark of Masonry that all men are equal in the sight of God. But it is a Landmark that on the floor of a Lodge all Masons stand on one common level. It is not true that we are bound to admit to that common level of men of all kinds and races who may apply." Mackey's Twenty-Third Landmark: “The secrecy of the institution is a most important Landmark.” Mackey's definition of this is somewhat involved. He differentiates between secret societies and a society with certain secret forms of identification and ritual but he defends it as a Landmark by its ancient lineage and customs of primitive societies. Pike: “It is not true that Freemasonry is a secret society. But it is a Landmark that the secrets of freemasonry cannot be divulged." Pound: "If anything in Masonry is immemorial and universal and if the testimony of ancient and primitive rites counts for anything at all, we may at least set up the requirements of secrecy as an unquestioned Landmark." This is the fifth in his list of Landmarks. Mackey's Twenty-Fourth Landmark: “The foundation of a speculative science upon an operative art, and the symbolic use and explanation of the terms of that art, for purposes of religious or moral teaching, constitute another Landmark of the Order.” Pike: "There is neither science nor art in Freemasonry. Its true definition is that it is a system of morality, veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols." Pound: "Perhaps one might say that it is a fundamental tenet of Masonry that we are Masons. But it is worthy of note that this symbolism is significantly general in ancient and primitive teaching through secret rites." This is the sixth on Pound's list of Landmarks. Mackey's Twenty-Fifth Landmark: “That the Landmarks of Masonry can never be changed.” Pike: "But they can be, and they have been. It is true that its real Landmarks ought not to be changed. But who is to say what these are?" We may well list, at this time, the lists of Landmarks propounded by Roscoe Pound. 1. Belief in God, 19th on Mackey's list 2. Belief in the persistence of personality, 20th on Mackey's list 3. Book of the Law, 21st on Mackey's list 4. Legend of the third degree, 3rd on Mackey's list 5. Secrecy, 11-23 on Mackey's list 6. Symbolism of the Operative Art, 24th on Mackey's list 7. Must be a man freeborn and of age, 18th on Mackey's list

47 Pound seems to be on a surer footing than any of the other authors. He has looked more to the ancient primitive rites from which we have inherited nearly all of our symbolism, for the roots from which most of our Landmarks have sprung. From some of them we may trace our ancestral descent.

Of our American Grand Lodges: 13 have no official list of Landmarks 5 have designated the Old Charges 12 have adopted Mackey's list 7 have adhered to Mackey's list by custom 12 have adopted their own list

It would be interesting to enumerate and appraise the various lists of Landmarks that have been promulgated. Each list in its way reflects the philosophy of its author. Some of them read more like rules of etiquette or are a reaffirmation of Masonic legislation.

The objective of this comparative analysis and the quotation of different authors has been, not to confuse, but to bring into proper perspective the thoughts and reasoning of various minds as to the separation of our Landmarks from the body of Masonic common law. The two together constitute our unwritten law and they are as binding on us as any written or enacted legislation and to them we must conform. Masonry would not be the distinctive fraternity that it is without them.

MASONIC SYMBOLISM Fraternally submitted Delmar Don Fitch Grand Orator

Masonry is the most incredibly intellectual movement of all time. There is nothing to remotely compare with Masonry. It has outlived every religious belief, every political system, and every geographic location. It has been damned, praised, depressed, but it lives today more strongly and more vigorously than ever. If during your lifetime you should come upon one whose teachings seem too deep for you to comprehend, spend a little time in study yourself and then meditate upon his thoughts, that the light may dawn within you. We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; however, the real tragedy of life is that Masons are afraid of the Light which they profess to seek. Human life in our present world faces two dangers; both appealing, powerful, and urgent. One is laziness; the other, tyranny. It is perfectly possible that, by the end of this century, the civilized world will have grown so rich and so comfortable, and so deeply devoted to simple, asinine pleasure, that thought will be abolished or else reserved for the very few. Education could dwindle to nothing more than job training and courses in social relationships, and life will collapse into a delightful similar routine of a few hours of mechanically routine work followed by jolly picnics and cheap amusements. Masons have, for centuries, been builders in thought and would soon tire of this lack of using the mind for good. The world has always had two leading groups of men with the lazy, I-don't-care group in between. The first group are the Truth Seekers into which class we, as Masons, should fit. These truth seekers attempt to put the light, or knowledge, before their brethren in such a way as to make it appeal to them so that these brethren will be drawn into the light. The second group are the tyrants who are continually seeking to enslave the masses by destroying the purveyors of that truth, thus hiding or concealing the light that they may keep those masses in darkness and slavery. Evidence of this struggle shows in both Bible History and Masonic History. The truth seekers strive to enlighten the masses and lead them out of bondage, while the tyrants strive to crush the Masters of Light to keep the masses in ignorance or darkness.

48 The Ancient Royal Arch Masons regarded the universe as a unit of light and that unit was based on the Astral Light, which modern science calls Cosmic Radiation. No work nor system of the ancient Masons has been more bitterly condemned than that of Astral Light, yet it is the only science the world has ever had. Language does three things: it speaks, it signifies, and it conceals. When persecution was at its peak the Masons used their language and symbols more to conceal trust from the mundane—knowing that the truth seeker would find the key and unlock the truth contained in the symbol. The Ancient Royal Arch Masons, Masters of the Occult, had an ingenious symbol that embodied the four principals of creation. The symbol was designated by a name of four letters, and the name was never pronounced. It was always spelled. This secret word was called the ineffable name of deity, and the church fathers used this name of deity in their Bible. These four symbols of creation are represented by the four veils of the Royal Arch and each veil represents an object, a figure, or a type as:

The Lion of the fourth veil of the Royal Arch is the symbol of fire and fierceness; white is the symbol of purity of life and rectitude of conscience. The Ox of the third veil is the symbol of earth and patience, while its color of scarlet is the symbol of fervency and zeal. The Man of the second veil represents knowledge and thought, its purple color is a symbol of togetherness. (Editor: This veil is added to the original manuscript for the sake of continuity.) The Eagle of the first banner denotes swiftness and is a water sign. Its color of blue is the symbol of friendship, and all four together symbolize the four multiplicities of fire, earth, air, and water, which forms the fixed cross of the zodiac upon which the Christ was crucified between the two thieves—one on the cardinal cross, the other on the mutable cross.

The scepter of Masonry is a symbol of power; the All-Seeing-Eye is the symbol of omniscience. Symbolism was also used by Masons to meet a real need since "Words there are none for the heart's deepest desires." The first learning of the world consisted chiefly of symbols. The wisdom of the Ancient Masons was symbolic. The legends of the Ancient Masons are parables, and a parable is only a spoken symbol. By its utterance the spiritual things of Masonry are better understood, and make deeper impressions on the attentive mind. Symbolism favors independence and promotes mental development. Only a symbol can free man from the slavery of words and permit him to rise to the possibility of thinking freely—a function prohibited by some institutions and organizations, the result being Mind Control and Mental Slavery. Only by the use of symbols can we penetrate deeper into the secrets of life; into those facts and truths which some so readily transform into monstrous delusions. When we attempt to express them in direct words without the aid of symbolical allegories, we fail. The silence which ancient Masonry imposed upon its initiates finds it justification in this fact. An effort of the mind is required for the understanding of occult secrets. They can illuminate the mind internally, but cannot serve as a theme for rhetorical arguments. Masonic knowledge cannot be expressed and transmitted orally or in writing. Only by profound meditation can it be acquired. It is necessary to penetrate deeply into the inner man, the Kingdom within, to discover it. Those who seek it outside of themselves are on the wrong path and Lost. It is in this sense that we must understand the world of Socrates, "Know Thy Self." For the Magic Kingdom is within as mentioned in Luke 17:21. So the Bible says, "Be still and know that I am God." Center your attention and still the mind at the eye center and the deepest truths of Masonry will be revealed unto you.

49 VICISSITUDES OF MASONRY Report of Frank R. Dixon Grand Historian To the Most Excellent Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of Washington

I thank Most Excellent High Priest Richard D. Hein for my appointment as Grand Historian. In writing this I have gained much insight into our great Fraternity and hope I have conveyed to you a few thought provoking ideas.

As Grand Historian, I would like to delve into some of the trials of Freemasonry. To do so I shall review briefly the early history of Masonry. The earliest history comes from the "Old Charges." The oldest of these is the Regis manuscript, written in poetry about 1390. The other is the Cooke manuscript, dating about 1410, and is in prose. They both seem to have been written by the same author, and are now lodged in the London Museum. It is fairly certain that these written contents are not as old as the subject they chronicle. Historians are sure that Masonry was developed over a long period of time far beyond these early writings. However, they do record the beginning of Masonry in England to the historians' satisfaction. We take for granted that Masonry came about as a guild for the craft of applied masonry. The free part of the name probably came from the fact that they worked in freestone and later the "free" came to mean free to travel from one job to another. The craftsmen went from one job site to another in often remote and isolated places, and lodges were set up in these places, such as Windsor Castle and other old historical buildings throughout England, Ireland, and Scotland. The early lodge was not only a workshop but a social place to gather: a place for a siesta in the middle of the day, for drinking at permitted times, for exchanging news, and for airing grievances pertaining to the craft. There gradually developed a lodge in which the operative craft changed into speculative form from which we derive the lodge now known as the Accepted Masonry. It was in these early lodges that the Masonic word was originated as a method of distinguishing one another. The signs, handgrip, and the work were communicated in such a way that unauthorized persons were easily detected. Thus, Freemasonry came about in the modern sense of the word. The first non-operative lodges were formed about 1600 and were composed of members of both craftsmen and nobility, which gave them a great deal of respectability and they were gradually taken over entirely as lodges for men of means and refinement. About this time the Grand Lodge of England was formed, followed by a rival Grand Lodge in Ireland, claiming the English had departed from ancient traditions. They called themselves Ancients. Later the two joined and became known as the Ancient and Accepted Masons of England. The ceremonies developed from practices of these ancient lodges of the 17th century into our present tri-gradal systems used today. The year 1717 stands out in Masonic history. Freemasonry was spread over all of Europe, Asia, and to America. This was called the age of enlightenment or the Great Revival. About this time the Organized Church began to feel that the lodges were overstepping their theological prerogatives and set up objections. In France the speculative lodges ran into trouble and were subject to difficulties because the church/state regarded them unfavorably. The theological bodies declared the rituals to be blasphemous and the use of the watchword to be a mortal sin. In retaliation, French Masons became so hos- tile to the authority they abolished the requirement to believe in the Great Architect of the Universe. In 1738 Pope Clement XII condemned the society of Freemasonry and forbade the Catholics joining the lodges. Until this edict many Roman Catholics worked actively in the craft. This has been the Official Position of the Roman Catholic Church to this day.

50 The Official Position of the Lutheran Church of the Missouri Synod and Fundamental sects and other groups banded together to publish, under the title of the National Christian Association, powerful opposition to Freemasonry. Catholics and Lutherans, separated from each other on almost every point of doctrine, are united in opposing Masonry. This common ground for unity is their opposition to the Masonic basic tenets of freedom—freedom of thought, discussion, and association. The clergy of the Organized Religion in the United States are a divided group with varied ideas as to the benefits of Freemasonry. Men on the outside have usually been suspicious of what goes on inside (of any structure). The clergy of today may not realize there once was an age when the Masonic Lodge was probably the only place of free learning in the world. While monasteries were places of learning they were under very strict control of the ecclesiastic. Lodges, while clearly guarded, contained an atmosphere of free exchange of thought and knowledge. They were allowed, in the secrecy of their lodges, to think, study, and speak freely even when they disagreed with the official theory and dictum. A great deal of theological objections to Freemasonry is a hangover from that era when the Church thought Freemasonry a competition to religion, and a threat to the solid structure of control of thought and education which was held by the church at that time. Most of these objections from a previous era are traditional arguments. It is a fact that members of the clergy who are members of the Craft see no wrong in Freemasonry. Many ministers are members of the Craft and express views favorable to the working position between Church and Craft. Other ministers show dislike of the Craft for taking time away from the Church for Masonic labors and dedications, lack of financial support for the Church, the idea of substituting the lodge as a church, usurping religious ceremonies from the church for the burial of the dead, and other objections in different locations in the United States. Many of these objections are legitimate (in my opinion) and we, as Masons, could rectify most of them individually. Some misunderstandings could be eased by the lodges without jeopardy to its teachings such as promotional and educational projects on a local basis, more open and public installations, more charity projects within a local community, etc. Our lodge is still a growing institution, subject to change and growth for the betterment of mankind. Anything we can do for tolerance toward other segments of our society we should do, so long as we maintain the principles of Freemasonry. Most of this will naturally be up to the individual to change. Why did we join the Masonic Fraternity? Because we desired to emulate certain individuals whom we admired greatly. We wanted to associate with them. We wanted that which made them acceptable in their environment. We wanted to belong to their lodges and clubs in order to be like them. Once in the lodge we soon saw what made them different. Thus, man owes his beginning of spiritual growth to his lodge. Masonry has started many a man on his journey toward light who would never otherwise have seen nor experienced it. We must realize our power as individuals. As Masons, we must make our presence felt and lend our strength to those things which need to be done. We should let non-Masons know of our close ties with our churches; of our work over the years to perpetuate our government; to see the work done to preserve our churches' freedom from domination by the government; and our work to keep the church and government unentangled so each could exist in a great country based on Masonic heritage. This should unite the efforts of the Craft and the clergy. This is our aim in sponsoring our youth organizations. We aim to make ourselves and our children better Christians and citizens because of our Craft. Men from all walks of life meet together in their adherence to a moral Masonic code whose principles emphasize benevolence. We have to be better for these experiences. As individuals we must ease the tensions without our churches. Of course, the clergy is resentful when they see the powerful force of the Masons with so little of their time and effort to ease their burdens. In the last few years we Masons like to think that the ostracism of the Catholic Church has been lifted somewhat. In certain parts of the country the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic lodge for men, and Freemasonry have endeavored to promote welfare projects jointly in their communities. They have addressed each others' conventions and shown some relaxation of the degrees of the Official Position of the Catholic Church. We can continue to further this cause.

51 One other interchange between Organized Religion and Freemasonry is the Masonic Funeral Ceremony. This ceremony has always been a big point of contact between Masonry and the public at large. We must remember that first impressions are lasting ones and we must ever guard our public impressions. Some clergy resent being pushed aside for these rites. Unfavorable work is cited. Whatever we do, we must insist upon our members participating in these ceremonies doing precise and exacting ritualistic work. Freemasonry is a way of life and no: a mere belief. It is a powerful force. We, the Royal Arch Masons, are the holders of the Word. The Word is ours. In its interpretation lies our individual: Masonic power. Let us use this power to fulfill our destiny. Our country needs this assurance more than it ever has 17 all our history.

ORDER OF HIGH PRIESTHOOD Fraternally submitted J. Stanley Ray Grand Historian

As is the custom with most Grand Chapters, the Most Excellent Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of Washington confers the "Order of High Priesthood at its Annual Convocations. This honorarium is conferred only upon the High Priests and the Past High Priests of their constituent chapters in recognition of their service to our great Capitular Rite.

The origin of this Order is somewhat a mystery, coming to light during the latter part of the 18th Century, a period of time in which it seems that almost every Freemason of any prominence whatsoever became an author of some Masonic Degree. The earliest record we have of this degree is that at the time of his election as "Royal Arch Master of the Royal Arch Lodge" on May 7, 1789, William McKean, according to the custom of St. Andrews Chapter (Massachusetts), was anointed "after the order of Melchizedek" for the purpose of qualifying him to preside. The "Order of Melchizedek" or "Royal Priest" was the sixth degree of 'The Order of the Brothers of Asia" or "Initiated Brothers of Asia" (now extinct). a Masonic Rite consisting of nine Philosophical degrees which were intended to give what was supposed to be a true explanation of all Masonic Symbolism. It was formed in Berlin, Prussia, in 1780. Shortly afterwards the influence of this degree was indicated in Ireland, for certificates they issued in the early 1800's bore the title: "Sacred Band Royal Arch Templars Priests after the Order of Melchizedek." At the formation of what shortly later became the General Grand Chapter it is believed the "Order of Melchizedek," as practiced by some Royal Arch Chapters in Massachusetts, was brought to the attention of the delegates present. At this time, little was known of this practice for even Thomas Smith Webb made no mention of it in his famous first Masonic Monitor which was published the same year (1797). At the Convocation of the Grand Chapter in Providence, Rhode Island, on January 8, 1799, a committee composed of Benjamin Hurd, Jr., James Harrison, and Thomas Smith Webb was appointed to revise the constitution and report any alterations and amendments necessary. In their report (which was adopted) they made the following statement regarding the installation of officers: "All the Companions, except the High Priest and Past High Priests, are requested to withdraw while the new High Priest is solemnly bound to the performance of his duties; and after the performance of other necessary ceremonies, not proper to be written, they are permitted to return." It is supposed that the "Other Necessary Ceremonies" refers to the ritual of the "Order of High Priesthood," which Thomas Smith Webb mentions in the second edition of his Masonic Monitor (printed in 1802) under the heading of "Observation of the Order of High Priesthood." Some authorities give Webb the credit for the writing of this new ritual, but like the "Most Excellent Master" degree which he is also supposed to have written, there is much doubt. It is known that the "Order of High Priesthood" descended from the "Order of Melchizedek," and most probably through the "Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priests," an Order consisting of some 33 degrees and which was part of the closeness enjoyed between the Royal Arch and the Order of the Temple in Ireland at that time. Since that Illustrious Order is still practiced today, it is certain that there is little similarity between it and our present Order of High Priesthood, which all authorities agree was written in the United States. It is interesting to note that about the same time there existed a secret organization (for both men and women) known as the "Fifth Order of Melchizedek and Egyptian Sphinx," also known as "The Solar Spiritual Order of the Silver Head and Golden Star." This Order was last heard of in Boston in 1894. 52 There was also a degree instituted in New York City in 1824 for mainly social purposes called "Aaron's Band." Its ceremonies were so similar to the Order of High Priesthood that the Grand Chapter of New York caused it to be dispersed in the following year. Although the General Grand Chapter approved the Ritual of "The Order of High Priesthood" in 1799, it was not until 1811 that it was actually available in printed form, with the Emblem being adopted at the Triennial of 1856. Agreement as to whether the Order should be conferred before the High Priest is installed into office or afterwards was a subject at many Triennials, but it was never resolved. The General Grand Chapter has never assumed actual control over the Order. In the Grand Jurisdictions where "The Order of High Priesthood" was conferred prior to the installation of their High Priests, the anointment was done in private by a minimum of three Past High Priests of the local chapter. In one Grand Jurisdiction, it was not necessary to be a High Priest Elect, the Order being conferred on certain Compan- ions who were potential High Priests. The majority of the Grand Jurisdictions confer the Order in the same manner which we do, at their Annual Convocations of the Grand Chapters in Ample Form. The meetings, called conventions, require nine members, including the Principal Officer, bearing the title of "Most Excellent President" to confer the Order. "The Order of High Priesthood" was soon adopted in Ireland, but it was not until 1884, when the Grand College of Allied Masonic Degrees was established in London, and perhaps as late as 1902, when many degrees, including those of the "Holy Royal Arch Knight Templar Priest" came under their control that the "Order of Grand High Priest," as they term it, was first practiced in England. Until 1940, only their Past Principal "Z" ("Zedekiah") was admitted. Since that time, all Royal Arch Masons are eligible, the ceremony being performed not more than once a year in a subordinate council. Records confirm that "The Order of High Priesthood" was practiced in Canada as early as 1818, but it became dormant. A council was reinstituted in 1926 with other provinces soon following. Melchizedek (Melchizedek), King of Salem and a "Priest of the Most High God," was an interesting, yet obscure figure in Biblical History. Some theologians supposed him to be Shem, the son of Noah. Although he is mentioned several places in the Bible, our present-day ritual is taken from Genesis XIV. Many of our more critical-minded Companions do not agree with the idea of conferring a degree upon High Priests, who are supposedly representatives of the Aaronic line of priesthood, using a degree which deals with Melchizedek, but their objection gained little following. The ritual today remains very similar to what it was some 175 years ago.

FROM SAMSON TO SOLOMON by Howard W. Lawrence Grand Historian

Aegean civilization is that culture that grew up in ancient times on the islands and shores of the Aegean Sea. It was the first great European civilization. Aegean civilization began on Crete, the largest of the Aegean islands. It spread gradually over the islands to the mainland of Greece. By 1600 B.C., Aegean civilization had affected the whole eastern Mediterranean area. Crete is that point in the Aegean Sea where Europe, Asia, and Africa come closest together. Because of its location, Crete had a chance to use the knowledge of three continents. The Aegean civilization was based upon practical learning. The more the people learned, the farther their ships could venture. And the farther their ships went, the more new things the people learned. The people of Crete began to use copper and bronze about 3500 B.C. While most of Europe was still in a primitive stage, the ordinary Cretan was living in a house of sundried brick with a stone foundation and a stone or cement floor. Every house had windows. The large buildings were of limestone or marble-like gypsum. The palaces were piped for water. The engineers who planned the plumbing understood many principles of modern science. The Philistines were a tribe or group of the great Aegean peoples. They settled in the coastal plain of Palestine early in the 1100's B.C. They remained there for more than a thousand years and gave their name to the land. Aegean civilization was broken up by Greek tribes when they migrated into Greece. The Aegeans who escaped had to look for new homes. One group went through Asia Minor and down the eastern Mediterranean coast, but was met and stopped by the Pharaoh Rameses by naval and military action. But they were not thrown back. Instead, they settled in the rich plains of Palestine south of Joppa, and later spread into the hills. Hebrew tribesmen had also come into Palestine at this time, but from the other side. They were trying to take the same land. A hard struggle took place between the Hebrews and Philistines. Among the more important men and leaders in 53 this fighting were the Hebrew men—Samson, Samuel, Saul, and David; and David was the father of Solomon, builder of the temple. Samson was a very popular hero of the ancient Hebrews. He was especially famous for his remarkable strength. The story of Samson is told in the Old Testament Book of Judges. According to the Bible, an angel commanded Samson's mother to raise him as a Nazarite, or consecrated one. This meant that he must never drink wine, eat impure food, or cut his hair. When Samson grew up, he fell in love with a Philistine woman. She was unfaithful to him and Samson took revenge by setting fire to the fields and vineyards of her people. The Philistines captured Samson but he broke his bonds and killed a thousand of his enemies with the jawbone of an ass. Later, Samson visited a woman in the Philistine city of Gaza. The townspeople tried to capture him by locking the gates of the city, but Samson tore out the gates and posts and carried them to a hilltop 40 miles away. Samson's downfall came when he fell in love with another Philistine woman, Delilah. She coaxed from him the secret that his great strength lay in his uncut hair. Delilah was bribed by the Philistines to cut off his hair while he slept. Then Samson was easily captured because he had only the strength of an ordinary man. The Philistines put out his eyes and imprisoned him in their temple. During the great festival of the god, Dagon, great numbers of Philistines came to gloat over Samson's defeat. He was led from his cell so that all could see and mock him. But Samson's hair had grown long during his period of captivity and his strength had come back to him. He pulled down two great pillars which supported the roof of the temple. The building collapsed and the avalanche of stone killed the giant Hebrew and three thousand Philistines. Samuel was a Hebrew leader during the middle 1000's B.C. He was both a religious man and a political figure, acting as a priest, a prophet, judge, and ruler. The story of Samuel's life is told in the First Book of Samuel in the Old Testament. According to the Bible, Samuel was born into a peasant family in the south-central highlands of Israel. At an early age his mother, Hannah, took him to the shrine at Shiloh, where he was dedicated to the service of the Lord. He became not only a priest but a highly respected prophet as well. Some Biblical scholars believe that he organized and led the order of prophets which continued to be very important for hundreds of years after him. At this time the Hebrew tribes were ruled by judges. Samson was most instrumental in uniting all the Israelites under a monarchy. He gave his blessing to Saul who became first king of Israel. Samuel also chose David to succeed Saul. But he died before David became king. Samuel was indeed a leader in the struggle of the Israelites against the Philistines. Saul was the first king of Israel. He was a peasant boy of the tribe of Benjamin. He reigned shortly before 1000 B.C. The story of Saul's life is told in the Old Testament book of First Samuel. The Israelites wanted a king to unite and lead them in battle against their enemies. Samuel, the aged judge, chose Saul and anointed him King. Saul immediately organized men for the defense of a besieged city in Gilead which was saved. Saul fought successfully and posted many important victories over the Philistines. He helped unite the tribes during his reign. He was a strong and gallant leader and apparently ruled all the territory from southern Judah to the plain of Jezreel. Later Saul's health broke and hebecame both moody and often violent in fits of anger. He grew both to hate and envy the popular young warrior David, and even tried unsuccessfully to kill David. Finally, in a great battle against the Philistines on Mount Bilboa, Saul was defeated and the Philistines gained all Palestine west of the Jordan. During this encounter, three of Saul's sons were killed, including Jonathan, the very close friend of David, and Saul took his own life by falling on his sword. We find David's poem of lamentation upon the deaths of Saul and Jonathan a very touching one. David, about 1000 B.C., was the second king of Israel. He founded the famous line of kings that reigned for more than four hundred years, until Jerusalem was destroyed in the year 586 B.C. Many notable stories are told about David. While yet a youth he killed the huge Philistine warrior, Goliath, with a stone out of his slingshot. The story of David's friendship with Jonathan, who was Saul's oldest son, is one of the world's great tales of friendship. David was a great poet, and several of the psalms in the Bible are attributed to him. He was the son of Jesse, a peasant of the region of Bethlehem in Judah. As a boy, he helped to herd the sheep of his father. It is not clear how he entered into public life but he did become a successful leader under King Saul in the struggle against the Philistines. David was forced to flee from the courts of King Saul after Saul apparently had a nervous breakdown. He became the leader of a band of outlaws in the wild country where the plateau of Judah breaks off to the lowlands. After Saul was wounded in the battle of Bilboa, and then killed himself, David went up to the little town of Hebron. There he was accepted as king of the land of Judah and ruled there for some years. The king who had followed Saul as ruler of the Northern Kingdom was killed and the leaders of that land offered David the throne. From that time, David was the popular and undisputed monarch of all Israel. David found the Israelites completely in the power of the Philistines, who held all Palestine west of the Jordan. He pretended to be obedient to them because he was not as yet strong enough to attack them. After he accepted the throne of all Israel, the Philistines tried to crush him. The struggle lasted a long time, but in the end David broke the Philistine's powers, and the Philistines never again were a serious menace. His victories over the Philistines were the first great triumph of his career.

54 The capture of Jerusalem, a stronghold of the Canaanites, was the second great success of King David. His victory here was due to two things. In the first place the people defending the city were overconfident and careless. But more than that, David sent a party of troops into the city through a tunnel in which the defenders secured their water supply. They cut down the guards and opened the gates to David's main force. The position of Jerusalem was important. David made it his capital and thus began for the city the cause of events that has made it so well known today. David was one of the greatest monarchs of his time and became the most important ruler on all the eastern coast of the Mediterranean—but he was not prepared for the responsibilities of an emperor, and his background as a peasant boy and an outlaw leader could not help him much; his was not an efficient organization of state. Great changes in the life of Israel had been set in motion by David. Politics became centered in Jerusalem and Israel slowly ceased to be exclusively agricultural. Economic changes took place. The copper and iron mines of Edom were worked and rich foreign trade developed. Cultural life increased. Literature made great progress. Impressive architecture was employed and religious worship went far beyond that of the simple country shrine of earlier days. David had trained himself in hardship and stern self-control. However, after Jerusalem was captured, disturbing events took place. David took many more wives and remained at home with them while Joab and the army was out on many a hard-fought field. His home life fell very low and the episode with Bathsheba was a true symbol of what was happening to the king. He had conquered Jerusalem and now Jerusalem was conquering him. David was going to pieces morally. He was popular and well meaning, but he brought the wickedness of the harem, the plots and betrayals, the corrupt home life, the political ambition, and the lust for power that cursed the Hebrew kingdom to its end. He captured Jerusalem without being morally strong enough of the task. Toward the end of David's reign—and it was a stormy reign—Absalom (he was the third son of David) revolted and brought about trouble between the people of North Israel and those of the South; the two regions actually separating a few years later. Solomon was the third king of Israel, but he was the first dynastic ruler. Saul and David, like the judges, were chosen because God had given them a special measure of power; they were charismatic rulers (an extraordinary power given a Christian by the Holy Spirit for the good of the church). Although Solomon took office without God's charisma, he received it during his vision at Gibeon, when the Lord offered him his choice of gifts. Realizing the enormity of his task, Solomon chose the gift of an "understanding heart." Surpassing all his contemporaries, Solomon became the great patron of Israel's Wisdom Literature. No other period of the monarchy provided the combination of international contacts, wealth, and relief from war necessary for literary productivity. Solomon took the lead in this movement, collecting and composing thousands of proverbs and songs. Two extensive collections in Proverbs are credited to him and the entire collection bears his name as the chief contributor. After he replaced the traditional tribal boundaries by the 12 administrative districts, Solomon began recruiting laborers from among the Israelites, a measure unpalatable to a people who relished freedom. Resentment was also engendered, in all probability, by Solomon's pledging of 20 Galilean cities to Hiram in return for financial aid. Solomon had accomplished monumental tasks, including the building of the temple, but at an exorbitant price: the good will and loyalty of his people. Trading was Solomon's forte. Knowing full well the significance of Israel's strategic control of the land-bridge between Egypt and Asia, he set out to exploit his position by controlling the major north-south caravan routes. His ties with Hiram of Tyre placed at his disposal fleets which enabled him to monopolize sea lanes as well. Solomon made the most of his alliance with Hiram. The Phoenicians, just entering their colonial heyday, supplied the architectural skill and many of the materials, especially the fine Lebanese woods, for Solomon's Temple and palaces. They designed and manned his ships; they provided a market for the Palestinian crops and on at least one occasion Hiram came to Solomon's aid with a substantial loan. Solomon apparently conducted no major military campaigns. His task was to maintain Israel's extensive boundaries. The two main pillars of Solomon's foreign policy were friendly alliances, sometimes sealed by marriage, and the maintenance of a formidable army. The backbone of Solomon's military defense was a ring of cities strategically located near the borders of Israel and manned by companies of charioteers. His militia included 4,000 stalls for horses, 1,400 chariots, and 12,000 horsemen. Solomon's reign is to be dated 969-922 B.C., while the reign of Hiram of Tyre should be placed at 969-936 B.C. Solomon was perhaps 20 years of age at his ascension. The appointment of a successor in the Eastern monarchies depended on the king's choice, which in Israel needed to be ratified by the people. The times were singularly favorable to Solomon at the time of his ascension to the throne. The government of Egypt was in the hands of the last weak rulers of the Tanite Dynasty and they were incapable of any large enterprises.

55 Solomon sought to centralize authority in the crown by weakening tribal ties and increasing his control of the hier- archy. For purposes of administration, the tribal divisions were replaced by 12 prefectures cutting across tribal boundaries, and there was a fundamental conflict between the tribal separation of early Israel and the centralizing tendencies of the crown. Prefectures were in charge of prefects whose sole loyalty was to the crown. It was the duty to care for the provisioning of the royal household, each being responsible for one month. This was indeed no light burden—each district had to annually supply 5,000 bushels of flour, 10,000 bushels of meal, 900 oxen, and 3,000 sheep. For many of the districts, this was a crushing burden. There was also conscription for the army and conscription for labor. Thirty thousand males were pressed into labor gangs and these were taken one month in every three to hew lumber in Lebanon. This is equal to 4 percent of the population—in Britain it would mean 2 million people working four months each year on government building projects. In addition, women were conscripted for palace service. Surely this must have involved serious dislocation of life's normal activities. Solomon evidently began his reign with high ideals; his prayer at the Temple is full of true piety and he had a real delight in religious observance. His fall is connected with his polygamy and foreign wives. He not only allowed them their own worship, a necessary concession, but shared in it. Self-indulgence and the price of wealth evidently played their part in his deterioration. Of his actual end, nothing is known; he was an old man at 60 years, but still made his authority felt. Solomon's marrying foreign wives had proven expedient politically, but not spiritually. Historians do not chide Solomon for sensuality, but for disobedience to Israel's monotheistic ideal. Foreign marriages brought foreign religions and Solomon compromised the convictions which he had expressed in his dedicatory prayer for the Temple by engaging in syncretistic worship (the combination of different forms of belief or practice) to placate his wives. This violent breach of Israel's covenant could not go unpunished. Though judgment was stayed during Solomon's lifetime, the seeds of dissatisfaction sown among the people by his harsh policies of taxation and corvee were to bear bitter fruit during the reign of his son and successor, Rehoboam. As a ruler, Solomon failed. He knew how to handle other countries, but did not know how to treat his own people. His court was magnificent, but it was expensive. Even larger and finer than the Temple was Solomon's own palace and the gorgeous palace he built for his queen, a former Egyptian princess. By no means did Solomon's personal wealth pay all the expenses of the court. It had to be supported by the little people of the kingdom; the farmers and shepherds and the craftsmen. When Solomon died and his son Rehoboam came to the throne, the new king tried to rule the people as sternly as his father did. It was then the angry people rose up. The northern tribes broke away from Israel, the kingdom was split up into separate states, and never again was Israel united under a single rule. The division of the kingdom ended Israel's political leadership in the ancient world. In time the people became known for their literary and religious expression, but Solomon's reign cost his people their place in world affairs.

RECAP OF ROYAL ARCH HISTORY by Roy A. W. Krows Grand Historian 1976

To the Most Excellent Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of Washington: From the Royal Arch Prologue we learn that, "Pure Ancient Masonry consists of three degrees and no more, namely; those of Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft, and Master Masons, including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch." But why is it, then, that the Holy Royal Arch is not in all cases a part of ancient craft masonry? To understand why, let us briefly review some of our early Masonic History. How did Operative Masonry evolve into Speculative Masonry and thence into Royal Arch Masonry? Early historians sometimes disagree; but the differences could have been due to the sources from which their writings were derived. The later historians were able to consolidate and evaluate the findings of the early historians and thereby present a more accurate record of events. It is due to the lack of specific dates within the early records that caused the later historians to generalize, from the data available, and agree on the approximate dates as given in the Royal Arch Ritual. Early operative masonry formed guilds, societies, or companies, as they were known at various times and places. They designed and constructed the edifices of their day. Bridges, castles, abbeys, cathedrals, and other structures were each built by operative masons to the requirements of kings, noblemen, Church clergy, or for whomever the structure was required. The work was performed under contract or, to use the terminology common in those days, a commission. The construction of the larger structures extended over a span of many years, an example being the Milan Cathedral in Italy which was begun in 1385 and was finished about 1800, a total of 415 years.

56 The operative masons were the only people who knew how to design and build with stone. As Master Masons they guaranteed their work and, therefore, they maintained their own quality control in materials and workmanship. Also, as further control within the Craft, they maintained Craft secrets which were restricted to specific stages of Masonic training. Masonry was taught by degrees only. The apprentices and brothers "Fellow-in-craft" each served seven years in training. They and others seeking advancement were called "intenders" when they applied for examination. A committee was appointed to examine them and their "assays," as the specimens of their skill were called. Advancement might be to such jobs as Master Freestone Masons, Laying Masons, and Master Masons, to name a few. The bubonic plague of 1348 had a marked effect on the Masonic guilds. It reduced the English population by one-half. Construction was needed and the Masonic guilds were organized. They controlled the prices for their labors and, therefore, were considered an unruly guild. Perhaps this contributed to the introduction of the Statutes of Laborers. By 1350, because of the difficult times, Parliament had fixed the price for labor, and the labor class was once more tied to the soil.1 Speculative masonry first began during the mid-14th century. Because of the need for construction, the kings and noblemen were lenient in their enforcement of the requirements of the Statutes of Laborers on the Masonic guilds. In a reciprocating effort to ease the requirements of the Statutes of Laborers, the Masonic builds took within their Craft, kings and noblemen, as "gentlemen" masons. These special gentlemen masons were even made Masters of the Craft. Later others were admitted as gentlemen masons. This is verified by the guild books listing the members with their marks and the names of their craft or profession. There was no degree work as we know it. Operative requirements were set aside and the gentlemen masons were sworn to secrecy and took the same obligations of operative masons. The next important Statute of Laborers, that of 1425, and others like it which followed, had a marked affect on masonry. Because of these statutes, masonry was forced from an operative to a speculative organization. The Masonic society began meeting as clubs in inns and ale houses. Determination of a specific date when speculative masonry obtained dominance over operative masonry is difficult to establish. The transition was gradual. Lacking specific dates, Masonic writers have established the year 1424 (1425) as the time when speculative masonry became dominant.2 Thus, we see how early dates in Masonic history were established. There are sufficient data to support the gradual transition from operative masonry to speculative masonry and that they existed side by side from 1600 through to the establishment of the Grand lodges. Both operative and gentlemen (speculative) masons referred to each others as brothers. During the transition, a laxness within the society developed in the control of the masons and Masonic lodges. There were instances when some masons, possessing the word, initiated persons into masonry without attending lodge. Masons, thus made, were, upon examination, admitted into lodges.3 To better understand the circumstances and conditions existing during this period of transition, I quote in part for Ars Quatuor Coronatorum. "It must be remembered that the Craft Warrant," (which) was issued by an established lodge authorizing the establishment of a new and subordinate lodge "was believed to give the Lodge the right to confer any supposed Degree of Freemasonry, provided only that the Lodge possessed a Brother capable of conferring the Degree. This belief was held by every Lodge that belonged to the Grand Lodge of Ireland, or to the Grand Lodge of the Ancients, or to any Grand Lodge working in unison with them; that is to say, by all English-speaking freemasons at home and abroad, excepting those that paid allegiance to the Grand Lodge of the Moderns. Thus, in the Lodge room were conferred, and by the Lodge officers were certified, besides the Craft degrees, not only the Royal Arch Degrees, but the Degrees of High Knight Templar. In the case of the former Degrees, there are solid grounds for believing the Holy Royal Arch to have once formed a part of the Craft work; in the case of the latter Degrees, there are no grounds for assuming it ever to have had any connection with the Craft or its work. In neither case, were the transactions recorded in the Lodge books except by accident or error; nor were systematic records of any kind kept for most part. Hence the peculiar value of certificates, for they really form our best means of historical information as to the growth and popularity of these orders.4 Visitations between lodges became difficult because of the numerous degrees and many differences in the esoteric work within the various lodges. Therefore, some of the old brethren who recognized the need for some kind of central control and standardization within speculative masonry, set out to establish such an organization. Brother Hughan, a historian of 18th century freemasonry, states, "Grand Lodges are an institution of the 18th century, and an outgrowth of operative lodges,.... The first of its kind was constituted as the 'Grand Lodge of England' by members of four or more old lodges in London ('and some old brothers'), 'on St. John Baptist Day, in the third year of King George the 1st., A.D. 1717, (when) Mr. Antony Soyer, gentleman (was installed) Grand Master of Masons.5 A total of five Grand lodges were formed or recognized during the 18th century. In brief title, one can refer to them as, the York, the Regular or Modern, the Ancients or Atholl, the Antiquity and the Scottish Grand lodges.

57 The Ancients and the Moderns were referred to by two names, as above stated, in different times. The so-called Grand Lodge of York, which claimed to have started in A.D. 926, appears to be only an old lodge assuming the title Grand Lodge of York, perhaps because of its age. There are no records of this York Lodge ever issuing warrants for forming other lodges under its jurisdiction or control as the alter Grand lodges did. The organizing of the Grand Lodge of England, 1717, did not immediately alleviate the troubles of the early 18th century. In an effort to establish control and standardization, the Grand Lodge rules, by Article 13, that Master Masons could be made only in Grand Lodge. To this the lodges objected, claiming that their warrants authorized them the right to make their own Masters. The Grand Lodge modified its Article 13 on November 27, 1725 to provide that, "… the master of each Lodge, with consent of his Warrants, and the majority of the brethren being Masters, may make Masters at their discretion." There is no official record of the Third degree prior to this date," according to Brother Hughan, "though it is mentioned in the Laws of 1723.6 It was in the early 18th century, during the period of variances in the degree work and the starting of the Grand Lodge of England, that the Third Degree, as we know it, was introduced into the esoteric work of the lodges. The Grand Lodge of England, 1717, experienced new difficulties when, in 1751, some of the lodges in London broke away and started a grand lodge of their own. They were known as the Grand Lodge of England according to the Old Constitution, 1751, by official title, but more widely known as the Ancients. Strife soon developed between the two grand lodges. The cause of the cleaving and forming of another grand lodge can be better understood if we briefly consider the Masonic history of the character, Brother Laurence Dermott, for a character he was. Brother Hughan relates, "Dermott, according to the Registers and his own account ('Ahiman Reson' 1778, p. 29, 'Antholl Lodges,' p. 4) was initiated in Ireland A.D. 1740, installed as Master of No. 26, Dublin, in 1746, and in the same year became a Royal Arch Mason. On coming to England, he joined a lodge in 1748 under the regular Grand Lodge, but soon afterwards became a member of 'Atholl' Lodges 9 and 10.7 This is understandable because these lodges were composed of Irish masons who were living in and around London. Brother Dermott had a far-reaching affect on masonry, according to Brother Gould, who wrote, "Of Laurence Dermott, the first Grand Secretary of the Seceders," (a term use at first for the Ancients and was one which Dermott quickly replaced with his own nomenclatures, "Ancients" for his Grand Lodge and "Moderns" for the original), "it may be said, without erring in the side of panegyric, that he was the most remarkable Mason that ever existed. As a polemic observed, Dermott was a judicious writer! (Mackey, Encyclopedia of Freemasonry, s.v.), 'He was sarcastic, bitter, uncompromising, and not altogether sincere or veracious. But in intellectual attainments he was inferior to none of his adversaries, and in a philosophical appreciation of the character of the Masonic Institutions, he was in advance of the spirit of his age. Yet although a very unscrupulous writer, he was a matchless administrator, "As Grand Secretary, and after as deputy Grand Master, he was simply the life and soul of the body with which he was so closely associated. He was also its historian, and to the influence of his writings, must be attributed, in a great measure the marvelous success of the Schism.8 Dermott proceeded to write his own rules and regulations for the Ancient Grand Lodge. His book of Constitutions, which he named the "Ahiman Rezon," was published in 1756. In this publication, true to his character, he copied from the publications of the Modern Grand Lodge without acknowledging his source. He even referred to the Moderns as "our Sisters" in his 1778 edition, though in a later publication he deleted this remark.9 Regardless of the strife between the two Grand Lodges, there were a number of members of the Ancients and also the Moderns who joined lodges working in the other Grand Lodge; as a dual membership. This was looked upon with disfavor by both Grand Lodges. The Modern Grand Lodge changed their mode of recognition in an effort to keep out the Ancients. Brother Dermott quickly used this change as an argument that the Ancients were the true, unchanging, main stock of Masonry. He never missed an opportunity to further his Grand Lodge. It was the Ancients who seemed to be the Grand Lodge which furthered Royal Arch Masonry at the start. The limitation of membership to only Past Masters, thereby excluding some prominent masons, gave the Royal Arch Degree an increased importance among the members of the Craft. The Royal Arch Chapters held separate meetings from the lodge meetings and, it is logical to assume, had brethren from several lodges as members of the Royal Arch Chapter. A situation developed in 1771 which established early regulations relative to the Royal Arch Degree which was considered to be the most sacred part of masonry. The Duke of Atholl, being the Grant Master of Masons and holding Grand Lodge on September 4, 1771, was proclaimed to be the "Grand Master in every respect." This being intended to include all of Freemasonry including the Royal Arch. Apparently he had been restrained from attending the Royal Arch Chapters in contradiction to his belief that he had authority over them, as well as authority over the brethren of the lodges. In consideration of this situation, one should remember that Royalty were often installed as Grand Lodge Officers without first holding the office of Master of a Lodge.

58 Meetings of Masters and Past Masters of Warranted Lodges were held in October and November to resolve the situation. Brother Dermott strongly denounced the practice of passing some brethren through the Chair, without being installed and presiding as Master of one's Lodge, in order to obtain the sacred mysteries of the Royal Arch. In response. the brethren told him there were many deserving brethren within the lodges who. because of their profession (the sea for example) could not regularly attain that part of Masonry though they be very qualified and deserving members. In the end, it was resolved that only those who were elected, installed, and presided over their lodges should be made Royal Arch Masons. In the case of the brethren who had been made Royal Arch Masons illegally, it was decided to defer action relative to their status until the next Grand Chapter. Relative to the foregoing situation and the action taken, Brother Gould added this footnote. "This is the first mention of 'Grand Chapter' in these records, and there are no Royal Arch Minutes of earlier date that 1782. The degree itself, however, is referred to under the year 1752. Cf. ante, p. 191."1° There were attempts to establish the starting date for Royal Arch Masonry. Because of the lack of minutes and other records, this was difficult, if not impossible, to accomplish. Wrote Brother Hughan, "The Supreme Grand Chapter of Scotland sought to fix the dates of origin of the Chapters on their Rosters, and in 1818, a special Committee reported … the first on the list" (the oldest) "being Starling Rock R.A. Chapter from the 30th of July, 1743." Brother Hughan continues in comment, "As the Chapter at Starling is still on the Roll, it is the oldest in the World, if this date can be established..."11 "The oldest minutes of Royal Arch Masonry preserved," quotes Brother Hughan, "are the year 1753 in the U.S.A., and 1758 in England; but the degree is mentioned in the 'Atholl' Records of March 4th, 1752, and it is particularly alluded to in a printed work of 1744, and referred to in Ireland, still earlier."12 Thus, we see that Royal Arch Chapters held meetings separate from the Lodge meetings during the early years of the Grand Lodge of England (1717).

Due to the variances within the Craft, the brethren at large, regardless to which Grand Lodge their Lodge was affiliated, were calling for unity and standardization in the esoteric work. Because of the differences in the work and modes of recognition, resulting from all the various sources which sponsored the different lodges in the American Colonies, the American lodges were desirous of unification. In 1794 the masons of Lower Canada stated an earnest desire for Masonic Union. Brother Gould's comments relative to some of the early actions towards Masonic unity are " … a proposal to that effect was actually made in the Grand Lodge under the Duke of Atholl in 1797. The prominent position occupied by the Prince of Wales in the older Society doubtless encouraged this feeling which must have received a still further impetus from the popularity of his locum tenens, the Earl of Moira—a nobleman, in whom, as proved by later events, all parties repose the fullest confidence...." (This attempt failed.) " The next attempt, to heal the schism, came from the other side, and was equally unsuccessful, though the negotiations which then proceeded and lasted for a year or two made it quite clear that the rank and file of the Craft were bent on a thorough reconciliation, which the misdirected efforts of the Masonic authorities had only retarded for a time."13 There followed several years when numerous committees were appointed by the Ancient and the Modern Grand Lodges in an endeavor to affect a union. Some committees were composed of members from one grand lodge or the other and they worked for their specific interests. Other committees were composed of members from both grand lodges, and there were differences between committee members. Some members claimed to be for the union but were really against it, for fear of losing the powers they possessed in their grand lodge. Finally, in 1813, productive progress towards a union was made. The events leading to the union, as Brother Gould relates them, are "The Duke of Sussex, Grand Master of one Fraternity, and the Duke of Kent, Grand Master of the other, were installed and invested on May 13 and December 1, 1813, respectively. On the former occasions the Duke of Kent acted as Deputy Grand Master, and on the latter, the Duke of Sussex was made an Ancient Mason (in a room adjoining) in order to take part in the proceedings. "The Articles of Union were signed and sealed on November 25, 1813, by the Duke of Sussex, W. R. Write, Provincial Grand Master in the Ionian Isles; Arthur Tegart and James Deans, Past Grand Wardens—on the one part; and by the Duke of Kent; Thomas Harper, Deputy Grand Master; James Perry and James Agar, Past Deputy Grand Masters—on the other part."14 The Articles of Union numbered XI in all; but Article II, which is quoted in our Royal Arch Prologue, has not been completely quoted therein. There is another sentence in Article II which states, "But this Article is not intended to prevent any Lodge or Chapter from holding a Meeting in any of the said Orders."15

59 Thus, we see that any and all Degrees and Orders of Chivalry, which were in existence in 1813, were considered significantly important by the respective lodges, chapters and orders, that each insisted that they be recognized and included as part of the United Grand Lodge of England but with freedom to retain their independent characteristics and liberties.

Therefore, Companions, we have within the requirements of that important last sentence of Article II, the answer to our initial question. Because of the limitation stated in the last sentence, the United Grand Lodge of England could not require the Royal Arch Chapters, which were in existence at its formation, to revert back to the esoteric work of the lodges nor could it require the lodges, then existing, to divorce the Royal Arch work from the Lodge work. Thus, we have today, the current differences in the esoteric work of the lodges and Royal Arch Chapters as they have evolved from the early 17th century.

REFERENCES: 1. Robert Freke Gould, The History of Freemasonry, (John C. Yorston (Sc Co., New York, Cincinnati, and Chicago, 1885), Vol. I. 328-9; hereafter cited as History. 2. History, Vol. I, 352. 3. History, Vol. III, 62. 4. AQC, Vol. XVI (1903), 74. 5. William James Huguan, Origin of the English Rite of Freemasonry, 3rd ed. (Johnson, W ykes & Paine, Ltd., Marble St., 1925), p. 18; hereafter cited as Origin. 6. Origin, p. 38. 7. Origin, p. 121. 8. History, Vol. III, p. 187. 9. Origin, p. 123.10. History, Vol. III, p. 197. 11. Origin, p. 79. 12. Origin, p. 74. 13. History, Vol. HI, p. 248. 14. History, Vol. III, p. 253. 15. Everett Turnball and Ray V. Denslow, History of Royal Arch Masonry, Vol. I, 31 Central Publishing Co., Little Rock, Arkansas.

60 THE MOST SUBLIME DEGREE By Sidney Kase Grand Orator, 1980

Freemasonry has been defined as a system of morality veiled in allegory and illustrated by symbols.

This is effected by the several degrees, each succeeding degree adding to and building upon the lessons of the previous degrees. (This is alluded to at the altar when the conferring officers ask the Senior Deacon, "I will take you where I left you, will you be off or from?") The second degree emphasizes that Freemasonry is a progressive science and taught by degrees only; i.e., in orderly progression. In the Entered Apprentice degree, the theme is learning, obtaining knowledge. The Fellowcraft degree stresses additional learning and the application of that knowledge, to God, our neighbor, and ourselves. In both, the process is active. While the candidate is also active in the third degree, the result is passive; i.e., it provokes reflection about everything that has gone before. (So that in age, as Master Masons, we may enjoy the happy reflection consequent on a well-spent life, and die in the hope of a glorious immortality.) While Masonry is in no way part of the "Occult," in spite of the efforts of some groups to make it so, it is definitely a metaphysical science. (The word comes from two Greek words, Meta = to transcend, and physical = the physical of material world.) Therefore, Metaphysic is the study of man as he related to the Universe and the Divine Scheme (i.e., the, Deity). Without getting too involved ii how, when, or where the primordial form of the craft originated, it is generally conceded that in ancient cultures some thing like modern-day Freemasonry did exist. Would you expect to find the name of Hiram Abiff in the Holy Bible? It is! Would you then expect to find the dram about Hiram Abiff, as we know it, in if same book? It is not! The legend was invented shortly after the formation of the Grand Lodge of England. Might you expect to find the legend of Hiram Abiff anywhere in antiquity? Knowing of its invention, along with the third degree, I would not. The surprising thing is that it has been found—found in ancient Egypt, of all places. Among the ancient Egyptians, there existed what was called "The Mysteries" along with its accompanying Rites of Initiations. Basically, it was a story of life, death, and resurrection. Mind you, this was more than 2,000 years before Christ. In these Rites, the candidate or neophyte would be made to symbolically descend into the darkness of the tomb, by placing him in a casket. After wandering the halls of Hades, he is reborn or made to "Come forth by day," i.e., by these Rites or the obtaining of knowledge his soul is released from darkness. These initiations took place in the pyramids and temples, many of which had two obelisks or pillar-like columns at the entrance. (Does that remind you of Boaz and Jachin ?) In contrast to our fraternity, initiation was by invitation only. As the neophyte passed each test or grade in turn, he became a teacher for those who came after him. The process took at least seven years. The candidate first passed the "Gate of men," his eyes bandaged and his hands tied. He was then led around the room where two square columns and a ladder with seven steps were located. He was told: "An All-Powerful-Being controls the universe. No mortal can behold him, and nothing can be hidden from him. He produces all things and through Him they exist." He was then clothed with a pyramid-shaped hood and an apron placed around his waist. Except for these and a tasseled collar around his neck, he was naked. The apron, incidentally, was triangular in form. In one degree, the assassination of Osiris was depicted. (Osiris, as the King of Egypt, was known as "The Lord of all the Earth.") The candidate, asked if he took part in this murder, denied his complicity. During the third degree, the Pharaoh himself took part. The candidate was offered a precious crown and, depending on his reaction, he was admitted or denied. The correct answer was to reject the crown, symbolizing his rejection of material wealth. The King (played by the actual Pharaoh) would then in feigned anger strike the candidate on the head as if to kill him because he had refused the King's generosity. The candidate was then wrapped like a mummy. When the bandages were removed, a bright blinding light was caused to shine on him.

61 There were seven degrees, each taking one to three years before he could advance. Along the course of instruction, he was taught all that was known of the arts and sciences. That there is a connection between Egyptian Metaphysics and modern Freemasonry is evident in the sculptures and paintings dating back thousands of years. In these will be noted a cloth tied around the waist of Pharaohs and others to signify membership in a select group, versed in "The Mysteries." In 1879, identical obelisks were sent as a gesture of goodwill from the government of Egypt to London and to New York City, the latter obelisk referred to as "Cleopatra's Needle." Within its base were found symbols that we would recognize as "Masonic." There was a plummet made of lead, a rough and a perfect ashlar, a square, a trowel, an apron, and a keystone. The description of these and considerable more details are reported in a book published in 1886, The Scarlet Book of Freemasonry by M. W. Redding, chapter X, pages 451 to 534 (especially pages 474 to 492). The similarities between those items of ancient Egypt and our modern Masonic symbols are too close to be mere coincidence. Also comparing the above described Egyptian ceremony with our own ritual is indeed striking, and it is not unreasonable to induce a connection of one to the other. Our Third, or Master Mason Degree, is called sublime because it is awe-inspiring, above the usual or commonplace. At least it is when properly done and clearly understood. Actually, the third degree is very "serious business." That is why horseplay or attempts at "fun" during the second section are out of place and in poor taste. (I'm sure you all know what I refer to.) In the Entered Apprentice Degree we're emphasizing the attainment of knowledge. In the Fellowcraft degree the further addition of knowledge, plus the application of this knowledge. The first two degrees are concerned with the physical or material side of life. In the third degree, being symbolic of old age, we are left to contemplate its infirmities and speculate on what lies beyond. Remember now thy Creator, while you're still young enough and healthy enough to do something about it. When you're old and ready to die, it's too late. The circumambulation describes in allegory the various infirmities and ills of aging. You may read it on the original source in Ecclesiastes, chapter 12. Hiram Abiff is the central character in the drama, but in the degree the individual candidate is made to assume the character of Hiram Abiff, because while he (Hiram Abiff when being the live candidate) represents the soul of everyman, it is you and your soul that is involved. You are not the spectator, but the participant. Although we call him our Grand Master, we do not worship him. He is used as a symbolic object representing those qualities common to the soul of man. The three ruffians are symbols of ignorance, passion, all the carnal and evil in this world that is continually besetting us, frustrating us, and threatening whatever is good in man. Merely allowing the candidates to observe the drama from the sidelines would fail to drive home the lessons that each of us must subdue our individual natural enemy. Consider that Hiram Abiff as well as the three ruffians were from the same origin or country, i.e., from Tyre or Phoenicia. The difference was in their inherent characters. We overlook the fact that we ourselves are our own worst enemy. The comic character Pogo said it: "We have met an enemy and they is us!" Each individual carries the seed of his or her own destruction, just as he also contains the seeds of his own immortality. From the moment we are born, we begin to die. We all come into this life physically helpless, and we usually exit in much the same way. At birth, a baby is crying and its fists are clenched. It reminds me of those restless youth of today who are so fond of demonstrating also with clenched fists. You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist. Neither can you give or receive anything; that requires an open hand. When a man dies, his hands are open. He is receiving something, whereas he may be giving something to those he leaves behind. In the Master Mason degree, the altar is used to symbolize the Holy of Holies. This degree, unlike the first two, is spiritual, not material. (Now don't misquote me by saying this degree is "Immaterial.") That is why it is called sublime. Incidentally, we've all heard it said, "So-and-so made me a Master Mason." No one, not even a Grand Master, can truly make someone a Master Mason. Only the individual, himself, can do that. Passing a ritual proficiency, wearing the correct jewelry, even a paid-up dues card cannot do that. For the true meaning of Master Mason is "Master of one's self."

62 If finally getting into the Sanctum Sanctorum, or Holy of Holies, being killed, and eventually being resurrected is sublime, does that mean that is "the end of the line"? Is that all there is?" Or is it?" That depends. For some, the answer is yes, that's all there is and nothing more. They are content with a substitute for the lost word. (Indeed the last word.) For others it is not the last word. They want the real word, not a substitute, and they're willing to climb higher, dig deeper, or whatever it takes to find it. Royal Arch Masons are like that, or at least should be. Getting into the Sanctum Sanctorum and receiving a substitute for the Master's Word is not enough. The Master Mason's degree, although it is the "Sublime" degree, teaches us that the lost Word, the true glory of life, can only be found in another life; that is why it is called the "Sublime" degree. The Royal Arch in Washington State is composed of four degrees: Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and the Royal Arch Degree. In some places it consists of only three degrees (as in British Columbia). In other places, it may consist of the Royal Arch degree alone. Some jurisdictions do not have the Most Excellent degree, while in others; the Mark Master is a separate, sovereign body. As I contemplate the degrees, with the idea of establishing a connection with the first three degrees, I believe the Past Master degree could be eliminated, the Mark Master could be tacked onto the Fellowcraft degree (although do not construe this as advocating such change). However, it seems to me that the Most Excellent Master and the Royal Arch degrees are absolutely essential. The two could be made into one degree were it not for the extended length of such. If we consider each Master Mason as a perfect ashlar, an integral part of that Spiritual Temple, not made with hands, then these degrees make sense symbolically. In the Most Excellent Master Degree, the Temple is not completed until the placement of the Keystone, a part initially rejected through ignorance, but later found to be essential to the building, actually the special piece on which the whole structure depends. Only after the Keystone is in place could the Ark of the Covenant and its accessories be brought into the Sanctum Sanctorum to become the Mercy Seat of God, the symbol of God's presence with us. Again in the Royal Arch degree, not until the Ark of the Covenant is discovered and its contents understood was it possible to receive the True Word at all, from any source. The Ark of the Covenant and its accoutrements therefore become the very "keystone" of the Sanctum Sanctorum of the Temple. The "Bottom Line." When we do arrive at the core of the entire search, we discover it is the Tetragrammaton, the Ineffable Name of the Most High. "Tetragrammaton" are in three. A second triangle is formed with the left wrists and hands, a third triangle (also equilateral in form) formed by the right wrists and hands. Then the actual conferral is performed between the second and third triangles. This recurrence of the equilateral triangles comes from the Greek "Tetra" meaning four, and "Grammaton" meaning letter, the word being composed of four Hebrew letters or consonants. It is an interesting curiosity that in most of the ancient languages the name of Deity is expressed by a four-letter word. Of course, without knowing the exact vowel it is not possible to know the true pronunciation. This pronunciation was forbidden to the ancient Hebrews and thus became unknown to most of them. The Aaronic High Priest, once a year, went into the Holy of Holies of the Temple and there, while the people prostrated themselves outside as they recited: "Praised be the Name of His glorious kingdom, forever and ever," the High Priest, alone, pronounced the sacred name. This procedure was in use during the period of the second temple. Unknown to all except the High Priest, he imparted it to his successor under a binding oath never by him to be repeated except in strict accordance with the prescribed rule (Priests and Levites were retired from active temple duties upon attaining the age of 50 years). With the passage of time, the final destruction of the temple in 70 A.D., and the dispersions of the Jews, the True Word became lost, with no source from which it could be obtained. Hence the true Word became a lost word, the Tetragrammaton. To this day, the Jews do not attempt this pronunciation, but use the substitute word, "Adonai," meaning "The Lord." The letter "Yod" is a symbol of "Adonai." You will note it within a circle of a Grand Master's jewel, or within an equilateral triangle in the Scottish Rite fourteenth degree, as well as many other places in the symbols of Freemasonry.

63 These traditions have infused into and become amalgamated with the very heart and core of Masonry. We have a new name "Which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it." Masonry has adopted this concept of the power of words, not in any superstitious sense, but in the sense of understanding their meaning, significance, and importance. Themost sublime teachings of our fraternity are tied to the allegory of "The Master's Word." Thus, we call our Royal Arch Degree the most sublime degree because at last, in this degree, we arrive at the Tetragrammaton, the name symbolizing Divine Truth, the Zenith of Masonic Light. We can thus proclaim with all the fervor and zeal of the Holy Royal Arch, "Holiness to the Lord."

The Tale of a novice in an order that permitted only two words to be spoken once a year At the end of his first year he presented to the Prior and said "Was Tough," The second year he said, "Hard Bed," The third year he said, "Food bad," The fourth year he said, "I quit." The Prior replied, "I don't blame you; you've done nothing but complain ever since you've been here."

REFERENCES: 1. Washington degree ciphers and Monitor 2. Knight Templar Magazine, Vol. XXV, Nov 1979, "Freemasonry and the Ancient Egyptian Rites," by Ralph W. Lichty, P.D., pages 7-10. 3. The Scarlet Book of Freemasonry, by M. W. Redding, pub. 1886, pages 451534. 4. History of Royal Arch Masonry, published 1956, Vol. 111, "The Tetragrammaton," by Dr. William L. Cummings. 6. Holy Bible, Ecclesiastes XII.

64 HIGHLIGHTS OF GRAND CHAPTER OF WASHINGTON 1884-1984 Fraternally submitted Robert Truesdale Dayton Chapter No. 5 Grand Historian Centennial Grand High Priest

It was a pleasant surprise to me, at the last Convocation, to be appointed to the office of Grand Historian of this Grand Chapter. I am probably the only Grand Historian to be elected to this position—yes, I did say elected. Imagine elected to an appointed position. This is probably a prime example of the side effects of end results that one gets when not thinking ahead. How often we vote or make a decision and are surprised at the results we affect in another area. That's what Einstein meant by his Theory of Relativity. How did I get elected? Well, actually Very Excellent Companion Raymond Opsata already had been appointed Grand Historian, but you, the Craft, saw fit to elect him to the position of Grand Scribe. This left a vacancy and I was privileged to be appointed to the position by our most Excellent Companion Ted Fonis, for which I am grateful. So—as an end result of your election, you got me. The office of Grand Historian was a natural for me. A pioneer history buff long before I became a Mason, it naturally carried over into my Masonic activities. I was privileged to be Master of my Dayton Lodge during its one hundredth year. I went back through a hundred years of history and minute books and I can tell you it was an education. There were many unique incidents such as when a lodge committee was formed to locate and purchase a horse for one of the widows, or when in an effort to follow the Code, a Brother who purchased a half interest in a saloon was tried and suspended. But a year later when he sold his interest he was promptly re-instated. But what surprised me most (we had set up a reading of the minutes of that first year, to be read immediately after the minutes of the current year) was that if the two sets of minutes were read in reverse order, it was hard to tell the difference. The problems of attendance, dues, demits, participation, and membership were much the same. I did notice a lot of petitions but also that they rejected about three out of every five. This last year as Grand Historian I have turned my efforts to the history of our Grand Chapter for I feel that the future is somewhat predictable by the patterns we have made in the past. And it is these patterns I would like to talk about. The Grand Chapter since its inception in 1884 has come a long way towards its present state of maturity. But it was established at the very first Convocation that this new Grand Chapter meant business, when the first Grand High Priest delivered his edict against gambling and liquor. Masons, he admonished, must adhere to Masonic conduct. Before the year was out the edict had already been violated; Walla Walla Chapter was on the carpet. It seems their trial and exoneration of a known gambler was just not acceptable. They were directed to clean up the problem, which they did. Two years later the edict was again violated, by my own Dayton Chapter this time. It seems we advanced to the degree of Mark Master a saloon keeper. Our High Priest claimed he had never read the edict. Nevertheless, the degrees on that candidate were then and there terminated. Through the years hundreds of resolutions were brought to Grand Chapter. Some were adopted but more often than not they were rejected. The Craft was very reluctant to make any changes just for the sake of change. Sometimes even good resolutions were rejected simply because of clarity in intent. Resolutions to alter dues were most common, yet time and time again an increase of as little as fifty cents was rejected. Again and again attempts were made to get approval for a half payment or no payment for clergymen taking degrees. Absolutely not, said the Grand High Priests, and the Companions concurred. Let them come in as anyone else, on the same level. Resolutions to establish or to abolish different Grand Chapter offices also seemed to be numerous. The offices of Grand Steward, Historian, and Organist were constantly kicked around. In 1938 there was a resolution to abolish the Office of Deputy Grand High Priest, Grand Orator, and Grand Steward. In 1954 the Grand High Priest recommended that the office of Deputy Grand High Priest and Grand Steward be eliminated but that the Grand Historian be retained. The resolutions were many but the Craft failed to yield to those impromptu resolutions either for or against. They refused to change what they were comfortable with just because a few wanted a change. The Ritual; probably was the subject of more controversy than anything else in Grand Chapter, and rightfully so. The first Ritual was adopted from one used in a southeastern jurisdiction. It did the job but came under fire from General Grand Chapter in 1889 and our use of the Ritual was challenged. The challenge by unanimous vote of the Companions was rejected by our Grand Chapter. It was reasoned that since General Grand had not as yet adopted any Ritual, they did not have the right to criticize ours.

65 We did update in 1900 when the General Grand endorsed a common Ritual for all. But this led to more problems and chapters were confused. As one Grand High Priest related, "I found some using one or the other, some used some of each, and others used something that resembled nothing I had ever seen." Year after year the subject came up. Year after year committees were assigned and later dismissed. Finally in the fifties serious work was begun on a new Ritual. It was finalized, adopted, and put into print by 1952, the year Most Excellent Companion Don Rogers became Grand High Priest. It was through his persistence that the Ritual was distributed and put into use. He made a personal visit to each and every chapter to promote and see that it was understood and used. The Ritual was established and put to use, but already by the next convocation and at almost every one since, there seems to be at least one resolution to change the Ritual; delete a word, add a word, change the calling from one degree to the other, or let's modify the opening a bit. A resolution adopted back in 1949 established a standard key lecture, but by 1957 another resolution made it optional. The part of our Ritual called the Optional Journey came under attack several times; I'm sure by people who never understood it. Even one Grand High Priest recommended it be removed; some, he said; had taken liberties with it. I have seen much greater liberties taken with the Third Degree. Personally I feel the Optional Journey is one of the greatest innovations in our Ritual. Where else in Masonry do we find an authorized option? From the Candidate's viewpoint it is the most impressive degree in Masonry when done properly and with dignity. I received it under the guidance of Most Excellent Companion Dick Hein and I never forgot it. But all in all, Companions, every resolution serves its purpose no matter which way the vote goes. They are after all the working tools of our Grand Chapter. They are the only means whereby we Companions can voice our opinions, make our desires known, and affect the government of our Grand Chapter. I have found that I am more impressed with the resolutions rejected than the ones that were adopted. What was not allowed affected the chapter more than what was allowed. The Companions had done an outstanding job of preserving our ancient landmarks. It is these ancient landmarks that make our Grand Chapter what it is today. In my journey through our past proceedings I came across a few items I would like to pass along to you. In the 1893 Proceedings, a report was made of an Indiana incident. A Dr. Dewitt was a signer on a petition for dispensation of a Royal Arch Chapter. Everything went according to plan, the dispensation was granted and Dr. Dewitt was duly elected as the first High Priest. When Dr. Dewitt failed repeatedly to turn in his demit from his previous chapter, an investigation was made. It seems Dr. Dewitt was an imposter and had never even taken the degrees. In 1895, Sprague Chapter No. 6 was destroyed by fire. The Grand High Priest gave them permission to meet in an alternate location, in the courtroom of the County Courthouse. It was reported in the 1885 proceedings that a Grand Lodge of Mark Masters of England and Wales had invaded the Quebec Territory and was raising havoc with the chapters. They were rejected by the chapters, declared clandestine, and a protest was sent to the Grand Lodge of Mark Masters in England. In due time they ceased to be a problem. Another proceedings report related to a happening in Dayton, my home town. It seems Grand Chapter participated in a funeral, it didn't say for whom, but they opened chapter in our Lodge Room, then marched to the residence of the deceased, thence to the Opera House, where ritualistic services were performed by the Waitsburg Eastern Star, then to the cemetery where Waitsburg Lodge No. 16 performed a graveside service, after which the Grand Chapter returned to the hall and closed the chapter. As evidence just shown indicated, our Grand Chapter is not without pageantry. Probably one of the most spectacular incidents in our history was the placement of the keystone at Yakima's new temple on February 27, 1911. Most all of us have heard about how the stone was brought in rough ashler from the quarries in Jerusalem, and having been lost in shipment was not unlike the real stone on its way to the arch of King Solomon's temple. The stone, after delivery, was cut and formed in Yakima and Grand Chapter convened to conduct the placing of the stone, and thereby created one of the most exciting and spectacular ceremonies by Masons to ever be witness by the public. It was described the local news media as follows: "Probably one thousand Masons of high and low degree; in robes of royal state, representing the Grand Council of various chapters (of our Royal Arch Degree) which took part in the ceremony of building the original Temple of Solomon assembled to place the keystone on the new $200,000 temple. The ceremony began by rediscovering a curiously wrought stone some distance from the temple. The parade and ceremony following was unique in that it was probably the first time it has ever been seen in the Northwest, and impressive because of the pomp and pageantry relating to the ancient order dating back to the time of Solomon and the first temple. The Grand Procession marched and countermarched over the route to the new temple to the music of Ferullo's Band, clad in their gorgeous ceremonial robes presenting to the hundreds of people lining the streets a sight seldom seen. Following Companion Norman Compton, Grand Marshall, were forty singers; men in grey and women in white. The keystone was fitted and placed completing the Arch and the Temple. What a sight that must have been."

66 Companions; Masonry is not a spectacle but it certainly is spectacular, Royal Arch Masonry in particular, for it is the most sublime degree. What else but Masonry could demand and receive willingly; loyalty, that we as men probably never intended to give. What else but Masonry could captivate and intrigue men to the point of wanting to contribute phenomenal effort to its progress yet render them determined to retain all that's possible of its ancient form. Speaking of ancient forms; where else but Royal Arch do we find Past Grand High Priests? A few quotes from their learned lips. On chapter activities we might quote Most Excellent Companion Ted Fonis, when he was the Grand Scribe. He said, "The trend does not lie with large chapters alone; as observations and reports indicate that the small chapters progress also." On the same subject, Most Excellent Companion Frank Dixon said when he was Grand King, "It is my contention that if the requirements of the Code are properly observed, we have enough rules to amply guide us in all our deliberations." He was speaking as the Grand High Priest. Can't you hear him saying that? On what's important, I would like to quote from Most Excellent Companion Edward Caddy, when he was the Grand Orator in 1957, "Companions, you are the most important factor." He was addressing you, the members of Royal Arch. And Andrew McCalley, our second Grand High Priest in 1887, attended a dinner and installation at my own Dayton Chapter. All the ladies were present and there was a real feast. Afterward he said, "It's good to break bread with each other. More of this kind of work should be done; our families become better acquainted with each other. Let the good work become general." So Most Excellent Companion Tedl; he too enjoyed our country flavor. And what about Grand Chapter?? Most Excellent Companion Edwin Van Patten, Grand High Priest of 1919, said, "Wealth, honor, and position are but mere incidents of existence, while the real wealth lies in the friendships formed as we journey towards the setting sun." I feel that my life has been enriched by my associations with this and similar Grand Bodies; until now I see clearly that my greatest possession is the love of my Brothers and Companions." From Frank Fisher, Grand Scribe in 1962, we have this statement," My year of activity and association with Grand Chapter and constituent chapters has afforded me not only sincere pleasure but a real insight into the activities and achievements of our great fraternity, and a greater knowledge of the high ideals and moral principles of the members who comprise it." But our first Grand High Priest Louis Zeigler said it best in his address in 1885, "My Companions one and all, let us try to make our Grand Chapter what we fondly hope for our Commonwealth, a power for good, an influence of the right and just let the business of this convocation and of each coming one be conducted with all possible care, laying aside all selfish motives and holding to time-honored principles, guarding against undermining influences. Free-Masonry, with its purity and freedom, lives on and will continue to live until time shall be no more." Most Excellent Companion Don Rogers stated in his Grand High Priest report of 1952, "Masonry must progress, must prosper, because Masonry is a life, it is a spirit, and it is a character." I submit, my Companions, the future of Royal Arch Masonry is already written in its past. We have preserved the ancient landmarks and because of this we have insured our future. Our membership may rise and fall but the spirit, the life, the character is still there and it is my conviction that Royal Arch Masonry will prevail.

67 THE FUTURE OF ROYAL ARCH MASONRY by Robert E. Truesdale Centennial Grand High Priest 1983-1984

As we complete and count off the last days of the first century of this Grand Royal Arch Chapter, we must, of course, reflect upon our past and reevaluate the present in order to understand and project to our best ability the future of Royal Arch Masonry and this Grand Chapter. In the previous pages of this book we have revisited the many incidents and events relative to our long history. Royal Arch has endured the trials and tribulations of those early years when much of this nation was still being formed and the great Northwest was only a territory. It has survived the many years of hardship, sacrifice, war, peace, poverty, and prosperity. And it has also survived through a time in these later years when morality seemed out of place. During these later years we have noted with much concern the steady decline in membership, not only in Royal Arch but in all of Masonry. The aged but steadfast members were slowly ascending to that celestial reward which they had certainly earned, and we were left without knowledgeable Brethren and Companions to perform the work. Much of the remaining membership seemed too busy with the activities of daily life to devote much time to the Craft and potential candidates from the younger generation seemed less inclined to be influenced by such Masonic tenets as morality, truth, and brotherly love. It might be said that yesterday is history, the present is reality, and the future is our goal. We have the rest of our days to make our future what we want it to be—and so it is with Royal Arch Masonry: what it will be in the future depends upon what we do with it now. It is written that "Science was the Father of Freemasonry and Religion its Mother; it was born in the early dawn of Creation, when the supreme Grand Architect of the Universe commanded, 'Let there be Light,' and there was light; it was rocked in the cradle of Philosophy, taught to walk and read Nature by Reason, and fed by Truth. From the day of its birth it had to contend against the darkness of Ignorance, the persecutions of superstition, and the deadly assaults of Fanaticism, in defense of its life, and maintenance of its existence, a struggle which will continue in one form or another as long as the Sun will shine or the Earth move in the plane of its orbit." This profound statement was written back in the 1800's and it stands just as true today. The biggest obstacle we have in gaining membership is ignorance; ignorance about the Craft and about the purpose and meaning of the Order. Man is just as much in need of rising above himself today as at any time in his history. There is still the need to build that spiritual and moral character that sets him apart from his primitive ancestors, and his involvement in Masonry could provide him the necessary tools, if he only knew it, and if he would allow himself the advantage of those tools. Most Worshipful Alden Jones, Grand Master in 1975, said, "Nothing ever draws attention in a magnetic and compelling way unless it is something special; nothing ever achieves an enduring approval unless it is something special; nothing ever becomes an instinctive guideline unless it is something special. Masonry is like that; Masonry is something special." This last statement as well as all those before it could easily be applied to Royal Arch Masonry. To those who know, Royal Arch is the most important completion of the Third Degree—the Sublime Degree of the Royal Arch. Indeed, to Royal Arch Masons it is something very special. In contemplating the future of Royal Arch Masonry we must remember that we have come through a period of loss, when the elderly members were no longer able and the younger people were reluctant to enter our Masonic orders. We have seen an era when Morality became not as important to a permissive society, where Brotherly Love gave way to doing your own thing, where Charity was considered to be a government welfare check, and we watched an era of violence and anger of a younger generation that soon became victims of their own devices.

68 Once more we encountered a turning point in our history. We have seen a slight increase in the membership of many chapters this last year or so, and we see for the first time that more of those new members are the younger Masons, searching for something they missed, and I have no doubt that a great part of that need is morality. As I have visited the many chapters across the state, I have found that spark of pride in Royal Arch Masonry still exists and in almost every chapter activity is under way to promote and strengthen their chapters. Many chapters are undertaking degrees for the first time in many years, and others have assembled teams from members of several chapters, so that new members will be received and exalted in a prompt manner. I have seen, in most of the chapters, new determination and new activity that was not present a few years ago. It is my firm belief that Masonry once again is beginning to grow. We have reached an era of recovery in our country, an era of returning to the true principles of a more moral and equitable society, a time of mental adjustment, a time of moral and spiritual awareness. I feel that through the publicity efforts of Grand Lodge the Masonry will have a large and lasting influence during this new era, much as it did during those early years of this great country. We have seen in the long history of our past, and we will see again in the future, the ever-present influence of Masonry on our Country and on our life style. Remember, "Government of the people, for the people, by the people" was a great achievement of Masonic influence, and it is still with us. As long as this Country survives with its present form of government, Masonry will survive. And as long as Masonry survives in this great Country, our form of government will survive. And, as long as Masonry survives in its present form, Royal Arch Masonry will also survive. For, again, is it not the Most Sublime Degree, the necessary and climactic completion of the Master Mason Degree? And do you think Royal Arch Masons will ever allow it to be buried in darkness again, now or at any future period? Our first Grand High Priest Louis Ziegler said, "My Companions one and all, let us try to make our Grand Chapter what we fondly hope for our Commonwealth, a power for good, an influence for the right and just; let the business of this Convocation and of each coming one be conducted with all possible care, laying aside all selfish motives and holding to time-honored principles, guarding against undermining influence. Freemasonry with its purity and freedom lives on and will continue to live until time shall be no more." Past Grand High Priest Don Rogers said in his 1952 report, "Masonry must progress, and must prosper, because Masonry is a life, it is a spirit, and it is character." Can we doubt the wisdom of these fine Companions? My Companions, I submit to you again, the future of Royal Arch Masonry is already written in its past. We have preserved the Ancient Landmarks and we have kept the faith that brotherhood of man cannot be laid aside, and thus we have insured our future. Our membership may rise and fall as the ever-flowing tide, but the Spirit, the Life, and the Character are still there and it is my conviction that Royal Arch Masonry will prevail until time shall be no more.

69 EPILOGUE of the 1984 Edition

It is a matter of protocol in Masonry that no one speaks after the Grand Master (or in our case, the Grand High Priest). However, from a practical standpoint, protocol must on occasion yield to practicality. Since our Centennial Grand High Priest did not assume that office until the 100th installation ceremony, which occurred at the Holiday Inn in Bremerton on Thursday, May 19, 1983, this centennial history would be incomplete without this epilogue. It also serves a second purpose, forming a bridge with our second century of Royal Arch Masonry in Washington. Perhaps our Companions 100 years hence will look upon it as a "prologue" to their Bicentennial History, which I trust they will write. The Ninety-Ninth Grand Convocation of Royal Arch Masons was held at the Holiday Inn, Bremerton, Washington, on May 18 and 19, 1983. It was a very successful Convocation with an attendance of 272 votes being cast. The meeting was expertly conducted by Most Excellent Companion Gene Miles, assisted by his officers and committeemen. A large enjoyable banquet was enjoyed by the companions and ladies, followed by a dance and entertainment. Resolutions: Emergent Resolution No. 1; Relating to High Priests of other Jurisdiction, who are members of a chapter in this Jurisdiction having a vote in our Grand Chapter, did not receive an unanimous ballot and must be held over for the 1984 Session. Resolution: To set aside $7,500 to publish the History of the Royal Arch approved; Resolution to support the Grand Lodge of Washington in publicizing Masonry up to $200 approved. Resolution to pay distinguished guests and their wives' banquet and luncheon tickets approved. Excellent Companion James S. (Sig) Oien received the General Grand Chapter distinguished award. Three Chapters received 10% certificates, Fall City No. 54, Carnation No. 29, and Robert B. Palmer No. 46. Present were Representatives from British Columbia, Alaska, California, Nevada, General Grand Chapter, Montana, Idaho, Grand Commandery, Grand Council Oklahoma, and Grand Lodge F&AM, and one companion from Florida. Newly Elected and Appointed Officers: Grand High Priest, Robert E. Truesdale (5); Deputy Grand High Priest, Varden (Bud) Beorgadine (44); Grand King, Milton R. Benson (53); Grand Scribe, James G. McVay (22); Grand Secretary, Edward R. Caddy (45); Grand Chaplin, Waldo R. Glover (41); Grand Captain of Host, William L. Amsden (35); Grand Principal Sojourner, Norman V. Harms (33); Grand Royal Arch Captain, Donald L. Stephenson (64); Grand Master of the Third Veil, Richard E. Nyholm (44); Grand Master of the Second Veil, Toby Johnsen (26); Grand Master of the First Veil, Robert Eckhardt (5); Grand Orator, Herbert H. Smith (22); Grand Historian, Sidney Kase (4); Grand Organist, Edward L. Swanson (5); and Grand Sentinel, Matthew J. Vea (33). Deputies: (1) Benjamin F. Renn, (2) Gary Ford, (3) William E. Nelson, (4) Charles Creon, (5) Harold R. Schramm, (6) Richard C. McMillan, (7) Harry F. Johnson, (8) August E. (Max) Gilgan, (9) Clarence (Burt) Graham, (10) William H. Wehmeyer, (11) John W. Brewer, (12) John S. (Jack) Ranck, (13) G. Roy Pearson, (14) Delbert Trimble, (15) William F. Komorek, (16) William G. Wehmeyer. Welcome Address by Most Excellent Companion Ramon Opsata. Installing Grand Officers, Most Excellent Companion Ted Fonis, Grand High Priest; Most Excellent Companion Roy A. W. Kros, Grand Secretary; Most Excellent Companion Frank Dixon, Grand Captain of Host; Most Excellent Companion Donald Rogers, Grand Royal Arch Captain; Most Excellent Companion Vernon Parks, Grand Chaplain; Most Excellent Companion Bill Gillis, Grand Principal Sojourner; Excellent Companion Jessie Waite, Grand Organist; and Excellent Companion Orrin Niles, Grand Organist. 1984 Grand Sessions at Walla Walla, May 30 and 31. The "host chapter" for the 100th Convocation was Olympus Chapter No. 27 Royal Arch Masons, Very Excellent Companion Thomas L. Addy present High Priest. The Sessions Committee was chaired by Most Excellent Companion Gilbert L. Kaseburg, assisted by Very Excellent Companion Thomas L. Addy, Eminent Commander Milton Orr, Sir Knight Paul R. Constantin, and Companion Elwood B. Fryer. At the York Rite banquet on Tuesday, May 17, 1983, the General Grand Chapter's Bronze Medal for Distinguished Service was awarded to Very Excellent Companion James S. "Sig" Oien of Carnation Chapter, Kent. Following the dinner and appropriate remarks by the dignitaries present, we enjoyed a dance with the music provided by Excellent Companion Ed Swanson and his band. The trombonist was the Grand Scribe, Right 70 Excellent Companion Milton R. Benson. Outgoing Grand High Priest Gene Miles acted as master of ceremonies, ably assisted by the outgoing Grand Commander of the Knights Templar, Albert W. Shaw. We were honored by the attendance of a great many dignitaries of Masonry at the Grand Chapter meeting, including General Grand High Priest A. J. Lewis from Louisiana, a large contingency from British Columbia and the Yukon Territory, and Right Worshipful Brother Donald Brons, Deputy Grand Master of F&AM of Washington. The Convocation was opened at 8:30 a.m. by Most Excellent Companion Gene Miles, assisted by the Grand Chapter officers. The invocation was given by Excellent Companion Matthew Johnson Vea, Grand Chaplain; the flag ceremony (U.S. and Canadian) by Right Excellent Companion Robert Truesdale, Deputy Grand High Priest. Mr. Pat Jones, Kitsap County Sheriff, gave a fine address of welcome, which was responded to by Right Excellent Companion V. F. "Bud" Boergadine, Grand King. The Grand Secretary, Most Excellent Companion Edward Caddy, reported on the constituent chapters represented, after which the ballot box was opened. Formal reception of Past Grand High Priests, distinguished guests, grand representatives, appendant bodies and orders, and recipients of the General Grand Chapter Awards occupied considerable time. Very Excellent Companion Donald McCune and Most Excellent Companion Leroy Newcomer reported on the Royal Arch Masons Children's Heart Foundation and held election of trustees. Excellent Companion James McVay of Moses Lake was elected Centennial Grand Scribe. On Wednesday afternoon we heard the reports of the Grand Orator, Excellent Companion Robert G. Balden, and of the Grand Historian, Excellent Companion Toby Johnson (Past Grand Master of Washington). These, plus the happenings in detail may be read in the Grand Chapter Proceedings. Grand Chapter was recessed at 3:30 p.m., after which the room was rearranged for the conferral of the "Order of High Priesthood." Wednesday evening, the Past Grand High Priests enjoyed their special dinner. Thursday morning was used to "wrap things up" and hold the "Centennial" installation. Our newly installed "Centennial Grand High Priest," Robert Truesdale, appeared at the rostrum dressed in an antique frock coat, wearing a black derby and brand new shoes. He told us that his grand session in May 1984 at Walla Walla would stress the theme of "Nostalgia," and promised to raise an attendance of 600 to 700. He also promised interesting and innovative district meetings. He then made special introductions of his wife, Delores; Most Excellent Companion Bill Gillis (Past Grand High Priest from his chapter); Bruce Keith (who was Worshipful Master when Truesdale entered Masonry, and from whom he received his First Degree); Robert Eckhart (another Past Master of Truesdale's Lodge), who raised him in the Third Degree; Wes Calkins (his coach); Most Excellent Companion Frank Dixon (who "brainwashed) him into joining Royal Arch Masonry); Most Excellent Companion Don Rogers (from Dayton Chapter), who encouraged him; Very Excellent Companion Rex Davis (who was the District Deputy in Royal Arch), and with whom he travelled considerably; and Excellent Companion Art Wetherford (who was Truesdale's "pupil"), and who is now High Priest of Dayton Chapter. Most Excellent Companion Truesdale thanked his installing team, all Past Grand High Priests: Most Excellent Companions Ted Fonis, Roy A. W. Krows, Vernon Parks, Ramon Opsata, William Gillis, Frank Dixon, and Donald Rogers. Most Excellent Companion Truesdale also recognized the new Grand Commander, Sir Knight Hiram Colburn, and Most Eminent Grand Master William Gillis as his co-workers during this Centennial year. Mention was made of the fact that Dayton Chapter No. 5 had produced four Grand High Priests: Dr. Edwin Van Patten, Donald Rogers, William Gillis, and Robert Truesdale. Becoming visibly emotional, the Grand High Priest sang his parting remarks, to the tune of the hymn, One Step At A Time: "I'm only human, I'm just a man. Help me in what I can be, and all that I am. Show me the stairway I have to climb. Lord, for my sake, help me to take; show me the way, One Step At A Time." A gavel, originally presented to Dr. Edwin Van Patten, the first Grand High Priest to come from Dayton Chapter No. 5, was presented to Most Excellent Companion Robert Truesdale, Centennial Grand High Priest; the fourth Grand High Priest to come from Dayton Chapter. The ladies were then excused, the "team" assembled for pictures (taken by Excellent Companion Jim Cummings) and the Grand Chapter was formally closed. The future lies ahead, beyond the curving staircase of time. We can write no further. We salute the Royal Arch Masons of Anno Inventionis 2613 (A.L. 6083). May it be God's will that the record of the next hundred years will amplify his Glory!

71 GLEANING OF PROCEEDINGS 1984-2011 REPORTS SUBMITTED AT GRAND CHAPTER CONVOCATIONS

REPORT OF GRAND HISTORIAN 1984 THE CENTENNIAL HISTORY Respectfully submitted VEC Sidney Kase (4) Grand Historian

The formation of the Centennial Committee is described in the fore-part of the book. Soon after I was given the assignment of writing the Centennial History for the Royal Arch Masons of Washington, I requested that a letter be sent to every Royal Arch Chapter in the state requesting that they compile the history of their individual Chapter, and stressing the importance of pictures, and their transmittal to me as soon as possible. This could be done either through the mail, or given to me at a Grand Chapter Convocation or other convenient occasion. The respective Grand High Priests at that time, namely MEC Vernon R. Parks in 1980 and MEC Ramon M. Opsata in 1981 each endorsed this letter, and it was subsequently sent to each Chapter twice, once in each of those years. I then expectantly waited for the pictures and histories to start coming in. One third of the existing Chapters responded with some form of history. A few sent in very good histories, along with many pictures. Some sent in very brief, sketchy histories. Some were handwritten on a single sheet of paper, without evidence of very much effort. Sadly, two-thirds of the Chapters did not respond at all. Does that shock you? It should! Nevertheless, I could wait no longer than I did, and so attempted to glean whatever history I could find in the past Proceedings of our Grand Chapter. The pictures that were submitted have added much to the book, especially if you consider that one picture is worth a thousand words. I am grateful to those who were so cooperative. Additional items were selected which were of general interest and representative of the writings and literary production of our companions. Our Grand Chapter possesses considerable talent and it was extremely difficult to select one and omit another. Not only was it required that they be a wide sampling of our work as Masons, but also that it fit into an over-all pattern that would lead towards a finale or conclusion befitting a Centennial History. Such was my aim, at any rate. After assembling all the material and arranging it in some orderly sequence, it had to be typed out, to be uniform. The Chairman of the Centennial Committee, VEC LaVelle Thresher, located a lady in Bellevue who did typing and had word-processing equipment. VEC Thresher and I met with her on several occasions regarding the typing of the manuscript, giving direction, etc. Originally, the manuscript was typed across the entire 8 ½ x 11 page, and this was used as our initial working manuscript. The graphic work: copying the pictures, enlarging or reducing their dimensions, setting the margins was a technical problem all its own. Thanks to Companion George Leslie, who is connected with Fort Steilacoom Community College, we were put in touch with a Mr. Ken Murphy of their Audio- visual and Graphic-Arts Dept., who undertook the illustrative and photographic work (at a very reasonable cost) in his spare time. All the expenses up to this point came from the proceeds of the sales of Centennial Coins, Medallions, Buckles, etc. We now had a rough manuscript, including pictures and illustrations, which was absolutely essential in order to obtain printing job estimates. Now began the "Leg-work". VEC Thresher and I visited several book printing establishments

72 together, showed them our material and asked, "How much?" We each also sought bids independently. Usually, we were met with indifference if not complete lack of interest. It seemed every Printer was busy and looking for bigger, better-paying commercial ventures than ours. A scholarly history, even if it was in celebration of a Centennial anniversary mattered little to them, or so it appeared to us. Those who condescended to even consider us requested us to leave a copy of the manuscript for their perusal, in order to formulate an estimate. This required at least one trip to deliver the manuscript and another to pick it up, with the estimate. Additionally, numerous inquiries were made by telephone, usually not very productive. We obtained estimates from printers as far south as Olympia and as far north as Redmond, concentrating on companies in Seattle, Bellevue, and Tacoma. The Grand Chapter meeting at Bremerton in 1983 had authorized an additional maximum amount of $7000 which we could draw on (or such portion thereof as necessary) to produce a Centennial History. As the estimates began coming in, all based on 500 copies of our assembled manuscript, we developed a gradually sinking feeling. Most estimates were in the $20,000 to $30,000 range. One (the highest) was for $70,000 (incidentally, they lost the manuscript copy I had left there). To make matters more frustrating, not only did we appear to have insufficient funds to achieve our goal, we were running out of time. Our desire to produce a "Rolls-Royce" history was not workable. We were willing to settle for a "Chevrolet", but where, and how could we do it? As it often happens, the solution was finally found in my own "back-yard" and just in the nick of time. Lakewood Printers had done many small jobs for the Masons in Pierce County, such as bulletins, rosters, etc. Could they do a book? They were willing to try, and seemed genuinely interested in working with us on such a project. Ordinarily, a book has to be typeset to be printed. Typesetting our book was going to cost 4 to 5 thousand dollars. We decided to eliminate this step. We went back to our word processor instead and had the material done over in a two column format. This proved adequate, considerably cheaper, and it worked. With the new format, Lakewood printers went at it. In due time, a Proof copy was given to me, which I proofread, finding many mistakes, which I corrected. Proof copy number two yielded more mistakes, which were likewise corrected. I expected Proof copy number three to be faultless. Far from it. I found more mistakes than the previous times. By now the deadline was very near, and I could edit no longer, I gave the order, "Print it!" Within three weeks the book was done up in small individual sections called "Signatures" and were ready to be bound into a book. I had designed the cover to be hardback, red or scarlet as the appropriate color of Royal Arch Masonry, of simulated leather texture, with the lettering to be in gold, indicative of the 100 year Centennial. I showed my sketch to Jane Lokken who is a graphic artist by profession and presently Conductress of Naomi Chapter, O.E.S. Sister Jane Lokken graciously donated her talent in designing the cover utilized for our book. The bookbinder is located in Portland, Oregon. After all this effort, I did not wish to risk the loss or possible delay of this material in transit. I was also trying to conserve our budget. Consequently, on a Wednesday, accompanied by EC Malcolm Wilkinson, we loaded about 1000 lbs. of printed matter ("Signatures") into my covered pickup truck and personally delivered them to the bookbinder. About three weeks later, the finished product was in my possession. I also undertook to deliver the books to this meeting, for reasons as before mentioned. There will be those who will criticize this book, and they are entitled to do so, for it is far from perfect, being the product of people, who are not perfect. Besides, we wanted to include something in it for everyone, even material for the critics.

73 REPORT OF GRAND ORATOR 1984 THE ROYAL ARCH DEGREE EMERGENCE, CONTROVERSY AND ACCEPTANCE Fraternally submitted Herb Smith, Grand Orator

To help explain the origin of the Royal Arch Degree, it becomes necessary to point out some historical events which transpired in England, Scotland and Ireland in the mid-seventeenth century. Events which generated strife and divided the people of the English Isles and particularly the Freemasons for nearly two hundred years and even spread to the colonies of America. The year of 1648 saw the defeat of the ruling Monarchy and a commonwealth established in England. This commonwealth was aligned with the Protestants and the throne was sworn to uphold the protestant religion. At the death of Charles II in 1685, this oath to maintain the protestant religion was betrayed by his successor, James II who was a Roman Catholic. The violation of his vows forced James II to abdicate his throne in 1688. But he still desired to sit on the throne of England and with a French army and Irish rebels invaded Ireland only to meet defeat in 1690. Although the throne remained in the hands of the Protestants, James II and his line - known as the House of Stuarts or Pretenders - continued in their efforts to regain the throne. These efforts by the pretenders were to persist until the death of Henry Benedict, the last of the pretenders, in 1807 and the whole matter of James II was laid to rest. With this sketchy background, we can now take a look at the revival of Freemasonry in England and how it relates to the Royal Arch Degree. In the early eighteenth century, Masonry was in such a decadent state that it was in serious danger of becoming extinct and becoming just another organization of men defunct by internal quarrels. However, a group of men led by such Masons as Desaguliers, Payne and Anderson were able to preserve and revive the system of Freemasonry. It was by their zealous efforts, social prestige and influential personalities that they were able to secure the support of the noblemen and others of influence to meet together - members of four lodges - in 1717 at the Apple Tree Tavern to formulate and constitute the first Grand Lodge of England. It might be noted at this time that there wasn't any strong opposition to this action of forming a Grand Lodge nor to the small changes made to the ritual. This was to come later from one Lawrence Dermott. It is during this point of time that we begin to see the emergence of the degree and degrees which will form the basis of the Royal Arch Degree as we know it now. Andrew Michael Ramsay, from Scotland, a Protestant, educated at the University of Edinburgh and a teacher of Renown, whose travels and experiences in Holland were to provide him with the background to formulate many degrees for Masonry. Degrees that are based on the myths, legends and histories of Ancient Lands, primarily the Hebrew and Egyptian Nations, with the central theme being the Temple of Solomon. It was also while in Holland that he became employed by James III, the Pretender, to tutor his children. It was while so engaged, that Ramsay denounced the Protestant religion and embraced the Catholic religion and became active in promoting the return of the House of Stuarts to the throne of England and communion with the Roman Catholic Church. So we find in 1628, Ramsay attempting to have the Grand Lodge of England accept his system of Masonic Degrees, more especially the Royal Arch of Solomon or Enoch (Also called "Grand Scottish Knight of the Sacred Vault of Mames VI"). This degree was an attempt to promote the House of the Stuarts and return the Catholics to the Throne of England. Having rejected the Protestant Religion and actively supported the Pretender, Ramsay met fierce opposition from Rev. John T. Desaguliers and Rev. James Anderson, Protestant Clergymen and the driving forces for the revival of Freemasonry in England and the formation of the Grand Lodge. Ramsay was to fail; however, he was able to plant the seeds of Jealousy, Ambition and Discord which later rendered the Grand Lodge Asunder. Note also that his degree is still available for use.

74 Into the picture steps Lawrence Dermott from Ireland and living in London. He was ambitious and desired to create changes in the system of Freemasonry. He too met with strong opposition and he, along with several Companions, seceded from the Grand Lodge of England - they were also expelled - and formed another Grand Lodge with Dermott as Grand Master. This Grand Lodge was known as the "Grand Lodge of Ancient York Masons" constituted in 1739. Dermott then voiced the accusation loudly and longly that the Grand Lodge of England was illegally formed in 1717 because there were but four lodges present to constitute the Grand Lodge. He accused further, that these same Masons had changed the ritual; however slight it might have been. It was for these reasons that Dermott branded those of the Grand Lodge of England as "Moderns" and styled his own Grand Lodge as the "Ancients". Dermott was to persist with his attacks and by his influence able to cause dissension between the Grand Lodge of England and the Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland. Having allied the Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland with his own against the "Moderns", Dermott proceeded to dismember the Masonic Degrees and incorporate a Degree into the "Ancients" Lodges called the Royal Arch of Zerubbabel. A Degree which was adopted from Ramsay's Degree and further embellished by Dermott. Remember now, that Dermott has cried foul against the Grand Lodge of England for slight changes they made to the ritual in 1717; here he completely rearranges the Third Degree and adds another - The Royal Arch. It was true then as it is now, that the more blatant the voice is, that will be the one to garner the most attention until the truth will be found out. The "Ancients" were to enjoy a growth which exceeded the "Moderns"' with their portrayal of the Royal Arch of Solomon. As was mentioned earlier, there were struggles between the Nobility and the Commoners; fighting between Catholics and Protestants and in the center of all this were the Masons (supposedly neutral in such matters). However, the "Moderns" membership consisted mostly of Protestant Nobles; whereas, the "Ancients" consisted of the Catholic Nobility together with the Common Craftsman. The Commoners in the "Ancient" Lodge had something the fine gentlemen of the "Modems" Lodges did not have - they had the Royal Arch Degree and they did delight in it. Dermott continues to stir up the pot and the schism continues for the Grand Lodges; but, circumstances are beginning to occur which will permit a slow healing process to begin. The "Modems" have in their ranks one Thomas Dunckerley, his expertise is in the teaching of the Masonic Degrees and arranging them slightly to get the most out of them. Borrowing from Ramsay and Dermott, Dunckerley formulates an innovative Degree - the Royal Arch - and presents it to the "Moderns" and were it not for his popularity and the support of those in High office, he would have been deemed a traitor and summarily expelled from the Grand Lodge of England. His Degree of Royal Arch will be used by some of the "Moderns", but neither sanctioned nor censured by the Grand Lodge. It will enjoy a certain amount of success and acceptance within the ranks of the "Moderns" and we see another means to effect the healing and joining of the Grand Lodges - still very much apart at this time. We have looked at some of the events that occurred in the mid seventeenth century to the latter part of the eighteenth century in the English Isles and some of the effects on Masonry. But what has happened in the colonies of America? To be very brief, pretty much of the same thing as far a Masonry was concerned. Lodges were established under the warrants from the Grand Lodges of England -both Moderns and Ancients. The Royal Arch Degree was introduced very shortly after its introduction in England being recorded as early at 1753 with the Royal Arch Degree given to three Masons in the Fredericksburg Lodge of Virginia. But it was not until 1758 that a warrant was issued to Philadelphia Lodge No. 3 in Pennsylvania from the Grand Lodge of England to operate as a Chapter. The colonies were to enjoy different Royal Arch Degrees in their Lodges; initially, of course, would be the Royal Arch of Zerubbabel from the "Grand Lodge of Ancient York Masons;" or the Ancients introduced into the southern colonies. Here also, would be the found Ramsay's Royal Arch of Solomon. While in the northern colonies the Royal Arch from the Grand Lodge of England would be found. Differences still exist, but changes to all this is just down the road. Let us now return to England and see what is transpiring toward. Unification of the Grand Lodges.

75 Essentially, four important events have occurred during the last few years of the eighteenth century and the earliest years of the nineteenth century. Dermott dies and thus is removed the Prime Agitator against the "Moderns". Henry Benedict, the last of the House of Stuarts or Pretenders to the throne of England dies thus removing the influence of James II. The acceptance of a Royal Arch Degree in part in the "Moderns" lodges and an event of paramount significance. That is that the Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ancient York Masons (Ancients) - and now properly known as the Grand Lodge of Atholl - was persuaded by the Grand Master of the Moderns to step aside, to end all quarrels, and begin serious efforts to join the two Grand Lodges into one viable body. During this time the Grand Lodges of Scotland and Ireland re-established Masonic Communications with the Grand Lodge of England and admitting their previous error of recognizing the Grand Lodge of the "Ancients". Still, the first proposals for unity were turned aside, but, the door is opened and widening rapidly. December 27, 1813, at Freemason's Hall the two Grand Lodges met together as individual bodies and were able to retire as one Grand Lodge known and acknowledged by the style and title of the Grand Lodge of Ancient Freemasons of England. The great Schism of Masonry is sealed and healed. There still remain differences of forms and ceremonies and these were attended to at another time and from this we have this declaration, "it is declared and pronounced that Pure Ancient Masonry consists of Three Degrees, and no more, VIZ.: Those of the entered apprentice, the Fellow-Craft, and the Master Mason, including the Supreme Order of the Holy Royal Arch". Compromises were made from both sides regards to the Degrees, the Forms and Ceremonies to achieve the main goal of union and providing responsible and charitable Masons to the world. Back to the colonies of America and their several Royal Arch Degrees inherited from England and abroad. The northern states met together in 1797 to formulate plans to organize a Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons for the Northern States. In January, 1798, the Grand Chapter was created and Thomas Smith Webb was elected as Grand Scribe. In 1799 the Grand Chapter assumed the title of the General Grand Chapter. Let's take a look at Thomas Smith Webb, he is credited with being an outstanding ritualist, short on Philosophy and lacking in-depth knowledge of the symbolism of Masonry and yet his perseverance to his strength in Degree work is to be admired. Notwithstanding his shortcomings regards to knowledge and such, Webb formulated a Royal Arch Degree gathered from those in existence and his own fertile mind and gave us what is called the American Rite. It is essentially this Degree of Webb's which we use in the Royal Arch today. The General Grand Chapter then had in its possession a Royal Arch Degree to present to those chapters in its Jurisdiction. Slowly, but, surely the States formed their own Grand Chapters and somewhat slower, associated themselves with the General Grand Chapter and the use of a single Royal Arch Degree. There are still differences, but not anything near what we saw in the mid-seventeenth century to the start of the eighteenth century. In conclusion: We have pointed out the great split between Masons and part of reasons for it - political and religious. Some of the problems generated by this schism and the gains obtained - however, not mentioned in this paper is the increased awareness of Charity and the Preference to search for Truth. We have also seen what fertile minds can put together, apparently from nothing. And finally, the willingness of some to step aside, foregoing their aspirations, that harmony and peace might prevail throughout Masonry and beyond the boundaries of religion and the affairs of State.

76 REPORT OF GRAND HISTORIAN 1986 Fraternally submitted Victor C. Slough Grand Historian

To the Most Excellent Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of Washington Most Excellent Grand High Priest, I thank you for the appointment as Grand Historian. The honor you have bestowed upon me is beyond description. It has been very challenging and most rewarding for me to serve the Grand Chapter in this capacity. When accepting such an appointment it becomes necessary for one to determine the extent of his duties and responsibilities. In doing so, I found that Webster defines a Historian as "an analyst" and a "writer of history". I read accounts written by scholars of Royal Arch Masonry; I researched Masonic books and read reports of Past Grand Historians. My efforts served to strengthen my belief that I would be inadequate to follow the examples of my worthy predecessors. I trust therefore, Most Excellent Grand High Priest, that this report will fulfill your expectations and merit the approval of this Grand Body. In the process of preparing this report one question was constantly in my thoughts. Now, as I look about me, that question is so vivid that I must ask; What does one say to an audience of men such as we have here today? Men whose distinguishing characteristics are the demonstrated ability and willingness to lead others. Men who have heard hundreds of Masonic speeches and reports. Men, who I believe, to be more proficient in our history than I am. It is an awesome task, my Companions, to make report to such a group. A task calling for the very utmost of one's ability to perform. To give a chronological account, at this time, of the history of Royal Arch Masonry would be very repetitious. Due to the recent publication of the "Keystone", a most interesting history of our Order that every companion should read. Also that the events of the past year are now recorded in the report of the Grand High Priest. I will therefore comment only on a few of what could be termed the unverified, contradictory, or oddities found in researching the history of Royal Arch Masonry and its symbols. To estimate ones own time and place in the world, there is no greater help than what is called the "Historic Sense". That sense which is the ability to set oneself back in other generations and judge past deeds and events in the light of the knowledge of those generations. It is not strange that events, customs, and traditions of past generations hold great charm for us, when we remember how much of our lives have been shaped by the influence of those past generations. Past Generations - in many respects unlike our own, and yet, so closely connected to ours by the bonds of brotherhood and history. When we value our history, treasure the memory of companions who have blessed it by their presence, and honor the past, it is a pledge to the future generations that will pass it on to them without blemish. We take pride in the fact that our Fraternity is an ancient one, and at the same time its principles and teachings are applicable in every generation and in every place. From the very beginning of man's struggle for knowledge, self-respect, and the recognition of his inalienable rights the fraternity has been his greatest ally. Far off in the dawning of Ancient History, tradition places the origin of Freemasonry. And in each succeeding generation scholars have attempted to draw aside the veil of darkness and separate the truth from fiction. Their efforts have served only to make the mysteries of our Order more mysterious, and thereby leaving open a door for study and research by all future generations. One must always remember that history has happened before it is recorded. We cannot term our actions here today as history, though they will be recorded as such tomorrow. For history to be authentic one must, if possible, separate the conflicting elements of the legendary or traditional portions from the historical. This task is left to each companion that he may, to his own satisfaction, succeed in composing, what is to him, a plausible romance of our Order. Where Royal Arch Masonry had its beginning is one of the great mysteries. There are as many theories about its origin as there are Masonic Historians. Each proved his theory by the discovery of certain facts he believed to be authentic. There is claim that its origin was in France; that it was first conferred on English Masons in Austria; that it was invented by the Ancients in England; and that it was originally a part of Symbolic Masonry as an additional ceremony. The origin of Royal Arch Masonry always draws inquiry as to which is senior, the continental or the English Royal Arch. That it was a part of Symbolic Masonry is present belief of informed scholars. The one facet of which all agree is that the true Symbolism in the origin of Royal Arch is based on the discovery of the 'Lost Word'.

77 One ancient manuscript tells us, "The Royal Arch Degree is considered more august, sublime, and important than those which preceded it, and is the very summit of perfection in 'Ancient Masonry'." There are many early recordings of Royal Arch Masonry being 'worked' without mention of what it was, how it was portrayed, or its origin. One such recording is from a Lodge in Ireland which states in 1743 a procession of members included "the Royal Arch carried by two Excellent Masons". Another recording in a book that was published in 1744 states that in York, England is held an "assembly of Master Masons under the title of Royal Arch." These two recordings bear out the theory that Royal Arch was a part of Symbolic Masonry, while at the same time, leaving unanswered the questions: What was the Royal Arch which was carried? A representation of an Arch? A Banner? A Keystone? And what was meant by Royal Arch being worked at York? Was it the conferring of the degree? These questions shall always remain unanswered but open for debate and speculation. We can, if we so desire, go back in time and connect Biblical events with portions of our work as Royal Arch Masons. Let us examine, for a moment, the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah, or the feast of dedication. It is an ancient celebration commemorating the triumph of man over tyranny, the return of the Jewish people from captivity and their dedication to rebuild the temple. We portray this event in the Royal Arch Degree. Our portrayal is such that one might be led to believe that Royal Arch originated at that period. The virtues we emphasize in the degree and are pledged to practice are identical to those set forth in the eight day celebration of Hanukkah: Freedom, Family, Study, Hope, Charity, Peace, Brotherhood, and Faith. In view of this similarity we need not be surprised to hear it said that our Fraternity has existed from time immemorial. As we find similarities between Biblical and Historical events and our ritual we also find many contradictions. The symbolism and origin of the Veils; the Banners; the Triple Tau; and the so called ancient side degrees, believed to have been a part of Royal Arch Masonry, can all be debated, pro and con, as to their direct connection with Royal Arch Masonry. In researching these subjects a companion must draw his own conclusion based upon his source of information. The ceremony of "Passing the Veils" was believed by some early scholars to have been in existence at the original tabernacle. There are no facts to support this theory and today it is classed as fiction. This ceremony was used in early Royal Arch Lodges until the formation of the Grand Lodge of England when it was discontinued except in the Province of Bristol. In Bristol it was practiced until about 1899 when the ceremony was revived throughout all Royal Arch Lodges or Chapters. At that time there were but three Veils used of Blue, Purple, and Crimson, placed across the anti-room, dividing the room into four equal portions. The Veils were closed and then drawn fully open after the candidate bad passed the Veil. It was many years later before the fourth Veil of White was added. The Veils of the original Tabernacle were of four colors, Blue, Purple, Scarlet, and White. These colors have been adopted as symbolic colors of Masonry. White, an emblem of innocence; Blue, of universal friendship, Scarlet, of zeal and fervency; and Purple of unity and concord. The Jews, according to Josephus, supposed the colors of the tabernacle Veils to represent the four elements. White, symbol of the earth; Blue, of the air; Purple, of the sea; and Scarlet, of fire. Banners used in Royal Arch Chapters upon which are the symbols of a Lion, Ox, Man, and an Eagle lead to great speculation. Much doubt arises regarding the relationship of these symbols to the colors of each Banner. The relationship becomes understandable when we realize that there were twelve tribes of Israel and each had its own Banner, Color, and Symbol. The four tribes named on our Banners were the four principal tribes; there were eight unnamed lesser tribes. The colors of our Banners are not necessarily the colors of the tribes they represent. It is believed that the colors used were taken from some of the lesser tribes to create a more beautiful and impressive ritual. One of the most intriguing and mystifying subjects of Royal Arch Masonry is the Triple Tau. Where did it originate? What is its symbolism? Is it ancient? Is it modern? The theories advanced regarding its origin and symbolism are so numerous and contradictory the student of Masonic History becomes astonished, startled, and confused by the conflicting views of this symbol. Time does not allow an explanation of each theory of its origin and symbolism. It may be an ancient, or a modern symbol, or both ancient and modern with many and varied meanings. All of which make it more valuable in the light of Masonry being universal and ageless. We find but one explanation of its design in the General Grand Chapter Proceedings of 1859 when, "A Royal Arch Apron was prescribed, consisting of Lambskin (silk or satin was prohibited) lined and bound with scarlet, on the flap to be a Triple Tau cross within a triangle, all within a circle. The Triple Tau to consist of three Tau crosses conjoined at their feet which constitutes the Royal Arch Badge".

78 Through the years numerous "side degrees" were developed and practiced as being part of Royal Arch Masonry. Some were conferred on only Mark Master Masons while others were restricted to Most Excellent Masons. Many of these degrees were invented in England about 1700 and the work of each supposedly alluded to Biblical or Historical events connected to Royal Arch Masonry. A few of these degrees, by various means found their way to America, where they were conferred on Royal Arch Masons within Royal Arch Chapters, in some cases the degrees were sold to candidates as being advanced degrees of the Royal Arch. Masonic scholars of the day deemed these degrees as "useless for and enlightenment of Masonry and only by a lengthy stretch of imagination could one fined a vague connection between their ritual and any historical event". Some of these degrees, though their rituals have changed over the years, are in existence today. With all the conflicting views of the symbolism, history, and origin of our order one is inclined to ask: Why so many areas of darkness? Why the vague references to our symbols? Why must we constantly search for the hidden mysteries? Is it because the Past Generations failed to keep records! Is it because Past Generations could not explain that which they did not understand? The answers to these questions like with our Past Generations. It is because of their knowledge and wisdom that the voids exist. They had the far-sighted ability to understand the nature of man. They knew that whatever is unknown or hidden creates an air of mystery and spurs the desire of man to seek an understanding of those mysteries. Our Past Generations knew that while the diversions of everyday living may distract the attention of many, the hunger in men's souls for the deeper values, the eternal truths cannot be satisfied by sports, is temperance, or such other delights. They knew there would always be men who will search for and find the deeper values of Freemasonry. It is therefore a challenge (set) for every High Priest, King and Scribe to become Chapter Historians; To research the history of Royal Arch and their chapters; To bring before the companions in their chapters the results of their efforts. In so doing the lives of the companions will be enriched by the knowledge learned from records of Past Generations. Throughout the history of nations and races there have been periods of repression. These periods are also found in the history of our Fraternity. It is written that the loftiest trees are most exposed to the storm; the proudest positions in life are the most pervious to the assaults of envy and malice. This being true, in the material operations of nature, and the existence of individuals, it can be traced in the history of all religions, philosophies, political systems, and our Fraternity. Every form of belief has been the target of the sharpest weapons of criticism; every theory of civil policy has met with deadly foes. It need not surprise us, under these circumstances, to learn that Freemasonry has been and still is being, received with dislike and antagonism by segments of our society. There are many periods in the history of our Fraternity when Lodges and chapters were forced into seclusion or to cease working for long periods of time. Popes issued their Bulls; Government powers their edicts; Politicians and Wars have all combined to crush Masonry out - to no avail. Examples of these periods would be, during the Plaque of early England when men were forbidden to meet in groups; Germany under Hitler; Spain under Franco; Cuba under Castro; Russia under the Communist, and America during the aftermath of the Morgan incident. A pleasing example of the survival of Masonry, both Symbolic and Royal Arch, would be that of Philanthropic Lodge of Marblehead Massachusetts. Its charter was surrendered, for safe keeping, and returned six times. This was due to wars, persecution and the anti-Masonic craze caused by the Morgan affairs. Yet the Lodge and Royal Arch survived in that city and on March 26th of this year the Lodge was 226 years old, a living tribute to the dedication of Past Generations of Masons. After each period of darkness in our history Masonry came back stronger and mightier than before and defied its enemies. Because the principles and precepts of our Order, the greatest gifts of mankind has prevailed over every form of suppression. To be strong and to prevent reoccurrence of those dark periods we must look to the past that we may foresee the future. We must have the same qualities Past Generations of Royal Arch Masons possessed which gave them the courage to withstand the barbs of their enemies; to stand tall and proud before all forms of intimidation. Those qualities every Mason is charged to practice and display before the world at large. Royal Arch Masonry offers nothing to the world unless it can be seen. Lamps do not talk, but they shine. A lighthouse sounds no drum, it beats no gong, and yet far over the waters its light is seen by the seafarer. If we let the light of our actions shine daily on our Royal Arch Masonry; let the sermon of our lives be illustrated by our conduct and it shall be illustrious, and then others shall see what Royal Arch Masonry to offer. These things we must do if we are to fulfill the expectation: Past Generations.

79 A legend pertaining to the wearing of the cap and gown at graduation appeared on the program of an Oregon university and bears repeating. The legend is that in ancient Greece a group of students had completed their studies and were about to receive diplomas. It was decreed by the headmaster that they should all be dressed alike. In simple sackcloth robes and carrying mortar boards. The head master explained that they were dressed as “Masons” because they would become leaders. Leaders of kingdoms, armies, churches, or whatever their choice should be. If the ancient Greeks believed Masons to be leaders they could only have acquired that belief from conduct observed being displayed by the Masons of that period. If the Masons of that day were judged to be leaders then we today should be leaders in Royal Arch Masonry. We are leaders. Volunteer leaders of an organization made up of volunteers. We were not led to the door of Freemasonry, we led ourselves there. Voluntarily we applied for admittance and we were accepted to become leaders. The demand of the hour is not for men who can lead others in our ritual, but for men who know what the ritual means and will lead others to display its meaning and teachings in their daily lives. This places a heavy burden on our ability as leaders, the leaders past generations hoped we would be. To build a temple, the foundation must first be laid before the walls can be raised, the roof built and the interior completed. The foundation is the most important part and it must be laid true, firm and plumb otherwise the structure will not be true and plumb. The foundation of our Order was laid firm and true by our ancient companions and to each succeeding generation has fallen the task of furthering its completion. Regardless of what future Historians may say about our generation we have a responsibility that we dare not evade. That of furthering the completion of our temples. We can fold our arms in despair or we can resolve to discharge our obligations in the same manner Royal Arch Masons have done in Past Generations. Our generation will be judged, not by what it has already done, but by what we as Royal Arch Masons will do in the declining years of our generation. We walk in the footprints made by past generations, who in their wisdom left a trail of prints easily followed. Those prints were not meant to lead us to our final destination, without some effort on our part, merely to point the way. Our generation must also leave prints for future generations to follow. The Supreme Master Architect drew designs on life's trestle board that we are to follow when displaying to the world true leadership. We must follow his plan that others may see that Grand Design in all its beauty and grandeur. When we have accomplished our task, and the history of our generation and our own lives have been recorded, we can expect to stand before the Grand High Priest of the Universe to receive his commendation: “Well done, good and faithful servant; Enter thou into eternal rest.” Then and then only will we know our Temple was erected firm, square and plumb and that we have left, without blemish, to future generations what past generations left to ours.

REPORT OF THE GRAND SECRETARY (Partial) 1987 Fraternally Submitted, Ramon M. Opsata Grand Treasurer/Secretary

1986 was the year for the chapters in this jurisdiction to report the names of their membership. I asked that addresses be included if possible, for the purpose of beginning a project of entering all our members and names and addresses into a computer system. The response of the secretaries was very gratifying, and the Grand Secretary's office is now in a position to begin work on this effort. The time and work required to look up names of our members in a manual filing system will be greatly simplified when everyone is in the computer system. While it is a time-consuming job for the chapter secretaries to list all the names of their members every five years, there are other benefits. The annual returns showed that 14 chapters had to revise their total number of members due to errors in previous years, and in most cases, they found they had been paying for members who were deceased or previously dropped. Considering some statistics, the Abstract of Annual Returns will show that Affiliations and Reinstatements were nearly equal to Demits. Our losses from Non Payment of Dues (NPD) accounted for the majority of the decrease in total membership. If we could solve this one problem our total number of members would be increasing.

80 REPORT OF THE GRAND HISTORIAN (Partial) 1987 Roland Van Luven, Grand Historian (1986-1987)

Specific Concerns of the Members 1. Competition to meeting attendance — are often theaters, radio, television, sports, work, health clubs, health conditioning, other fraternal lodges, clubs. 2. Membership — What can the members do? What can the Chapter do? What can Grand Chapter do? What can Officers do? 3. Keeping functional — What can members do? What can Chapters do? What can Grand Chapters do? What can Officers do?

Some members like to be assigned, some members like to be told what to do, and some members like to volunteer if they know areas of need. One suggestion in this area was "Rally our available manpower (in York Rite) for functions, and assign our experts, even non-member experts (as volunteers), for certain activities."

General Thoughts, Questions or Suggestions of Members Why do we overlook the experts or specialists in our membership or outside the membership to advise or help us? It might help to show them we care and want to be progressive. It's possible they could even become members or more active members. How about the leaders of various local religious denominations (Ministers, Rabbis, Preachers, Clergy, etc.)? Invite them to our functions to speak, advise us or participate. They too may wish to become members or at least have better feelings about us! Why don't we on occasion, honor the experts and good people in our neighborhoods (through non- members) for the good things they do? They might become members! Good ones — the best. Why are we not as proud of our various musicians as we should be? do we invite them to special social functions? Do we invite their families at times? Some of the family members may also be musicians. It's possible they could play or participate together at times. Do we honor them when they bless us with their music? Why don't we honor experts or specialists from our own homes — wives, children, grandparents who help us? Why don't we honor the experts from our Lodge of Research, especially those working with the "College of Masonology? (Editor’s Note i.e., The Philalethes) Some of them are Royal Arch Masons!

Comments of the 'Younger Members When questioning the repetition in the ritual, we are told that it is to help us become more familiar with the work. Our question is, why not cut out the repetition and shorten the length of the meeting? Coming back to each meeting will replace the unnecessary repetition. It will also serve to entourage our returning to become familiar with the opening, the degree work, and the closing. The extensive introductions at times is overdone. It appears to only be massaging the ego for some dignitaries. Some of them say they could care less!

Urgent Concern of the Members Shouldn't we have a statewide Membership Drive? There is concern and interest. This thinking and indicated desire could be the nucleus for a committee or commission to start a plan and see it through.

81 REPORT OF THE GRAND HIGH PRIEST (Partial) 1988 MEC Donald D. McCune

This year has been one of extreme pleasure and some disappointments. I made an official visit to every district in the state and many individual Chapters, some many times. Time and distance precluded visiting all of them. The official visits were most rewarding. Mrs. McCune and I were received with the warm hand of friendship and dignity. There was always a warm dinner and often entertainment for the ladies. I was especially impressed by the attendance of both the Grand Chapter officers and the Companions. I found that some of the districts were progressing in membership, activities and attendance while some where just the opposite. The conclusion was leadership and apathy. Those Chapters that are progressing have good leaders who inspire enthusiasm in their members while those declining Chapters seemed content to sit back and watch the demise without individual effort. Now for the Triennial Session in Kissimmee, Florida - First I want to thank this Grand Chapter for the $1130.00 you contributed toward the trip. I attended every minute of the meetings, Jeanie and I attended every breakfast, lunch and banquet that both the Royal Arch and Council had to offer. We met a few fine people at the luncheons and banquet, people whom we will probably never see again. I would like to have met with the other Grand High Priests that were there, but there were no arrangements made for such a meeting and no opportunity to do so. The meeting went something like this: Opening the meeting, a very impressive flag ceremony, one to two hours of introductions, some reports of the General Grand Officers and Secretary, two speeches about how great we are and patting each other on the back, Election of Officers and Installation. You paid $1,130.00 for this that could have been spent for many more worthwhile projects in our own Grand Jurisdiction. In my estimation, Companions, this is a big waste of money. Annually the General Grand Chapter holds what is called the Northwest Conference in Boise, Idaho. This conference meeting takes three days, two traveling and one day meeting and an evening banquet. The meetings consist of the representatives of each area generally speaking on their problems and basically they are the same as ours, but there has never been anything constructive presented. Masonically speaking, I received nothing to contribute to you out of either of these meetings. Another distressful point is the loss of membership in our own jurisdiction. Of course, if we are to survive we must, I repeat, we must have new members. This has been stressed many times in your Chapters and you must take heed. We have a loss this year of 110 members and this is the shocking part — 89 of the 110 are NPD's and demits. Companions, this is appalling. We can't, of course, control our losses by death but we can and must control our other losses. May I toss out a suggestion for your thought and consideration? When a Companion has been a member of a Chapter for ten years, the Chapter would buy and pay for a life membership in his name. There would be no NPDs and only on rare occasions a demit. Could this possibly be some of the answer to our decline in membership and possibly our salvation? Consider it. I am sad to report that 129 Companions did not answer the roll call. Two of our deaths were Past Grand High Priests; namely, MEC Kenneth N. Carmody, GHP in 1957 and MEC Anton L. Marik, GHP in 1969. Appropriate obituaries will be given later in the session. In conclusion, I have enjoyed this year and I thank you for the opportunity to serve as your Grand High Priest. It has been a highlight in my lifetime. I have performed to the best of my ability and pray that it has been to your satisfaction.

82 REPORT OF THE GRAND SECRETARY (Partial) 1988 Raymon M. Opsata, Grand Secretary

Much work has been done by the Constituent Chapters during 1987, as evidenced by the gains in the Annual Returns. Chapters with at least a 10% gain were Yakima #21, and Goldendale #36. For the first time, we are now reporting Chapters with a gain of at least 5% over their previous year membership. Aside from the two noted above, Chapters reporting over 5% gain are Seattle #3, Vancouver #9, Ellensburg #11, Robert B. Palmer #46 and Overlake #67. Congratulations to all of you. Last year I reported to you that the Grand Secretary would begin entering the names of all Royal Arch Masons in Washington into a data base. I asked that the Chapter Secretaries provide addresses and phone numbers if possible. I am pleased to report that many did provide that information along with their five-year member lists that were due in 1986. All of the member names, and additional information that was provided is now in the computer and available to the Chapters on request. There are three exceptions: Sprague #6, Issaquah #39, and Triple Tau #66 did not comply with the requirement to provide members lists and therefore have no current records. The financial records of Grand Chapter are now in the computer on a spreadsheet. On the advice of your Finance Committee, I still have some minor changes to make on records keeping. The practice of producing a monthly record of receipts and disbursements which was introduced last year has proven to be very helpful in tracking our money.

REPORT OF THE GRAND SECRETARY 1990 Respectfully submitted, Ramon M. Opsata Grand Treasurer/Secretary

The Abstract of Annual Returns, published in its entirety elsewhere in the Proceedings, shows same interesting numbers. Throughout the jurisdiction there were only 108 candidates exalted. This is an average of just over two for each chapter, and not nearly enough to sustain ourselves. Only one chapter, Ballard No. 26, had a net gain of 10%; it is interesting to note that the gain was the result of a large number of affiliations. From all appearances we are simply not bringing in enough new members. The Annual Returns are coming in later each year and this year was the worst in memory for tardiness. Since part of the problem may be in the very old form we are using for reports, I have asked two Companions to assist me in determining if we can simplify the form; VEC Bill Wehneyer and EC Norm Watts will work with me during the summer toward making the form easier and also to make the procedures simpler. If anyone would like to provide input to this project, please contactany of the three of us with you ideas. The Report of the Committee on Finance contains complete information on the financial data of Grand Chapter. The effort to get all membership lists of the chapters into the Grand Secretary computer is continuing, although not as rapidly as originally planned. Your Grand Secretary recently retired from active employment and should have more time to devote to this important project. Several chapters have taken advantage of having addresses in the computer by having me produce mailing labels for them. I want to thank the many companions who have offered suggestions and assistance to this office during the course of the year. It is your suggestions that make it possible for me to serve your needs most effectively. The Grand Secretary Secretary (Audrey) continues to spend most of her time in the office helping with all the many little things that come up. Without her help in keeping up with the work this would be a far more difficult job. I want to say a great big "thank you" for all the time and effort she puts in to help keep everything going well. I want to express particular appreciation to EC Norm Watts for assistance both before and during Grand Chapter. A large measure of the success of this Grand Convocation is because of his willingness to help out with the many small details, and the time he devotes in keeping things orderly.

83 REPORT OF GRAND HISTORIAN 1990 Herman H. Miller (60) Grand Historian

A chapter of Royal Arch Mason's is governed by three men, called the Grand Council of a chapter. It is composed of a High Priest King - Scribe; representing three Biblical character's namely Jeshua or Joshua, Zerubbabel and Haggai: who comprised the first grand council and held their meetings in a Tabernacle. Let us first talk about the high priest or Jeshua, his title in the chapter is Excellent. He was the first High Priest of the Jews after their return from Babylonish captivity. He was High Priest by lineal decent from the Pontifical Family, he was the son of Josadek, grandson of Seriah, who was High Priest when the Caldean destroyed the Temple. This important office was instituted by Moses after the completion of the directions for directing the Tabernacle and was restricted to Aaron and his descendants and was so confined until the time of the Asmoncon Dynasty when it passed into the family Judas Maccabeus. The High Priest was at the head not only of the Ecclesiastical but of Civil affairs, presiding in the Sanhedrin,-- the highest Tribunal among the Jews which consisted of seventy two persons, besides the High Priest and was instituted on the occasion of a rebellion of the Israelites in the wilderness of which most of the members were Levites. He also judged the people, superintended the building of the Temple. Directed the mode of worship and preserved the building from the Profane. He was inducted into his office by Anointment and Sacrifices and was invested with a peculiar dress; consisting of eight parts, namely the breastplate, Ephod (which is without sleeves and divided below the arm pits into halves one falling before and one falling behind, reaching to the middle of the thighs) the robe of the skirt, the miter and coat. The miter teaches his duty to God and the dignity of his Office - the Breastplate his responsibility to Laws and Ordinances of the Institution, that the Honor and Interest of his Chapter and Companions should always be near his heart, the robe, the different graces and virtues which are symbolized by the various colors of which it is composed: explained in our veils, Blue teaches Fidelity, Brotherly Love and Benevolence - Purple denoting Unity and Intelligence, - Red, Fervency and Zeal with Peace and Harmony, - White teaches Purity of Life and Rectitude of Conduct, with attachment to each other and service to Humanity. Endowed, anointed and clothed, the High Priest is not only an Emblem of power - intelligence - humility - but a leader, an example and influence which his companions can follow without hesitation. Now the King or Zerubbabel: He was the Prince or Governor of Judah. After the rebuilding of the second Temple the government of the Jews was administered by the High Priests who were Vice Regents of the Kings of Persia to whom they paid tribute, this is the reason that the High Priest is the presiding officer and the King only the subordinate. Zerubbabel, who in the book of Ezra is called Shesh-Bazzar, The Prince of Judah was the grandson of the King Jehoachin (Je-Hota-Chin) who had been deposed by Nebuchadnezzar (Nebu-Chad-Nez-Or) and carried as a captive to Babylon. In Him therefore was vested the Regal authority, and on him as such the Command of the returning captives was bestowed by Cyrus, who on that occasion presented him his Grandfather's sword.

84 By permission King Cyrus, the Jewish Subject, the Tribes of Judah and Benjamin with Priests and Levites assembled and prepared to return to Jerusalem, for the purpose of rebuilding the Temple. Some few from the other Tribes, whose love of their Country and its Ancient Worship had not been obliterated by the luxuries of the Babylonian Court., united with the followers of Zerubbabel and accompanied him to Jerusalem. The greater number however, remained: only 42360 Israelites exclusive of servants and slaves went with Zerubbabel out of whom he selected 7000 of the valiant who he placed as an advance guard at the head of the people. King Cyrus also restored to the Jews 5400 Sacred Vessels. Due to this great wealth their journey was wrought with danger. At the river Euphrates they were attacked by the Assyrians but under the Generalship of Zerubbabel the Assyrians were defeated and after a March of four months they arrived at their destination (on) June 22, 535 B. C. We learn from our degrees how the rubbish of the old Temple was removed and the new Temple finished, and all the priceless Vessels, Ark and Keystone came to their final resting place. Zerubbabel, was a good friend of King Cyrus in their youth so when Cyrus ascended the throne, Zerubbabel decided to go see him, asking for help against those enemies who were hindering the Jews in the rebuilding of the Temple. After many hardships and allowing himself to be captured and taken before King Cyrus as a spy he pleaded his case. Cyrus agreed to help if Zerubbabel would give him the secrets of Freemasonry; Zerubbabel flatly refused, willing to die before betraying his trust. This virtue was applauded by Cyrus, who gave a great feast. At which he asked three questions of his Courtiers whether the power of wine, women or King was the strongest. When Zerubbabel was called on, he declared that the power of wine and the King might be great, that of women greater, but above all things Truth bore the victory. The King being greatly impressed granted Zerubbabel his wishes and Zerubbabel was sent home laden with food and honors, under conduct of an escort. From then on the work of the Temple was completed as already stated. To us the King represents wisdom and courage. Constancy and steadfastness in our belief, loyal to our teachings and willing to aid and assist in helping and completing the inner Temple of Mankind. Now for the Scribe or Haggai - Haggai was born in Babylon captivity and being a young man at the time of the liberation by Cyrus, he came to Jerusalem in company with Joshua and Zerubbabel to aid in the rebuilding of the Temple. Haggai urged Darius to help and assist in the work and by his courage and patriotism he inspired the workers in their efforts. Haggai was the Kings Secretary of State and the Prophet, he was a kind of Military Secretary, he was a learned man and Doctor of the Laws, who expounded them to the people, he registered allicts (EDITOR: helots ?) and degrees. He was a member of the Great Synod, who were Literary Men who occupied themselves in the preservation of the Letter of the Scripture and the Development of its Spirit. So we must work uprightly in our station in Life admonishing and animating our companions to Fidelity and Industry while at Labor and to Temperance and Moderation while at refreshments, recording in our Hearts their Good Deeds, forgiving their Errors, always dispensing true Masonic Light and Knowledge, realizing all MEN are our Brothers and entitled to every consideration and respect. I think that we are losing our Brotherly Love and Friendship; I think we should restore this to our being.

85 REPORT OF THE GRAND SECRETARY 1991 Respectfully submitted, Ramon M. Opsata Grand Treasurer/Secretary

This latest Capitular year has again brought a new set of challenges, and many significant events, both anticipated and a few surprises. Among the surprises was the poor state of membership records in nearly half of our Chapters. Over the past four years I have been entering membership lists of the individual chapters into the computer. Anticipating that next year every chapter will be required to file a complete list of members, I found that 19 Chapters had significant differences between the number of members reported and the number actually on the rolls. At this time all of the problems are resolved. An analysis of the Abstract of Annual Returns, which will be published in the Statistics portion of the Proceedings, also contains some surprises. Twenty-one of our Chapters did not exalt any candidates. Of the 45 Chapters, only seven showed a net gain in members. Top honors in percentage gain goes to Goldendale 36 with 8 candidates exalted, and Overlake 67 who exalted 4 new members and took in 43 more as a result of the merger with Ivanhoe 58. Honors for the most number of new members exalted goes to Edmonds 64 with 10. The total loss for the year was Ill. While this loss is less than the previous year, there is much room for improvement. It seems to me that if every Chapter would pre-schedule degree work at least twice a year, then we would soon find ourselves with many new members. You will see from the financial reports (published with the Committee Reports) that we have made a change in our savings accounts, moving our funds from a number of small passbook accounts to the Dean Witter/Sears Liquid Asset Fund. The transition has caused many headaches in accounting for money transfers between our various funds and accounts, but with the assistance of the Finance Committee, and particularly VEC Bob Payne, it is all under control and should be much simpler next year. Many thanks to EC Norm Watts, the Assistant Grand Secretary. He helped many hours on the Annual Reports, and on the forms revision project, as well as here at the Sessions. And special appreciation also goes to the live-in Secretary, Audrey. After she spent most of the winter in Arizona, it only took her about three weeks to get all the records up-dated and current. One final item; if you should call the office and get the answering machine, please leave a message. I do return all calls, and if you don't leave a message I certainly can't help you.

REPORT OF THE GRAND HIGH PRIEST (Partial) 1992 JAMES S. STOAKES Grand High Priest This year we have had the problem of MONEY. All of us are aware of the continuing increase in the cost of all materials and services. A very pertinent one is postage--we are all directly involved with it and it is a common example of all our other costs. During the past several years the Grand Chapter has had expenses which exceed the income. It is obvious that the problem cannot continue indefinitely. This year the Officers, Finance Committee, Board of General Purposes and Jurisprudence Committee have had two meetings to address the problem and the Finance Committee's report will provide some methods for adjusting our budget. I hope that we will all recognize that there are no "free lunches" and give each suggestion due consideration. This year I will attempt to prove that the Grand Chapter can achieve the discharoe of its duties to the Companions in a single day. The cooperation of each of us in listening carefully and limiting our discussion of items will be necessary to achieve this goal. Accordingly I will attempt to hold discussion to two statements for and two against when an item of business is in the discussion stage. Please believe me, it is not an attempt to re- strict opinions but instead to avoid repetition and still reach a mutually agreeable conclusion.

86 REPORT OF THE DEPUTY GRAND HIGH PRIEST (Partial) 1992 To the Most Excellent Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Washington Fraternally submitted, Albert W. Shaw Deputy Grand High Priest

As Chairman of the Membership Committee I see no miracle which will turn our Chapters around in membership other than PRIDE, HARD WORK and PLANNING. Over the years I have heard many proposed ideas most of which were nothing more than just ideas, which sounded good, but produced little results. My personal belief is we must have viable Chapters that are proficient in the work. The work of a Chapter is not just opening, doing the usual business and then closing. It also includes having interesting programs along with doing degree work in the Chapters and not taking all candidates out to Festivals. Presently there are very few Chapters capable of performing any degree work and at the present rate, shortly we won't even find degree teams to do the work at our Festivals. This must change if we are to survive in Royal Arch Masonry. Even though a Chapter cannot do all the degrees they could work with the other Chapters in the District, which will also promote visitations and fellowship plus give the new members a chance to participate in the degrees. I cannot blame any new member that comes to a Chapter after joining and finds uninteresting meetings and deplorable work being performed and then never returns. After all his time is valuable and his first impression will determine if he attends our meetings or not. Also if we are not personally proud of our Royal Arch Chapter will we ever ask anyone to join? I doubt not. There is no easy way to make a Chapter succeed other than hard work and planning ahead. If we do not have a plan, then we are really planning on failing.

REPORT OF THE GRAND SECRETARY (Partial) 1992 Ramon Opsata, Secretary/Treasurer

1991 was the 39th consecutive year where members lost exceeded members gained in this Grand Jurisdiction. Our numbers have steadily diminished since 1952 from 9,779 to our current total of 3,202. Elmont Chapter No. 13 and Yakima Chapter No. 21 both had a net gain in members exceeding 10%. While this is in part due to the merger of Sunnyside 35 into Yakima, and Olympia 7 into Elmont, it must be pointed out that Yakima 21 conferred degrees on more candidates than any other chapter in the state. Elmont was close behind, being third in the jurisdiction for number of candidates exalted. Finances remain a major challenge. The Finance Committee will report fully on our status in their report, and complete records of receipts and disbursements will be printed in the Proceedings. Our net loss for the fiscal year was $1,295.31, far less than originally anticipated, but a loss nonetheless. Special appreciation goes to my wife Audrey for her long hours in the office, answering phone calls, and her many trips to the Post Office. Many thanks and appreciation also go to EC Bob Payne of the Finance Committee, without whose expertise, guidance and assistance the reporting of the Grand Chapter finances would have been a nearly insurmountable task.

87 REPORT OF THE GRAND HIGH PRIEST (Partial) 1993 Fraternally submitted, Albert W. Shaw Grand High Priest

I find we must instill pride in our Chapters if we are going to make the Royal Arch survive into the future and be a viable organization. Also with the continuing loss of members, we must look closely at our finances being sure we do not raise per-capita above the ability of the Chapters to survive. After all if there are no Chapters there will be no Grand Chapter. I believe special recognition should be made of the Companions of Fellowship Chapter No. 61 for their outstanding work at the York Rite Reception for the Most Worshipful Grand Master. If the Chapters in this State took on the "can do attitude" as these Companions have, Royal Arch Masonry would never have to worry about surviving. Also just to prove Royal Arch Masonry can have outstanding convocations I believe I would be amiss not to mention the outstanding Joint Convocation between Issaquah Chapter No. 39 and Fall City Chapter No. 54 on March 9. There were 87 Companions, including nine Candidates for the Royal Arch Degree and plus 16 ladies present. It was a very memorable evening for all who attended. As per the requirement all recommendations of the Grand High Priest must be in the form of Resolutions and this I have done. It is my hope you will consider each of the Resolutions on their own merit and not an attempt on my part to make a sweeping change in Grand Chapter. I firmly believe each one is needed, otherwise I would not have submitted them. Also though I did not appoint a Code Committee to review, re-categorize and update the Grand Chapter Code and Index and realizing the time it would take to properly perform this task, as it should be done, it is my recommendation the next Grand High Priest appoint a committee for the task. As no Companion should ever accept any Masonic office if they do not have the entire support of their family, I wish to thank my wife, Jo Ann, for her encouragement and traveling far and wide with me for many years. Companions I sure never dreamed the last part of my year as Grand High Priest would end as it has with a stay in the hospital and on a liquid diet. It seems everything will work itself out just fine and I wish to thank the Companions for their prayers and get well cards. As it will soon be time to pass the gavel of authority to another, I offer my successor my entire support. There is still such work to be done, therefore, Companions, let us labor for the benefit of all Masonry in general, But continue to improve and support Capitular Masonry.

REPORT OF THE DEPUTY GRAND HIGH PRIEST (Partial) 1993 Fraternally Submitted Thurston H. Dickason

Acceptance of the monthly news letter - "Focus” - has been between medium and fair. The permission of the Grand High Priest to secure a non-profit organization mail permit permitted the opportunity to provide wider circulation to each Chapter, but we still lack input from many of the Chapters as to their activities. We would like to make this a publication blanketing all Royal Arch exertions within the state. I should point out "Focus" is published and mailed at no cost to Grand Chapter.

88 REPORT OF THE GRAND SECRETARY (Partial) 1993 Fraternally submitted, Ramon M. Opsata, Grand Secretary

Complete statistics from the Annual Returns will be printed in the Proceedings. Summarizing some of the detail is a grim task. Of the 42 chapters reporting in the jurisdiction, 21 took in no new members. An additional 13 took in one (1) new member, leaving only 8 of the 42 reporting who exalted more than one new companion during the year. One statistic that is difficult to derive from our annual report is who did, and who did not confer any degrees during the year. Should I put that question on the form? Except for Reinstatements (8), the number exalted (38) is the smallest number among the statistics. Demits were 73, NPD was 59, deaths were 126, leaving us with a total including 50 year members (59) and indigents (109), of 3,043. We now have 2,875 dues paying members. How small can we get? I have had considerable assistance this year while out of state. most notably from the Assistant Grand Secretary Norm Watts; having no budget for any office help, the aid, assistance, and many long hours of slaving over a hot computer by my wife Audrey is of immeasurable help to me and to this Grand Chapter.

REPORT OF THE GRAND HIGH PRIEST (Partial) 1994 Fraternally Submitted Thurston H. Dickason

Like so many of those who preceded me in this Office. I am deeply concerned with the steady decline in membership in this Grand Chapter. I am equally or more concerned with the lack of interest by many of our Companions who fail to attend Chapter convocations, and further by the number of Demits and NPD's reported in prior years. I was so disturbed, I checked the Proceedings of the past three years, and found that in 1990, there were 29 Demits issued, and 84 companions dropped as NPD. In 1991, 37 Demits were issued and 58 dropped for NPD, and in 1992, 31 Demitted, and 59 were dropped for NPD. In three years we have lost 298 Companions, not from death over which we have no control but we have lost those who made their own individual decisions to leave us, for whatever reason. The year 2000 is only six years away. The end of the millennium may be more of psychological milestone than a meaningful measure of an era, but it presents a useful opportunity for us to look to the future, to attempt to predict what the future holds for Royal Arch Masonry. The need for the elective officers to learn, and then to teach the history, philosophy and brotherhood of Royal Arch Masonry is their directive upon election. We cannot criticize the Symbolic Lodge for failing to supply us members for we, you and I, are the Symbolic Lodge. The fault will be ours - ours for failing to provide the leadership and education necessary. Thus, it is up to us, you and me, to develop the constructive leaders we need for tomorrow. THE MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE Would you agree with me that the Membership Committee, Chaired by the Deputy Grand High Priest, is perhaps the most important committee we have in this Grand Chapter? That each Chartered Chapter should have an established Membership Committee whose purpose would be to promote Royal Arch Masonry and solicit new members? Attention to this by the Chapters would improve their recruitment efforts, and assist in the retention of those Companions who are delinquent in their dues. A committee is no guarantee of success, unless it is very active, but certainly it is not possible to have an active committee if one is not appointed. The recurring question heard throughout our Fraternity is - "How can we increase our membership? Sometimes I think we are focusing on the wrong issue. Increasing membership should be a natural by-product of a yet even more important issue.That of allowing and encouraging our new and enthusiastic Companions to grow and mature Masonically. Far too often we tend to become alarmed when a new Companion demonstrates

89 a unique thirst for Masonic knowledge. To ensure survival of the Royal Arch, we must recognize and capitalize on the talented Companions we already have irrespective on how long they have been a Royal Arch Mason. If a man displays a potential for leadership, we must exploit that potential for his benefit and the good of the order. THE FOCUS One of the many delights I have had during the past four years was the creation and publication of the "FOCUS". This monthly publication was produced to bring information to everyone in this Jurisdiction what was occurring in Royal Arch Masonry. It was not established to be in conflict with any other publication, nor has it been. Many of our problems are caused by a failure to communicate. The lack of communication is the number one problem in every business and organization, yet we seem to take comfort in our poor communications. If we do not make the effort to inform the Companions of what is happening within the State, then we truly will be a -secret- organization. If communicating is true in business, then why isn't it also true for Royal Arch Masonry? The Grand Chapter has a non-profit organization mailing permit so the cost of mailing just one copy each month is 11.3c under the current postal regulations. However, due to costs, the "FOCUS", has been mailed to only the Grand Chapter Officers', and the High Priest. King, Scribe and Secretary of each Chapter. "FOCUS" has also been the vehicle which provides the Companions with the Grand High Priest's message each month. It has been well received and I would hope that it has a future in this Grand Chapter.

REPORT OF THE GRAND SECRETARY (Partial) 1995 Albert W. Shaw, Grand Secretary

The Office of the Grand Secretary was moved and at the present time all property belonging to the Grand Chapter is now stored in my home. As this is the case and there is no outside storage being rented I did not feel it was proper to accept any allowance for rent and storage, which will thus save Grand Chapter $1,200.00 per year. Also after consulting with the Dais Officers it was agreed it was best to dispose of the Keystones and Coins from the Centennial of Grand Chapter as it was now eleven years hence. This has at the present time resulted in a return to Grand Chapter of over $700.00 and greatly reduced the required storage space. Resolution 94-3 changes the Quorum from nine Royal Arch Masons to six. The membership statistics compiled from the Annual Returns show a total loss of 165 members during the year. This is really not very surprising as we must now see the results of the large number of new members taken in during the period of 1944 to 1950. An example is this year 21 Fifty Year Certificates were issued compared with 11 in 1993 and only 4 the previous year. Our membership is now at 2800 members of which there are 2638 dues paying members. During the year only Walla Walla Chapter No. 1, Anacortes Chapter No. 59 and Triple Tau Chapter No. 66 showed a gain in members. The other thirty eight had losses or stayed the same. Walla Walla Chapter No. 1 will receive a 10% gain certificate and are to be congratulated. We increased per capita to $4.00 last May, which is not payable until this years Annual Returns are received after January 1, 1996. It should be remembered every loss of 150 members is a loss of $600.00 per year to Grand Chapter income. In other words it was not an increase of $2,800.00 as some thought, but less than $1,600.00 because it will be collected on over 300 less members. We must either hold down our expenses or raise the per capita every four years or less by $1.00. I know many of the Companions believe once we start something we must continue doing it regardless of the cost or the result. My personal opinion is there may just be a few things we can do without and still not hurt the operation of Grand Chapter. I have endeavored to make some changes in the Proceedings by adding phone numbers and addresses for all Grand Officers, Committee men, Past Grand High Priests and the High Priest, King, Scribe and Secretary of every Chapter. If we are going to print Proceedings it is my belief they should be used for more than collecting dust on the shelf. This is why I will continue to endeavor to publish and distribute them promptly after Grand Chapter, as an old Proceeding has very little use. However, if printing costs and postage continue to rise rapidly, we may have to consider a different approach other than printing them every year.

90 REPORT OF THE GRAND SECRETARY (Partial) 1996 Albert W. Shaw Grand Secretary

The membership statistics compiled from the Annual Returns show a total loss of 112 members during the year. This is really not very surprising as we must continue to see the results of the large number of new members taken in during the period of 1944 to 1950. An example this year we gave out 48 Fifty Year Certificates compared with 21 in 1994, 11 in 1993 and only 4 the previous year. Our membership is now at 2688 members of which there are 2523 dues paying members. I have estimated our income to be on only 2400 dues paying members that per capita will be collected on at the end of this year. We increased per capita to $4.45 last May, by adding the General Grand Chapter assessment in addition to our $4.00 assessment, which was nearly a fifty percent increase over the previous year. This has increased our income for the present, however, with the continuing drop in membership it will only be a short cure. Some of the Chapters find paying the increase is difficult, together with their increases in rent, postage , etc. as their own membership drops. It should be remembered every loss of 150 members is a loss of nearly $700.00 per year to Grand Chapter. My personal opinion continues to be, there may just be a few things we can do without and still not hurt the operation of Grand Chapter. During the year Yakima Chapter No. 21, Sunset Chapter No. 23, Olympus Chapter No. 27, Carnation Chapter No. 29, Pasco Chapter No. 33 and Longview Chapter No. 55 showed a gain in members. The other thirty three had losses or stayed the same. Plates will be presented to those Chapters that exalted greater than 5% of their total membership at the beginning of the year for 1994 and 1995. I missed ordering them last year. Companions, we were fortunate in printing our Proceedings and mailing them this past year. Even though the cost of printing and postage went up, by having the printer do both the Grand Chapter and Grand Council Proceedings at the same it resulted in quite a savings. Also I was able to mail many jointly which resulted in nearly the same amount of postage as the year before.

REPORT OF THE GRAND HIGH PRIEST (Partial) 1997 Charles P. Towne Grand High Priest

RECOMMENDATIONS Each year the Grand High Priest tries to come up with an idea that will help improve the Grand Chapter and all Royal Arch within this jurisdiction. We, in the York Rite, had been approached by several to allow what was called a mini-festival and confer all the degrees in the York Rite in one day. To the presiding officers of the York Rite Bodies, it did sound good, so we gave it a try. The first try, in Yakima, gave us 26 new members. We did some checking and several of the other jurisdictions were doing one day festivals with some success. In checking further we find that several Grand Lodges are conferring degrees at festivals with great success. We therefore approved all requests for mini-festivals. This year, in checking the loss and gain columns, we have lost a total of 87. My Companions, I believe that this is due to the Mini Festivals and I, for one, hope we continue this. I have had a few complaints that it did not comply with our code. I asked our Grand Lecturer to come up with a resolution to correct this. However after some changes to the original resolution it was sent to the Grand Secretary after the deadline for filing resolutions and he did not accept it. My fault. It was felt by all, including the Jurisprudence Committee that it should be heard. Please listen and you be the judge. It will be presented as an emergent resolution later today. My last recommendation is that the presiding Grand High Priest be given an extra 30 days to get these recommendations in because of the extensive requirements of his office.

91 REPORT OF THE GRAND SECRETARY (Partial) 1997 Albert W. Shaw Grand Secretary

Grand Chapter was Incorporated as a Washington Non Profit corporation as voted by Grand Chapter in 1996 on September 12, 1996. Total cost $30.00. Companions during the Triennial on November 3-6, 1996 at Ashville, North Carolina of the General Grand Chapter I carried the proxies for Washington and therefore represented our Grand Chapter. I received $981.70 from the Triennial Fund and as the Grand Chapter did not have sufficient funds in the Regalia Fund to purchase new aprons and jewels for the Grand Line Officers, I donated the same to the Regalia Fund to make it possible. There was quite a discussion on Incorporating to limit liability and nothing was said to make me believe the Grand Chapter of Washington was in error to do so. The membership statistics compiled from the Annual Returns show a total loss of 87 members during the year. This is really not very surprising as we must continue to see the results of the large number of new members taken in during the period of 1944 to 1950. An example this year we gave out 38 Fifty Year Certificates compared with 48 in 1995, 21 in 1994, 11 in 1993 and only 4 the previous year. Let’s hope this is a start of a downward trend of issuing 50 Year Pins and Certificates. Our membership is now at 2601 members of which there are 2408 dues paying members. This means we now have 193 not paying dues or per capita. During the year Vancouver Chapter No. 9, Yakima Chapter No. 21, Okanogan Valley Chapter No. 41, Falls City Chapter No. 54, Longview Chapter No. 55, Fellowship Chapter No. 61 and Triple Tau Chapter No. 66 showed a gain in members. The other thirty one Chapters had losses or stayed the same.

REPORT OF THE GRAND SECRETARY (Partial) 1998 Respectfully submitted, T. H. Dickason Acting Grand Secretary

There are many, many things in this life that I have enjoyed. My lovely Wife Joyce, my children, my extended family. But I have particularly enjoyed my Masonic Fellowship, the many Brothers, Companions and friends I have made over the years. I have truly enjoyed my Masonry. But today, I must confess to you that I am deeply sorrowful. I did not desire this position, but felt that I must answer your request Most Excellent Sir, and serve this Grand Chapter to the best of my ability as Acting Grand Secretary. When JoAnn (Shaw) called me early in the morning on that dreary day in January, I was overwhelmed with emotion. JoAnn was aware as was Albert that I was leaving in just a few hours for my last overseas journey for my company. To learn that Albert had passed this life was unbearable for me. I was shattered. Shattered to the point that I was severely depressed. You see, Albert and I shared a very troublesome disease. It is called Cancer! That dreaded word that influences many of us as to our future endeavors. While mine is in remission, Albert's was not. At the last Grand Sessions, Albert and I together opted out of the Order of High Priesthood due to our individual illness. He spoke eloquently about our efforts and our futures, but advised all in attendance that it would be best for the Grand Chapter and all concerned, if others in the line would assume those positions of responsibility and relieve us of the obligations required in our stations. This was done. Albert Shaw was very active in many areas of Freemasonry in this Grand Jurisdiction. He was literally consumed and immersed in our Gentle Fraternity. He was strong willed and had his own opinions on how things should be done, but he was completely and totally unselfishly devoted to this Craft of ours. We are all greatly privileged to have had him in our midst during his short life, we will miss him. I will miss him, for I lost a true Brother and a genuine Friend. This Grand Chapter is better for the efforts and contributions of my dear friend, Albert Warren Shaw.

92 With this in mind, I hereby submit my Annual Report as Acting Grand Secretary for 1997 1998. Unfinished Business: Resolution 97-1 R Grand High Priest Recommendation pertaining to conferring Degrees at One Day Festivals. Resolution 97-2R Grand High Priest Recommendation pertaining to Recommendations of presiding Grand High Priest shall be received by the Grand Secretary not later than 60 days preceding Annual Convocation and printed and circulated. The membership statistics compiled from the Annual Returns show a total loss of 95 members during the year. This year we gave out 14 Fifty Year Certificates and pins. Our membership is now at 2506 members of which there are 2324 dues paying members. This means we have 182 members not paying dues or per capita. During the year Yakima Chapter No. 21, Angeles Chapter No. 38, and Okanogan Valley Chapter No. 41 showed a gain in members. The other thirty-four Chapters had losses or stayed the same.

REPORT OF THE ROYAL ARCH MASONS CHILDREN’S HEART FOUNDATION 1999 Respectfully submitted, MEC Thurston H. (Dick) Dickason, PGHP Secretary Treasurer

The Financial Report that is available to you is unaudited. VEC Robert Payne has been working on our Federal Tax return since March 16th 1999., As of this date the Report is not complete, but VEC Payne will be back in the office on May 25th, and hopefully everything is in order for him to complete the return. We have in the meantime applied for an extension with the Internal Revenue service, which will extend our filing period to August 15, 1999. You will see that on December 31, 1997, we had a total of all funds amounting to $1,204,050.18. As of December 31, 1998, our total funds were $1,461,211.70. This is due primarily to several Trusts that became due, as well as those Companions who have departed this world leaving the Heart Foundation a sum of money in their wills. In all we have had a total increase of $257,161.52, with $859,231.22 in the Endowment Accounts and $601,980.48 in the Operating Funds. Certainly we must offer our thanks to Companion Russell Cornish, formerly of Snohomish Chapter, No. 15. The David McKinley Trust to whom I applied for a $30,000 Trust Fund, and which was granted. To Iris Lawrence, Widow of VEC Otto Lawrence, who generously donated $1,000 to the Foundation; and Mrs. Jeanie McCune, wife of MEC Donald Dean McCune, Past Grand High Priest and President Emeritus of the Foundation at the time of his death of February 20, 1999, left the Foundation $15,000. MEC McCune's quiet but effective manner advanced the cause of this Foundation for over twenty years. His talents were freely given, and his advice and counsel were sought by many members of this Grand Jurisdiction. Would there be more dedicated Masons who lived its teachings in their daily lives. There is one Trust that will eventually contribute some $500,000 to the foundation. This is the Goff Family Trust and most of those participating in the residual effects of this Trust are presently living in Coos Bay, Oregon. There is no time limit when we hall be the beneficiary of this Trust. Due to the many technical details involved in the Trust it was necessary for me to contact an attorney. I contacted Jack Blankenship of the firm of Montgomery, Purdue, Blankenship and Austin. Jack, as most of you know, was the former Sovereign Grand Inspector General for the Scottish Rite for the Orient of Washington. Fortunately Jack assigned our account to one of the attorneys in his office prior to his untimely death last week. We shall certainly miss Jack's recommendations, advice, and kindly good humor. He was a good friend to one and all, and shall be missed. I particularly will miss our golf games at the Scottish Rite Children's Language Disorders Double Eagle Tournament where he has been my partner for the past three years. The rent on our office space was increased from $316.50 to $325.090 per month effective December 1, 1998, and is for a two-year period. This is still very reasonable as far as rent goes, and a determination can be made at that time what our future plans should be. One of our major expenses is the telephone, which runs in excess of $300 per month. There is nothing we can do about this but grin and bear it. There are some bills before Congress to place more regulations on the telephone companies, but so far there has been no change that I know of.

93 We have had a total of eight Applications thus far in 1999. Applications are falling off; due much to the effort of HMO's and the fact we are restricted as to what we can medically cover. Rather than make an arbitrary decision relative to the Resolution of the Floor of Grand Chapter, I feel there should be much discussion about this fact, and it is my belief we should take a long and hard look at the direction we want to go. Bear in mind that most, if not all, tragedies designed to assist Children are already attended to by one or another of the Masonic Bodies. We must be cautious on how we change our Statutes, which are also filed with the State of Washington under our Articles of Incorporation. What we select as an alternative to a "Congenital Heart Defect" must be studied closely and in great detail, as the costs of some operations are way beyond our means. We again offer our sincere gratitude to all of those organizations and individuals who have contributed to our philanthropy — the various Youth Organizations, the wondrous Ladies' organizations, our Symbolic Lodges, and those Chapters who make the Foundation their primary focus each year. Each of these groups or individuals will be given appropriate recognition at the Banquet this evening. Now then, to my personal health situation. When I was taking Radiation Treatment for Cancel-, the technicians missed the Prostate Gland by a mere millimeter, which caused a hole to be turned in my color. I have been to two surgeons and there is no cure. What has been done, can not be undone. I am going through a new type of therapy, called "Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy." So far I have had 29 treatments, with one to go next Wednesday. The treatment is like going down in a Diving Bell, breathing pure Oxygen for a period of two hours. It is the hope of the doctors that this therapy will cause the white blood cells to again grow and eventually cover the hole that presently exists. But this is all experimental, so we will have to wait and see. Thus you can understand why it is difficult for me to sit down for any period of time, lay down, or whatever. It is best just to stand, and 1 can assure you this gets tiresome. Total loss of appetite has caused me to lose some 72 pounds. (Sure would like to borrow some clothes that would fit.) Should this situation continue until next year, it should be necessary for me to yield the job as Secretary-Treasurer of the Heart Foundation as due to the medication I am taking, one of which is oral morphine. I will not be able to continue. With this medication I can only offer my thanks to Joyce, who has been my constant chauffeur for the past few months. But again, that is in the future.

REPORT OF THE GRAND HIGH PRIEST (Partial) 2000

RECOMMENDATIONS Every year our Grand Sessions become more and more difficult to manage, financially. The reasons for this are simply that fewer and fewer members are attending, due primarily to attrition. And those who are attending are purchasing fewer and fewer meals. In order for our York Rite Bodies to afford the Hotel's main meeting rooms, Banquet Room and Hospitality Suite, we have to guarantee a certain amount of income to the Hotel in advance. If we fail to meet that amount, the three York Rite Bodies must make up the difference. I know only too well how tough it is for some of to make ends meet these days. And nobody likes to pay ten to fifteen dollars for a breakfast or lunch when you can walk across the street to Denny's and buy a "Grand Slam" for $1.99. Therefore, it is my recommendation that this Grand Chapter, together with the Grand Council and Grand Commandery, give serious consideration to charging a registration fee to all members of this Grand Jurisdiction that attends. I have been told that we are the only Masonic organization in the state that does not charge a fee. If that will prevent us from having to overcharge for meals tomorrow, then I believe it will be the best remedy for us today. Another recommendation I would like to make is that of the Grand High Priest's Exceptional Service Award, which is detailed in one of my resolutions. Companions, if we are to expect you to show an increasing interest in this Grand Chapter, to devote more and more of your time for our prosperity and the advancement of our Craft, we MUST provide a means of personal recognition beyond that of a mere pat on the back or a piece of paper. If you pass this resolution, our members might show a renewed interest in the Royal Arch, now that they have something lasting and personal to strive for.

94 I hope you will consider these recommendations seriously, and especially the resolutions submitted. As we begin this new millennium, let's do it with the knowledge that our York Rite Bodies will be here at the end of the millennium as well. To do that, we have to make changes now to guarantee our own survival later.

OF SPECIAL INTEREST Companions, after I was installed Grand High Priest; I was confronted with one issue in particular which demanded our immediate attention. As you may know, the Most Excellent Prince Hall Grand Chapter Holy Royal Arch Masons of Washington State and it's Jurisdiction has requested Masonic recognition from us. Having received feedback from the Grand Lodge regarding their recent rulings, I called a meeting of all elected Grand Chapter Officers, together with the Jurisprudence Committee and the Board of General Purposes, which convened at the Scottish Rite Temple in Everett on October 27, 1999. The outcome of this meeting was the following agreement:

Constituent Chapters of the Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons of Washington may allow a member of a Constituent Chapter of the Most Excellent Prince Hall Grand Chapter Holy Royal Arch Masons of Washington and it's Jurisdiction to visit their Chapter and share in Masonic Communication with them, and visa-versa. One of our Chapters cannot receive, accept, or ballot on a member of a Chapter under the Jurisdiction of the Prince Hall Grand Chapter for Affiliation, Dual, or Plural membership. Nor can we accept for membership a member of a Lodge under the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge Prince Hall Masons. Until such time as the Grand Lodge F.&A.M. of Washington and its Jurisprudence Committee have resolved their issues regarding Prince Hall Grand Lodge we must maintain a "wait-and-see" attitude. Companions, although this is a frustrating position to be in, please keep in mind the purpose for this delay. The Prince Hall Grand Lodge is concerned that if we give full recognition to their members, they may lose a great number of their membership to our Lodges and Chapters, resulting in their ultimate demise. I know we will eventually come to a Masonic conclusion that will benefit all of us. The end result we must ultimately seek is that of Brotherly Love and Friendship throughout our Fraternity.

I was in the process of meeting with the Grand High Priest of the Prince Hall Grand Chapter of Washington until he was elected out of office. I have not been able to meet with anyone from their Organization since. Please note that this is not due to any unwillingness on the part of anyone. Our schedules just haven't allowed us to meet yet.

95 YORK RITE LIFE MEMBERSHIP FUND INVESTMENT POLICY STATEMENT 2000

The purpose of this Investment Policy Statement (IPS is to assist the Trustees in effectively supervising, monitoring, and evaluating the investments for the York Rite Life Membership Fund (Fund). This (IPS) will include and supplant the prior "Letter of Clarification" developed by the Trustees. This IPS has been arrived at upon consideration by the Trustees of the financial implications of a wide range of policies and describes the prudent investment process that the Trustees deem appropriate. The principal assets have been placed in the Fund in perpetuity. The Trustees will discharge their duties solely in the long term interests of the Fund beneficiaries.

Investment Objectives Preservation of principal is a primary objective. Current income is the primary investment return objective and all income is to be paid out annually. Stability of income is the most important secondary investment return objective with the potential for an increasing income being the final second objective. Capital appreciation is not a direct objective. Investments producing capital appreciation to the extent that they can enhance other objectives would be considered.

Guidelines and Investment Policy Time Horizon: The investment guidelines are based on an investment horizon of three to five years. The Trustees recognize that virtually all assets fluctuate in value and consequently the primary objective of principal preservation must be measured over a period of years rather than months or quarters. Liquidity: The Trustees intend to only use financial assets which provide excellent daily liquidity when necessary. In addition the Trustees counselors have been instructed to manage the assets in such a way as to provide adequate funds to meet the primary investment objective of distributing the income earned by the Fund. Risk Tolerances: The Trustees recognize the difficulty of achieving the Fund's investment objectives in light of the uncertainties and complexities of the investment markets. The Trustees also recognize that some risk must be assumed to achieve the Fund's long term investment objectives. Consequently the Trustees will tolerate some interim fluctuations in market value in order to achieve the Fund's long term objectives. The actual risk tolerance will be based on the statistical fluctuations of the indexes used to measure the performance of the Fund. Performance Expectations: On a long term basis the primary investment objective of the Fund is current income. Over the last 30 years the trustees realize that the income return of intermediate term, five to ten year government bonds, has been an excellent objective when combined with an objective of capital preservation that is measured over three to five years. Effectively this objective would allow the fund to invest in bonds that capture 80% plus of the historic income return available from bonds while minimizing fluctuations that occur because of changes in interest rates. Up to 25% of the Fund can also be invested in equities and equity funds that invest in dividend paying equities. Consequently, the investment return and value fluctuations of the Fund will be measured against a customized index of 75% Lehman Intermediate Term Government and Corporate Bond Index and 25% Russell 1000 Value Index. Asset Allocation: Based on the fund's time horizon, risk tolerances and performance expectations a series of potential portfolios were analyzed. (See attached report.) It was determined that over time a portfolio of up to 25% equities would have risk parameters only slightly higher than a portfolio consisting of only intermediate term bonds. At the same time, the potential for total investment return including a stream of increasing current income is greater in a portfolio of both equities and intermediate term bonds. The Trustees are aware that this allocation is in some ways broader than the parameters against which it will be measured. The following securities transactions are not authorized: letter stock and other unregistered securities, commodities and commodity contracts of any type, short sales or margin transactions. Securities Guidelines Cash and Cash Equivalents: Cash equivalent reserves shall consist of cash instruments having a quality rating of A-2, P- 2, or higher. Any idle cash shall be invested daily. Domestic Fixed Income: Up to 100% of the portfolio can be invested in US Government and Agency securities with a duration for the portfolio of ten years or less. If corporate securities are used, no single issuer's bonds may represent more than 5% of the portfolio and at least 80% of the portfolio must have the A rating equivalent to "BBB" from a major rating service. To the extent that a mutual fund is used to invest in bonds, the Trustees will allow slightly greater variations in quality, but overall the Trustees intent is that the mutual fund be invested in a manner similar to that indicated for individual holdings of bonds. At least 55% of the total fund assets must be invested in this area.

96 International Fixed Income: Up to 20% of the portfolio can be invested in foreign government and foreign corporate bond issues. The guidelines discussed above for corporate bonds will apply. Domestic and International Equities: Investments in equities will be oriented to the purchase of quality issues with dividend incomes that on the average are in excess of that paid by the Standard and Poors 500 Average. No more than 10% of the assets specifically allocated to this portion of the overall Fund may be invested in any one issue. Mutual funds purchased for this portion of the Fund must have similar objectives. Equities may not represent more than 25% of the value of the total Fund. Counselors' Duties: the Trustees have chosen the Investment Planning Group (IPG) at D.A. Davidson & Co. to provide them with advice in regards to the general investment objectives and guidelines for the Fund. In addition, IPG is to provide specific investment recommendations to meet those objectives and guidelines. On a quarterly basis, IPG is to provide investment reports that allow the Trustees to evaluate the performance of the fund versus the established guidelines and performance criteria. On an annual basis, IPG is to provide the Trustees with additional comparative data allowing them to evaluate the specific asset classes of the Fund versus generally available alternatives. In addition, IPG is to provide the Trustees with advice in regards changes that may be appropriate in regards to the Investment Policy Statement and the overall allocation of Fund assets.

REPORT OF THE GRAND LECTURER (Partial) 2000 EC Norm Watts, Grand Lecturer

At the beginning of the year, the Most Excellent Grand High Priest asked me to form and conduct four workshops around the state and to invite the Deputies of the Grand High Priest to attend. I did so, and the first of the workshops was held in July in La Crosse, WA, in the Masonic Temple. The second was held in Wenatchee the next day; the third was held in Centralia, and the fourth was held in Lynnwood in September. For the most part, the workshops were well-attended by the Deputies. One of the main points of the workshops was to form teams and work on the team concept within the Districts to promote membership. The Grand High Priest's program was very heavily weighted to increasing membership. Another major point of the workshop was to encourage the Deputies to have workshops in the individual Chapter at a Stated Meeting. By doing so the Deputies' message would have a better chance of getting to all the officers of the Chapter than it would by having a District workshop or combined District workshop on a day other than a Stated Meeting. This program has worked in Craft Lodges and will work in Royal Arch Masonry if given a chance. I think it's safe to say that membership, or the decline of it, is probably our major concern at this juncture. Statistics tell us that in the next ten years we, as a fraternity, will lose approximately 40% of our members. It should therefore tell us that we need to double our efforts to increase our membership. "Replace Ourselves" may not be enough. Perhaps we should replace ourselves twice. I'm not sure that will be enough. Our system of financing the Grand Sessions each year desperately needs to be revamped. I suggest that we charge a registration fee for our Grand Convocation each year. We can't keep adding to the meals so that the Sessions Committee can pay the bills that they need to incur to make a harmonious and successful Grand Session. Wouldn't it be nice to come to Grand Session and have some good entertainment along with the great fellowship that we now have? Do we need to be ultra-conservative? Let's be proud of who and what we are, and let those that are not York Rite Masons know we are a positive, forward thinking body of Masonry, not a segment of Masonry that is sometimes thought of as "dying." Let them know that Masonry is fun and that we do enjoy our Masonry. This Grand York Rite is the only Masonic body in this state that does not charge a registration fee.

97 REPORT OF THE GRAND ORATOR (Partial) 2000 Fraternally submitted, Ted R. Fonis Grand Orator

My thesis is based on various Masonic virtues, and I begin with a caption, "What is Masonry all about?" Let us start with the Temple itself. A Masonic Lodge or Temple should resemble a beehive, in which all members work together with ardor for the common good. Masonic history teaches us that man has high duties to perform, a high destiny to fulfill on this earth, and that this world is not merely the portal to another. That this life, though not only our only one, is an integral one; that the present is our scene of action and the future for speculation and trust; that man was sent upon earth to live in it, to enjoy it, to study it, to love and to embellish it, to make the most of it. We are all men of like passions, propensities, and exposures. There are elements in all of us which might have been perverted, through the successive processes of moral deterioration, to the worst of crimes. Let the true Mason never forget the solemn injunction necessary to be observant at almost every moment of a busy life. Let each of us never forget the times we knelt at the Holy Altar in a Royal Arch Chapter, to take the solemn obligations of each Degree so conferred upon us. Let us as true Royal Arch Masons never forget that live and the world are what we make them by our social character, faith in moral principles, in virtue, and in God is as necessary for the guidance of man as instinct is for the guidance of an animal. We must, of necessity, embrace the great truths taught us by Masonry and live by them to live happily. "He who industriously sows and reaps is a good laborer and worthy of his hire, but he who sows that which shall be reaped by others is of a noble order and worthy of a more excellent reward." When friends meet and hands are warmly pressed and the eye kindles and the countenance is suffused with gladness, there is a religion between their hearts and each worships the True and Good that is in the other. Let no Mason ever forget that life and the world are what we make them by our social Character, by our adaptation or want of adaptation to the social conditions, relationships, and the pursuit of happiness. Finally, I quote a passage from the Second Inaugural address, given at Washington, D.C., March 4, 1865, given by our great statesman and President, Abraham Lincoln, in his closing remarks, which I personally believe we as Royal Arch Masons should forever be mindful of

"With malice towards none, with charity for all, with firmness n the right, as God gives us the right to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up our wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves and with all Nations."

REPORT OF THE GRAND HIGH PRIEST (Partial) 2002 OFFICIAL ACTS: 10-02-2001 Removed EC Albert Baillie, High Priest of Bellingham Bay Chapter #12 in accordance with Section 28, paragraph 9 of the Grand Code of Washington. He had not fulfilled the duties and obligations of his office and had to be replaced. Specifically, he failed to have a meeting in accordance with Chapter Bylaws in December 2000. He failed to have any dais officers or proxy's present at the Grand Sessions of Washington in May 2001. He failed to arrange a degree team for conferral of the Mark and Past Masters Degrees at Bellingham in September 2001. Three Candidates were present and the program had to be delayed. That evening was also the Official Visit of the Deputy and nothing was prepared for that visit. It had to be delayed. He failed to respond to the District Deputies letter of September 18, 2001 concerning the degree night. Comp Thom Baughn was appointed as High Priest until a new slate of officers is duly elected and installed.

98 REPORT OF THE GRAND HISTORIAN (Partial) 2002 Bill Harris Grand Historian

I was fortunate to be involved in presenting the historical play written by MWB Matthew Hill, who was Grand Master in 1940. He later became Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court. During that time, he spent time researching our State Masonic history. He then wrote the play about the beginning of Masonry in Washington — years 1852-1853. His play was presented in the Centennial Year of Olympia Lodge #1, in 1952. There were in attendance 1000 Masons. During the past year, this play with public invited, has been presented by a group of Royal Arch masons who enjoy the camaraderie of visitations. Full house attendances and raves were received. The purpose of these plays is to promote enthusiasm resulting in more Royal Arch petitions. EDITOR’S NOTE: I wonder if this play is still in print and available to use?

REPORT OF THE GRAND HIGH PRIEST (Partial) 2003

AN IMPORTANT BUT LITTLE NOTICED ADDITION TO THE GRAND CHAPTER CODE On June 9, 2002 the Grand High Priest DENIED A DISPENSATION to Ellensburg #11 which had requested a Dispensation “To Open Early” so that two different bodies could do full opening. HOWEVER, the Grand High Priest ADVISED that the Chapter could be opened early PROVIDED that: “No business was transacted until the Stated Time”. This ADVICE was not objected to by the Jurisprudence Committee and it was included in the “Report of the Grand High Priest” that was “Approved by the Grand Chapter”; thus, this ADVICE became an OFFICIAL part of the Grand Chapter Code.

REPORT OF THE GRAND HIGH PRIEST (Partial) 2005

HEALTH OF GRAND CHAPTER In my opinion, the health of the Grand Chapter is fully based on the health of our Chapters. Throughout this year of travel, I have seen several companions stepping forward and getting the ball rolling. In each Chapter, someone must decide to get the action going. They usually contact chapter companions who had done some of the work in the past and together they create degree teams. If they did not have the people to do the long parts, they put out the call for help and it came from across the state. I have seen MEC Jim Stephens travel to all corners of the state to do the work if someone called him. Companions like VEC Herb Weaver, REC Charley Chapman, VEC Al Ausman, EC Larry Vezza, EC Jay Gallant, VEC Steve Kazda, MEC Harold Rothgeb, EC Thom Baughn, VEC Lynn Bailey, EC John Purcell, VEC Gene Alexander and VEC Jerry Whitney to name a few have initiated the drive to say "Yes" to get things going in their areas. As a result we are seeing chapters come alive and are doing the work again and with spirit. For practice, some are doing degree work without having a candidate for real. But they took pride and did accomplish something that will be ready when the new petition comes about. I have seen chapters who had a program planned for the evening, but when a petition was ready, they went with the degree work. I also saw more traveling of companions, at least in their own district. This is a good sign and may be because more work is going on with the degrees. With new companions coming in, the traveling will let them know that our chapters are excited about meeting others. Border chapters are seeing an influx of travelers, and they likewise go and visit those chapters outside our jurisdiction. The health of our chapters is getting better, but I think there is still a lot of room for improvement. I heard in only one chapter that they have a telephoning committee, albeit only one companion. Nevertheless, the night I heard it, he had called several companions on his own and one important companion showed up and only because the calling companion said "I'd like to meet you in chapter so I can see you and get to know you". The "old" companion showed up and the two met, but by his attendance that night, it was also learned by the companions that the "lost" records were in file cabinets in his office. He had been willing to store the records for the last secretary who accidentally forgot to leave this fact when he

99 left the area. So, form telephone committees to call your companions every month and let them know what is going on in the chapter and to determine how the companions are doing health wise. A telephone tree of the officers and companions can be developed so very little effort is needed to make it work and he dividends will be better than you ever thought. My thoughts are that the chapters must develop "progressive lines". Work with your new companions and put them in the minor parts of the line. Do not put them outside as sentinels, nor inside as COH or Grand Council officers at first. Start them as a veils man or chaplain. Work with them to get their proficiency in those parts. Give them small parts in the degrees. Each year move them up to something more. When they are ready, put them in as COH with the expectation that they will move up to Scribe, King and High Priest in subsequent years. Do not put companions into the Scribe or King positions if they will not agree to move up each year. I have seen too many PHP take these positions when it is wiser to put the someone in who will progress up the line to High Priest. Overall, I believe that the chapters are becoming stronger in both character as well as ritualists. The candidates are available and we should build on the current knowledge of membership techniques as promoted by MEC Jim Stephens. Getting out into the lodges in the districts will get the brothers interested. Develop and plan on more activities that will include the brothers and their wives. When the petitions come in, do not sit on them waiting for someone to do the work. Plan to do it the next meeting, or have the HP call a special to get it done. Do not let the candidates linger. Those chapters that will work toward bettering themselves will in the end know their reward by the change in the chapter. Each companion can keep the momentum going just by taking a part.

CLOSING REMARKS Companions, we started this year looking forward to success by your endeavor to "Strive To Improve". I am pleased with your support, and may you support the coming Corps of Officers with the same respect and assistance that you provided this year. May you fully enjoy your time in Royal Arch Masonry and remember that your studious and desirous brothers should be introduced to this august body. So, go forth and multiply. Throughout the year, I tried to provide some wise selections from the Bible, as the High Priest should do at every meeting. I would like to close my report with another selection of the Bible, in a manner of questions, answers and some facts.

Q: What is the shortest chapter in the Bible? A: Psalms 117 Q: What is the longest chapter in the Bible? A: Psalms 119 Q: Which chapter is in the center of the Bible? A: Psalms 118

Fact: There are 594 chapters before Psalms 118, and there are 594 chapters after Psalms 118 Adding these numbers, you get 1188.

Q: What verse is in the center of the Bible? A: Psalms Chapter 118, Verse 8 Q: Does this verse say something significant about God's perfect will for our lives? Psalms 118:8 reads "It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man."

I have, and do, place confidence in each of you as you return to your chapter and carry on to make our chapters worthy and well qualified in the future; for each of you were asked at one time “In Whom Do You Place Your Trust”, and each replied: “IN GOD !”May I close with this thought: “When things get tough, always remember … Faith does not get you around trouble, it gets you through it.”

100 REPORT OF THE GRAND SECRETARY 2005 Fraternally submitted. MEC Louis E. Bartrand (59/68) Grand Secretary

I do not like to write negative reports, but this will be one. This has been an extraordinary year trying to resolve problems of this office. After writing off 621 people last year and having exact names and numbers for each chapter, we had significant problems with some chapters in resolving this year's reports. Specifically, names that had been discussed last year were, for some reason or another, not members. This should have been resolved last year. I had advised every chapter secretary last year that I would have a one-on-one meeting with them to resolve any problems that existed which needed corrected. I met with three. The problems came from other secretaries. Some secretaries were replaced and information which they needed was not given to them. Most secretaries did not use the disc that I gave them last year to find out changes to their personnel and to provide information which was lacking. This is absolutely true with 50 year members. I did not have one request for 50 year pins and certificates this year. I found at least 70 myself which, in some cases, should have been taken care of as much as eight years before. This tells me that communications within the chapters is lacking. The worst part of this is that several of our past members died without ever receiving them. I personally wrote 150 letters to numerous jurisdictions attempting to get degree dates, etc. I have received some but am still missing 103. This information should have been received in the chapters when a person was exalted or when he became a dual or affiliate member. Applications for the degrees are only partially filled out. Full names (including middle) should be included on those forms. They, in most part, are not filled in. Demit forms should have been sent to me. Few were. Some others took significant numbers of requests to get. The Grand Secretary does not issue Demit Forms. However, he does confirm that the chapter is an active chapter in this Grand Jurisdiction and that the member is an active part of that chapter. One man was carried as a 50 year member and was not exalted until 1968. A name was transposed which should have been caught years ago. There are also people who are on the active rolls who have not been contacted in years. They are on the disc which I provided. All one needs to do is use the information available to him. If he doesn't have it, ask for it. Collecting money and other information about this years annual reports has been very difficult. In many cases the request was not handled or was just overlooked. Companions, we have difficulty in corresponding within this Grand Chapter which must be corrected. That can only be done by starting at the source — ALL OF US! There are other items which also need to be taken care of. Are your Mark Books Current? Have all members signed your Bylaws Book? Are you having programs in keeping your meetings interesting? Are you reading the Focus? Are your members involved or just paying their dues? Are your secretaries doing the job? If any one of these questions cannot be answered as YES then you have some items that need fixing. We corresponded with numerous States and overseas locations so the dialogue is open. We were asked by Switzerland to stop sending any correspondence to them. For some reason or another Panama will not answer any correspondence. The downward spiral continued in 2004. We lost 131 and gained 78. We cannot stop deaths, but NPD's can be taken care of. We currently have 1710 per capita paying members. So we need to curtail spending until we can get more members. Only 54% of our memberships are members of the Royal Arch Masons Heart Foundation. We need your help to bring those figures up. Let us try to use the tools available to us to improve the way we do business. Keep the dialogue open and if you have problems — ask for help. We cannot correct deficiencies if we don't understand the problem. If you have not heard from your members write them a short note (even a postcard) to see how they are doing. We need to overcome the severe complacency that exists. We need your help!

101 GRAND ORATORS REPORT 2006 VEC Lewis D, Peck Grand Orator Past Master of Yakima-Compass Lodge It 24 Past Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Washington

Our Grand High Priest, MEC R. Dale Fluaitt has asked for us to get back to the basics. So, just exactly what are the basics? I say they are the solid bedrock foundation on which we build our house. They are our Masonic Landmarks. Looking in our current Royal Arch Masonic Code and Monitor , I do not find them. Also, looking in our Washington Grand Lodge Code and Monitor, I do not find them. We have a Vision Statement and Pillars of Progress, but no Landmarks. The reasoning, I have heard, is that if we decide what they should be and write them down, someone in the future may decide to change them, so if they can be changed, how can they be Landmarks? How absurd! Language does change and situations do change. The only things that do not change are God and human nature These Landmarks and Points come from a gleaning of other jurisdictions and from other times plus my own input. I have written these Masonic Truths in current American English so that they can be easily understood. Landmarks are the SOLID BEDROCK FOUNDATION of the Masonic Fraternity. They designate and establish boundaries in which we work. Without them we are like a ship without a rudder or anchor. Without them we have no reason for our existence. These Landmarks and Points clearly state: Who we are, what our principles are, and what we do. All internal workings of Masonry should be considered as Masonic Common Law or under Masonic Legislation but not as Landmarks.

MASONIC LANDMARKS As Written by W.B. Lewis D. Peck 1. There is one God who created all things. 2. 'The Holy Word or God, which is on the altar of Freemasonry, is the source of all light and truth. 3. God is all knowing, all seeing, all powerful and ever present. 4. There is life after death in which God rewards and punishes all mankind according to His Holy Word. 5. All rights of man come from God. 6. Because Cod created all mankind as equals, Freemasons meet on the level as equals. 7. Freemasons support freedom of religion. 8. Freemasons support the Law of the Land, including the moral and social virtues of society. 9. Freemasons support the availability of quality education for all citizens. 10. Freemasons oppose all forms of tyranny, whether political, judicial, military, economic religious, environmental or social.

ADDITIONAL MASONIC POINTS As Written by W.B. Lewis D. Peck Freemasonry is a society of men who place their trust in God. Freemasonry is not a religion, for it has no religious creed, nor does it teach any means of salvation. Freemasonry teaches men how to be good. Freemasonry is based upon Judeo-Christian principles that can be agreed upon by all good men. Freemasonry uses tools and objects of the building trade to illustrate unerring truths of moral laws in their walk with God and their fellow man. Freemasonry uses illustrations from science and nature to show God's presence and authority over all things.

102 REPORT OF THE. LONG RANGE PLANNING COMMITTEE (Partial) 2006 Fraternally Submitted, REC Edwin A. Opsta, Chairman (54) MEC R. Dale Fluaitt (9, 66); REC Charley L. Chapman (21); REC Lynn L. Bailey (59) MEC James T. Stephens (32); VEC William A. Shorn (32); VEC Glenn Wilson (61, 67) VEC Jeffery S. Bartow (11, 54); EC Alfred J. Luberts. Jr. (67)

Although this Grand Chapter has had a Long Range Planning Committee for a number of years, in the 2002-2003 Capitular year it began to operate under its current format. The Long Range Planning Committee has continued to refine the Long Range plan approved at the 2005 annual convocation of this Grand Chapter. During the past year the Committee has developed additional strategic initiatives and has adjusted others to improve the quality of the plan. The Long Range Plan was adopted with the understanding that it is a living document continually subject to change as situations change and develop. The Committee has met monthly throughout the year, gathering on the third Monday of almost every month at the Ice Arena in Shoreline, hosted by Committee member and Past Grand High Priest James T. Stephens. Attendance has been good, even when icy conditions in the passes might have discouraged less dedicated members. A summary of the Plan and the eight Keystones is attached to this report.

KEYSTONE NO. I: EDUCATION AND TRAINING Rationale: All members of the Royal Arch Chapters of Washington should be well versed in the ritual and constitution of the Grand Chapter of Washington thereby assuring an efficient operation of the individual chapters with the Grand Chapter. Such trained members are then able to better distribute more light to our Masonic membership. Objectives: • Annual chapter leadership training. • Annual deputy training. • A Chapter working session guide. • Annual proficiency training. Actions: • Grand Chapter's Chapter Education and Training Committee to develop, in conjunction with chapters, training that will benefit chapters. • Grand Lecturer to develop and implement a program of training for district deputies. • Grand Lecturer, together with district deputies and the Chapter Education and Training Committee, to develop and promote proficiency training throughout the jurisdiction. • Grand Secretary to develop and implement training for chapter secretaries. KEYSTONE. NO, 2: PUBLIC RELATIONS Rationale: All chapters need to work with the Grand Chapter in assuring the public is aware of the goals, accomplishments, and charities of the Grand Chapter of Washington and to live in harmony with the members of our communities. Objectives: • Community knowledge of Royal Arch Masons Children's Heart Foundation. • Printed and video materials available to inform community groups and speakers available to speak knowledgeably about Royal Arch Masonry. • Media willingness to cover Royal Arch activities. • Recognition programs available to assist chapters to identify and celebrate members of the local community who have made shmificant contributions consistent with the ideals of Royal Arch Masonry. Actions: • Establish Public Relation Committee. • Public Relations Committee to develop a comprehensive public relations plan. • Work with Grand Lodge and Washington Masonic Alliance to assure Royal Arch presence at fair booths and community events. • Coordinate with Royal Arch Masons Children's Heart Foundation trustees to maximize information about this charity available in communities statewide. • Chapter Activities Committee, together with Public Relations Committee, to develop and coordinate speakers for community groups.

103 KEYSTONE No. 3: FRATERNALISM Rationale: Each chapter and member should strive to assure communications with the family of Royal Arch Masons of Washington; to encourage the attendance and involvement of all family members with the appropriate recognition within the community. Chapters should encourage member’s interest in their companions’ interests, skills, vocations, avocations, and other significant aspects of their lives. Obi ectives: • Full understanding of Royal Arch Masonry within symbolic lodges in the vicinity of each chapter. • A program to involve wives, widow, and infirm Royal Arch Masons in the activities of their chapter. • Establish traditions that will encourage visitation between and among chapters. • A program to recognize excellence among chapters, and among companions in the chapters. • Greater use by chapters of the Royal Arch Park (Maple Valley), Masonic Park (Granite Falls), and other Masonic and non-Masonic facilities that can be reserved by chapters. Actions: • District Deputies to assure that chapters have capability to educate lodges on Royal Arch Masonry. • Chapter Activities Committee to develop a program to involve wives, widows, and infirm Royal Arch Masons in the activities of the chapters. • Chapter Education and Training Committee to review meeting formats and recommend changes to enhance visitation between and among chapters. • Chapter Activities committee to provide information to chapters on the availability of the Royal Arch Park, Masonic Park, and other facilities that might be adaptable to the use of the chapters. KEYSTONE. No, 4: PUBLIC RELATIONS Rationale: All chapters need to work with the Grand Chapter in assuring the public is aware of the goals, accomplishments, and charities of the Grand Chapter of Washington and to live in harmony with the members of our communities. Objectives: • Community knowledge of Royal Arch Masons Children's Heart Foundation. • Printed and video materials available to inform community groups and speakers available to speak knowledgeably about Royal Arch Masonry. • Media willingness to cover Royal Arch activities. • Recognition programs available to assist chapters to identify and celebrate members of the local community who have made significant contributions consistent with the ideals of Royal Arch Masonry. Actions: • Establish Public Relation Committee. • Public Relations Committee to develop a comprehensive public relations plan. • Work with Grand Lodge and Washington Masonic Alliance to assure Royal Arch presence at fair booths and community events. • Coordinate with Royal Arch Masons Children's Heart Foundation trustees to maximize information about this charity available in communities statewide. • Chapter Activities Committee, together with Public Relations Committee, to develop and coordinate speakers for community groups. KEYSTONE. No. 5: COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT. Rationale: To obtain recognition and support of our neighborhood communities, we must support and be involved in planning and participation in community activities, Objectives: • Greater community involvement by chapters. • A pamphlet for chapters suggesting projects that may be available to interact with their communities. • Greater Royal Arch support of Grand Lodge and lodge activities within the communities. Actions: • District Deputies to encourage chapters to seek opportunities to share Grand Lodge community activities, such as the CHIPS program. • Long Range Planning Committee to prepare pamphlet for chapters outlining projects that may be available to interact with their communities.

104 KEYSTONE No. 6: COOPERATION WITH CONCORDANT ORGANIZATIONS Rationale: All Royal Arch Members are members of a symbolic lodge and many are also members of other organizations, or are involved with them in an advisory capacity. It is important to assure that these organizations are mutually supportive and do not conflict. Objectives: • Success of the Washington Masonic .Alliance. • Coordination among all Masonic bodies, locally an statewide. • Media available to promote events that may be of interest among concordant organizations. • Cooperative funding for multi-organization events. Actions: • Washington Masonic Alliance representatives to support and encourage coordination among concordant organizations statewide. • Chapter Activities Committee to develop media for distribution in a timely manner of events that may be of interest to the Masonic Family. • Finance Committee to identify funding to support preparation of media to publicize Masonic Family events. KEYSTONE NO. 7: GRAND CHAPTER ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE Rationale: A continuing review of the structure of the Grand Chapter is needed to assure best use of the limited time of the Officers and Committee Members of the Grand Chapter and the most efficient and effective use of the resources available. Objectives: • Improved internal activities and condition of constituent chapters. • Efficient and effective publication and distribution of the FOCUS. • Optimum committee composition and missions. Actions: • Board of General Purposes and the elected Grand Officers to continually review committee organization and missions and to recommend changes. • Long Range Planning Committee to analyze data gathering and distribution of the FOCUS to make it most useful to the companions and least burdensome to the editor. • District Deputies to recommend a process for the improvement and assessment of the internal activities and condition of the constituent chapters. • The elected Grand Officers to continually review the Long Range Planning Committee composition and operations. KEYSTONE No. 8: TECHNOLOGY Rationale: It is important that we utilize the current technology in a manner that facilitates efficient operation of our chapters and the Grand Chapter while avoiding unnecessary burdens on the persons who operate the systems and procedures. Objectives: • Identification of common software requirements within the jurisdiction. • Needs for automation clearly defined. • Conflicting uses of automation identified and eliminated. Actions: • Establish a Technology Committee. • Technology Committee to determine activities and functions that can effectively and efficiently be automated. • Technology Committee to recommend software that can be procured to support necessary automated tasks. • Finance Committee to determine sources of funding to support procurement of necessary software.

105 ROYAL ARCH MASONS CHILDREN'S HEART FOUNDATION Fraternally submitted, May 19, 2010 MEC Robert Truesdale, President

I am pleased to report that the foundation in its Forty Seventh Year is in very good and sound condition. At a time when the corporate world is floundering, our foundation continues on a solid footing and we continue to do just what we were intended to do. Help those children with heart defects and make sure that they have the opportunity for that operation and treatment that will give them a better life. Each year we average about ten applications and since our beginning in 1963 the number of applications has reached about Five Hundred and Twenty, about one hundred of them in the last nine years. I am sure there are many more children out there that we could help, but our profile still isn't big enough to be seen by those in need. At every trustee meeting we scratch our heads trying to come up with more ways to reach out to the children. Financially as attested by the Secretary's report we are doing well, to the point that companions in the ranks are saying, don't we have enough money, and donation support from the companions is at a low point. Companions there is never enough money. All of our incoming funds are placed in the endowment fund and the foundation operates only on the interest earned, and that includes the assistance we provide for the children. When an application is approved, the foundation allocates, or reserves, $ 10,000.00 for the use of that child until the operation is completed and paid for. If more is needed the board may approve and allocate another$ 10,000.00, any left over funds are put back in the coffer. Now the" scenario" is this, if we approve our average of ten applicants for the year, we have then reserved $ 100,000.00, cash on the table, to be used at any time the bills come in to be paid. This money must be available because it is committed. And what about the extra allocations, because the $ 10.000.00 wasn't enough. Or, if we have a year like a couple of years ago when we had nineteen applications. So it is very, very important that our endowment funds are managed so as to generate that Income. No, companions, there is never too much money in the endowment fund. Now as to our profile, it has become evident to the trustees, that the foundation is efficient and is running so smoothly that the companions have almost forgot that it is a part of our organization, that it is the Philanthropy of The Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Washington, the only one of its kind, I guess I and the board of trustees have to take some of the blame for that, we meet three times a year and go over all important matters, and either there or by mail we review and approve every application, or any other business of the Foundation, we don't make a lot of noise while doing so, I guess maybe we should. The board has discussed and is working on ways that we can get more information out to the companions and we are going to do that. Let me leave you with this last thought, companions, this is your Children's Heart Foundation. This is your Philanthropy, we need your help, keep up the donations, but more than that, talk up the foundation, listen and watch for children we can help, get the word to a trustee, don't know the trustee ?, call Louis or me and we will take it from there. Again I am privileged to head up this foundation, I am proud of it and I want you to be too. We have a great Board of trustees and I can't thank them enough for their help. They support and take part in every part of the operation. Talk to them, you will find that they are very dedicated and proud also.

106 GRAND CHAPTER ANNUAL CONVOCATIONS, Place, Date, and Other Information

GRAND CHAPTER - 1984 (100th Annual Grand Convocation - Walla Walla - May 30-31, 1984) (Total Chapter Membership as of January 1, 1984 = 4276) (49 Chartered Chapters in Washington; all were represented at Grand Convocation)

GRAND CHAPTER - 1985 (101st Annual Grand Convocation - Kelso - May 22-23, 1985) (Total Chapter Membership as of January 1, 1985 = 4179 - NOTE: As corrected In 1986 Proceedings) (48 Chartered Chapters in Washington; all were represented at Grand Convocation)

GRAND CHAPTER - 1986 (102nd Annual Grand Convocation - Fife - May 21-22, 1986) (Total Chapter Membership as of January 1, 1986 = 4075) (48 Chapters represented at Grand Chapter session May 21-22, 1986)

GRAND CHAPTER - 1987 (103th Annual Grand Convocation - Ellensburg - May 27-28, 1987) (Total Chapter Membership as of January 1, 1987 = 3982) (48 Chapters represented at Grand Chapter session May 27-28, 1987)

GRAND CHAPTER - 1988 (104th Annual Grand Convocation - Kelso - May 18-19, 1988) (Total Chapter Membership as of January 1, 1988 = 3872) (48 Chapters represented at Grand Chapter session May 18-19 1988)

GRAND CHAPTER - 1989 (105th Annual Grand Convocation - ???) (Membership Data from 1990 Proceedings - Total Chapter Membership as of January 1, 1989 = 3619) EDITOR’S NOTE: I did not have a copy of the 1989 Proceedings in time to include in this Edition.

GRAND CHAPTER - 1990 (106th Annual Grand Convocation - Kennewick - May 23-24, 1990) (Total Chapter Membership as of January 1, 1990 = 3522) (45 Chapters represented at Grand Chapter session May 23-24, 1990) (Goldendale #36 was not represented at this Grand Session) (Sprague #6 and Port Townsend #14 were no longer chartered as of this Grand Session)

GRAND CHAPTER - 1991 (107th Annual Grand Convocation - Fife - May 22-23, 1991) (Total Chapter Membership as of January 1, 1991 = 3306- NOTE: As corrected In 1992 Proceedings) (44 Chapters represented at Grand Chapter session May 22-23, 1991) (Sunnyside Valley #35 merged into Yakima #21)

GRAND CHAPTER - 1992 (108th Annual Grand Convocation - Mt. Vernon - May 20, 1992) (Total Chapter Membership as of January 1, 1991 = 3202) (42 Chapters represented at Grand Chapter session May 20, 1990) (Olympia #7 merged into Elmont #13 and Friendship #40 merged into Ballard #26)

GRAND CHAPTER - 1993 (109th Annual Grand Convocation - Yakima - May 19, 1993) (Total Chapter Membership as of January 1, 1993 = 3043) (42 Chapters represented at Grand Chapter session May 19, 1993)

GRAND CHAPTER - 1994 (110th Annual Grand Convocation - Everett - Wednesday, May 18, 1994) (Total Chapter Membership as of January 1, 1994 = 2965) (41 Chapters represented at Grand Chapter session May 20, 1994) (Columbia Gorge #60 merged into Goldendale #36.)

107 GRAND CHAPTER - 1995 (111th Annual Grand Convocation - Kennewick - Saturday, May 20, 1995) (Total Chapter Membership as of January 1, 1995 = 2800) (39 Chapters represented at Grand Chapter session May 20, 1995) (Everett #24 and Edmonds #64 merged into Snohomish #15)

GRAND CHAPTER - 1996 (112th Annual Grand Convocation - Tumwater - Tuesday, May 21, 1996) (Total Chapter Membership as of January 1, 1996 = 2688) (38 Chapters represented at Grand Chapter session May 21, 1996) (Amity #53 merged into Oriental #19 on February, 23, 1996)

GRAND CHAPTER - 1997 (113th Annual Grand Convocation - Fife - Thursday, May 15, 1997) (Total Chapter Membership as of January 1, 1997 = 2601) (35 Chapters represented at Grand Chapter session May 16, 1997) (Oriental #19 and Goldendale #36 were not represented by an Elected Officer or Proxy) (Keystone #37 not represented)

GRAND CHAPTER - 1998 (114th Annual Grand Convocation - Richland - Tuesday, May 23, 1998) (Total Chapter Membership as of January 1, 1998 = 2,421) (37 Chapters Represented at May 23, 1988 Grand Session)

GRAND CHAPTER - 1999 (115th Annual Grand Convocation - Mt. Vernon - Tuesday, May 18, 1999) (Total Chapter Membership as of January 1, 1999 = 2359) (Quorum was present but number of Represented Chapters was not reported at May 18, 1999 Grand Session) (Golden Dale #36 Merged into Yakima #21 in 1999) (Dispensation issued February 3, 1999 to form a new Chapter to be known as Research Chapter U.D.)

GRAND CHAPTER - 2000 (116th Annual Grand Convocation - Everett - Tuesday, May 18, 2000) (Total Chapter Membership as of January 1, 2000 = Not Listed In Proceedings) (37 Chapters Filed Annual Report) (Grand Convocation at Everett - Tuesday, May 18, 2000) (Quorum was present but number of Represented Chapters was not reported)

GRAND CHAPTER - 2001 (117th Annual Grand Convocation - Kennewick - Saturday, May 19, 2001) (Total Chapter Membership as of January 1, 2001 = Not Listed In Proceedings) (37 Chapters Filed Annual Report) (117th Grand Convocation at Kennewick - Saturday, May 19, 2001) (Quorum was present but number of Represented Chapters was not reported)

GRAND CHAPTER - 2002 (118th Annual Grand Convocation - Federal Way - Tuesday, May 21, 2002) (Total Chapter Membership as of January 1, 2002 = 2,200 - Loss of 199 in past year) (37 Chapters Filed Annual Report) (35 Chapters Represented) (Rainier #52 merged into Oriental #19 in 2001) (West Seattle #45 merged into Triple Tau #66 in 2002)

GRAND CHAPTER - 2003 (119th Annual Grand Convocation - Kelso - Monday, May 19, 2003) (Total Chapter Membership as of January 1, 2003 = 2,115) (36 Chapters Filed Annual Report) (35 Chapters Represented)

GRAND CHAPTER - 2004 (120th Annual Grand Convocation - Wenatchee - Saturday, May 22, 2004) (Total Chapter Membership as of January 1, 2004 = 1,975) (35 Chapters Filed Annual Report) (35 Chapters Represented)

108 GRAND CHAPTER - 2005 (121st Annual Grand Convocation - Mount Vernon - Tuesday, May 17, 2005) (Total Chapter Membership as of January 1, 2005 = 1,923) (35 Chapters Filed Annual Report) (33 Chapters Represented) (Sunset #23 merged into Centralia #44 in 2005) (Wenatchee #22 Not Represented)

GRAND CHAPTER - 2006 (122nd Annual Grand Convocation - Bow - May 15, 2006) (Total Chapter Membership as of January 1, 2006 = 1,869) (35 Chapters Filed Annual Report) (30 Chapters Represented) (Evergreen #10 not represented) (Ballard #26 merged into University #32 in 2005) (Lincoln Park #56 merged into Tacoma #4 in 2006)

GRAND CHAPTER - 2007 (123rd Annual Grand Convocation - Wenatchee - May 12, 2007) (Total Chapter Membership as of January 1, 2007 = Not Reported) (Chapters Filing Annual Report - Not Reported) (Chapters Represented - Not Reported)

GRAND CHAPTER - 2008 (124th Annual Grand Convocation - ??????????) (Total Chapter Membership as of January 1, 2008 = 1655) (Chapters Filing Annual Report - Not Reported) (Centralia #44 - Not Represented)

GRAND CHAPTER - 2009 (125th Annual Grand Convocation - Wenatchee - May 21, 2009) (Total Chapter Membership as of January 1, 2009 = 1592) (Chapters Filing Annual Report - 30) (Chapters Represented - 27) (Carnation #29 merged into Fellowship #61 in 2008) (Centralia #44 merged into Fellowship #61 in 2008) (Overlake #67 merged into Enumclaw #42 in 2008) (Pullman #31 merged into Spokane #2 in 2008)

GRAND CHAPTER - 2010 (126th Annual Grand Convocation - Leavenworth - May 19, 2010) (Total Chapter Membership as of January 1, 2010 = 1547) (All Chartered Chapters Represented - 28)

GRAND CHAPTER - 2011 (127th Annual Grand Convocation - Arlington - May 17, 2011) (Total Chapter Membership as of January 1, 2011 = Not Reported) (28 Chartered Chapters at time of Convocation) (Centralia #44 & Longview #55 Not Represented)

GRAND CHAPTER - 2012 (128th Annual Grand Convocation - Everett - Thursday, May 17, 2012) (27 Chartered Chapters at time of Convocation) (EDITOR’S NOTE: Grand Chapter had not yet convened at time of this publication - Date as scheduled.)

109 COMPILED FINANCIAL DATA 1984 - 2011

THE MOST EXCELLENT GRAND CHAPTER ROYAL ARCH MASONS OF WASHINGTON FINANCIAL INFORMATION AS REPORTED ON RECORDED DATE (NOTE: Fund Balances are that reported for date shown on same line.) (NOTE: Income and Expenses are for the Capitular Year leading to the Date on same line.)

Date Bank Account Savings & CDs All Income All Expenses April 30, 1983 $8,473 $39,394 April 30, 1984 $9,684 $42,436 $9,685 $8,475 *April 30, 1985 $9,196 $45,837 $14,604 $13,692 April 30, 1986 $8,688 $47,540 $12,471 $12,979 April 30, 1987 $6,951 $53,302 $11,727 $13,465 April 30, 1988 $2,954 $58,284 $19,142 $21,112 *April 30, 1989 $6,700 $60,741 ??? ??? April 30, 1990 $6,128 $63,812 $16,821 $17,393 (NOTE: * Data shown for April 30, 1985 is a composite of data reported in1985 & 1986 Proceedings.) (NOTE: * Data shown for April 30, 1989 is from data reported in1990 Proceedings.) (NOTE: Bank, Savings, and CD Account Balances are that reported for date shown on same line.) (NOTE: CD Income may include computed interest for the period but not yet realized.)

Date General Fund Other Funds All Income All Expenses April 30, 1991 $54,773 $11,653 $18,910 $19,206 April 30, 1992 $54,773 $10,357 $14,637 $15,952 April 30, 1993 $56,667 $11,254 $12,665 $10,014 April 30, 1994 $55,277 $08,983 $12,389 $16,688 April 30, 1995 $57,248 $10,392 $14,344 $10,984 April 30, 1996 $64,506 $13,717 $20,624 $10,078 April 30, 1997 $70,271 $13,127 $15,682 $09,684 *April 30, 1998 $68,240 $24,356 $15,321 $08,458 (EDITOR’S NOTE: The exact figures for 1998 &1999 are uncertain, they vary in the two Proceedings) *April 30, 1999 $68,733 $32,966 $15,321 $07,852 April 30, 2000 $73,474 $32,300 $15,254 $11,220 April 30, 2001 $77,362 $35,259 $19,343 $12,608 April 30, 2002 $79,539 $33,031 $13,176 $13,432 April 30, 2003 $76,341 $31,560 $16,972 $17,048 April 30, 2004 $76,106 $32,467 $16,061 $14,888 April 30, 2005 $76,735 $33,796 $13,442 $13,409 April 30, 2006 $77,549 $35,269 $16,702 $16,243 April 30, 2007 (Fund balances - not reported) $14,671 $12,001 April 30, 2008 (EDITOR’S NOTE: I did not have a copy of the 2008 Proceedings - Data not known) April 30, 2009 (Total Assets $132,408) $13,274 $12,736 April 30, 2010 (Total Assets $129,995) $11,848 $11,195 April 30, 2011 (No financial information reported for 2011 - Proceeding reprinted the April 30, 2010 Data)

110 CHILDREN’S HEART FOUNDATION INC. (Established 1961) (Fund Balances at Date) Date Operating Fund Endowment Fund Hospital & Medical Expenses May 01, 1983 $140,886 $432,428 NOTE: By May 30, 1984 Incomplete bills of 7 patients May 30, 1984 $194,339 $468,136 were received so only $2,415 was paid to that date.) May 22, 1985 $234,596 $494,112 $24,121 (Paid May 31, 1984 to Date) Apr. 30, 1986 $281,772 $569,734 $08,052 (Paid May 23, 1985 to Date) Apr. 30, 1987 $293,651 $604,435 $42,811 (Paid May 1, 1986 to Date) Apr. 30, 1988 $303,484 $607,744 $39,657 (Paid May 1, 1987 to Date) Apr. 30, 1989 (EDITOR’S NOTE: 1989 DATA UNAVAILABLE for This Edition of KEYSTONE) (Note: In 1990 converted from fiscal to calendar year.) $21,967 (Paid 1/1/1990 to April 30, 1990) Dec. 31, 1990 $362,906 $700,161 $21,865 (Paid May 1, 1990 to Date) (NOTE: $20,000 Research Grant to Children’s Hospital & Med Ctr. Reported in 1991 PROCEEDINGS.) Dec. 31, 1991 $339,931 $743,930 $75,467 (Paid Jan1, 1991 to Date) Dec. 31, 1992 $429,570 $714,928 $37,369 (Paid Jan 1, 1992 to Date) Dec. 31, 1993 $343,392 $745,047 $58,008 (Paid Jan 1, 1993 to Date) Dec. 31, 1994 $330,033 $764,026 $25,465 (Paid Jan 1, 1994 to Date) Dec. 31, 1995 $366,146 $767,517 $32,712 (Paid Jan 1, 1995 to Date) Dec. 31, 1996 $369,651 $787,143 $24,844 (Paid Jan 1, 1996 to Date) Dec. 31, 1997 $424,680 $779,137 $29,045 (Paid Jan 1, 1997 to Date) Dec. 31, 1998 $601,980 $859,231 $22,675 (Paid Jan 1, 1998 to Date) Dec. 31, 1999 $491,090 $1,041,217 $37,500 (Paid Jan 1, 1999 to Date) Dec. 31, 2000 $584,354 $985,095 9 Applications - Amt. Paid Not Stated Dec. 31, 2001 $582,307 $928,338 (No information reported in Proceedings) Dec. 31, 2002 $582,307 $928,338 8 new applications - Amt. Paid Not Stated (NOTE: By-Laws changed to allow help for children with other Heart Problems as well as congenital.) Dec. 31, 2003 $285,160 $1,401,002 8 children helped in 2003. Amt. Paid Not Stated Dec. 31, 2004 $420,255 $1,332,966 17 children helped in 2004. Amt. Pd. Not Stated Dec. 31, 2005 $401,666 $1,905,253 17 children helped in 2005. Amt. Pd. Not Stated Dec. 31, 2006 $642,703 $1,831,494 7 children helped in 2006. Amt. Pd. Not Stated Dec. 31, 2007 (EDITOR’S NOTE: I did not have a copy of the 2008 Proceedings - Data not known) Dec. 31, 2008 $789,384 $1,576,069 6 children helped in 2008. Amt. Pd. Not Stated Dec. 31, 2009 ($2,492,129 Total Value {$126,676 Increase}) 5 children helped in 2009. Amt. Pd. Not Stated Dec. 31, 2010 ($2,723,252 Total Value {$231,123 Increase}) 6 children helped in 2010. Amt. Pd. Not Stated

2006 REPORT SPECIAL NOTE by Jerry R. Kunkle, Treasurer Special recognition should be directed to the following people and or organizations for their exceptional contributions to the RAMCHF: University #32 RAM; Issaquah #39 RAM; Okanogan Valley #41 RAM; Enumclaw #42; Fellowship #61 RAM; Triple Tau #66 RAM; Clontarf Council #69; Knight Masons Goose & Gridiron Nest #2. 2007 REPORT SPECIAL NOTE by Louis E. Bartrand Secretary/Treasurer Special recognition should be directed to the following people and/or organizations for their exceptional contributions to the RAMCHF: Goff Family Trust donated $90,000; MeKinlay Trust donated $20,000; Century Lodge No. 208, F. & A. M. donated $2,000 as did Mr. Tom Constand; the Garth Short estate; Bellingham Bay Chapter No. 12over $600; The DeMolay Haunted House Fund Raiser over $500; The following donated between $200 and$500 dollars each: University Lodge No. 141. F. & A.M.; Western Cascade Lodge No. 61, F.&A.M., Goose & Gridiron Nest No. I; Triple Tau #66; Enutnclaw #42; Pasco #33; Yakima #21; Ananda & Michael Cuadra; Monroe Department of Corrections; and Albert & Yukoko Moe.

111 YORK RITE LIFE MEMBERSHIP MEMORIAL FOUNDATION

1990 (PARTIAL Annual Report) May 10, 1990 - Norman F. Campo, Secretary/Treasurer Participating Bodies now consist of Twenty (20) Chapters, Eight (C Councils and Eight (8) Commanderies, who have deposited with the Foundation a total of $ 62,881.92 as of March 31, 1990.

DATE PAID IN BY Participating Bodies PAID OUT TO Participating Bodies Dec31,1990 $33,168(Jan1,1990-Dec31,1990) $02,912(1991) Dec31,1991 $29,992(Jan1,1991-Dec31,1991) $10,837(1992)

DATE TOTAL RECEIPTS TOTAL EXPENSES (Amounts Paid In and Out are not stated) Dec 31, 1992 $118,068 $117,952 (6.5% Short Term - 8.25% Long Term Return)

DATE PAID IN BY Participating Bodies PAID OUT TO Participating Bodies Dec 31, 1993 $74,052 (Jan 1, 1993 - Dec 31, 1993) $18,804 (1994) (Rate Investment Return Not Stated) Dec31,1994 $23,226(Jan1,1994-Dec31,1994) $20,763(1995)(7%TotalReturnonInvestments) Dec 31, 1995 $14,843 (Jan 1, 1995 - Dec 31, 1995) $22,864 (1996) (6.85% Total Return on Investments) Dec31,1996 $18,896(Jan1,1996-Dec31,1996) $21,139(1997)(6.125%TotalReturnonInvestments) (No financial information is listed for 1997 Dec 31, 1998 $08,696 (Jan 1, 1997 - Dec 31, 1997) $22,772 (1998) (6.44% Total Return on Investments)

NOTE (12/31/1999): Participating Bodies (58); Concordant (3); Chapters (28); Councils (13); Commanderies (14) NOTE: Early in 1995 the Trustees invested 10% of the fund value in stocks. {$34,000}

DATE ALL FUNDS STOCK VALUE PAID IN BY P. B. PAID OUT TO PARTICIPANTS April 30, 1999 $418,009 $125,699 $21,928 (1999) (6.05% Invest. Return) Dec 31, 1999 $409,845 $111,839 $06,300 $20,667 (2000) (5.1% Invest. Return) Dec 31, 2000 $432,378 $105,756 $17,328 $23,133 (2001) (6.1% Invest. Return) Dec 31, 2001 $405,123 $100,530 $15,781 $23,076 (2002) (5.312% Invest. Return) Dec 31, 2002 (Fund Balances not sated) $06,590 $19,706 (2003) (4.78% Invest. Return) Dec 31, 2003 $489,121 $111,964 (4/31/04)$1,351 ((4/31/04) $06,843 (2004) (3.42% Invest. Return) Dec 31, 2004 $494,524 $71,454 (4/31/05) $5,199 $13,316 (2005) (2.96% Invest. Return) Dec 31, 2005 $502,022 $37,148 (3/31/06) $4,394 $24,570 (2006) (5.35 % Invest. Return) Dec 31, 2006 $503,382 $40,560 (3/31/07) $4,259 $22,606 (2007) (4.67% Invest. Return) Dec 31, 2007 (EDITOR’S NOTE: I did not have a copy of the 2008 Proceedings - Data not known) Dec 31, 2008 $452,214 (Not Reported) (Not Reported) $19,485 (2009) (4.1% Invest. Return) Dec 31, 2009 $553,000 (Not Reported) (Not Reported) $16,182 (2010) (2.9% Invest. Return) Dec 31, 2010 (No financial information reported for 2011 - No Report Printed in Proceedings)

112 GRAND HIGH PRIEST DECISIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS OF HISTORICAL INTEREST

EDITOR’S NOTE: By Grand Chapter Code RECOMMENDATIONS of the Grand High Priest in his REPORT to Grand Chapter are in the form of RESOLUTIONS, which may be approved or rejected by the Grand Chapter. If the Grand Chapter approves his report without objection the RECOMMENDATIONS become part of the Code.

DECISION of MEC Milton R. Benson 1986 In two separate situations, Companions who had dual membership were elected to the offices of the King and Scribe respectively in their two Chapters. I ruled that sec. 168 and sec. 120 which states essentially that a companion cannot be high Priest or acting High Priest in more than one Chapter; and, the King and Scribe shall assume the duties and powers of the High Priest, in order of their rank, in his absence, thus being a King or Scribe puts one directly in line to assume the duty of High priest, and being King or Scribe in two Chapters simultaneously is in violation of the code. In both cases the companions resigned one station and the effected Chapters elected and installed appropriate replacements.

REPORT OF THE GRAND HIGH PRIEST MEC L. Merle Bly (Partial) 1995 1995 RECOMMENDATIONS APPROVED I realize that with the financial conditions we now face that it is not possible to do some of the things that we are aware of that should be done. However, it is my recommendation that the three York Rite bodies work together and come up with a plan to get insurance coverage in the very near future. If not, anyone of them could have a very serious problem in case of injury to a member while performing their duties. I also recommend the passage of a resolution where by a life member does not lose his membership in a Chapter where he is a life member should he be dropped from another for NPD. 1995 APPROVED CHANGE IN RITUAL: To provide that a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons may be opened when only 6 are present. Provided that 3 of which must be members of the Chapter and also provided that 9 must be present for the Conferral of Degrees.

GRAND HIGH PRIEST RECOMMENDATION IN FORM OF A MOTION ADOPTED 2001 (PRINCE HALL RECOGNIZED) To the Most Excellent Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of Washington: Whereas, the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of F&AM of Washington has given recognition to the Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge F&AM of Washington; and Whereas, the Most Excellent Prince Hall Grand Chapter HRAM Washington State and its Jurisdiction have granted the Most Excellent Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons full recognition; and Whereas, we have a letter signed by the Grand High Priest and the Price Hall Grand Chapter HRAM Washington State and its Jurisdiction requesting recognition; and Whereas, it would be a benefit to both organizations to enjoy fraternal relations with each other;

We therefore move that we grant Royal Arch recognition to the Most Excellent Prince Hall Grand Chapter HRAM of Washington and its Jurisdiction.

AN IMPORTANT BUT LITTLE NOTICED ADDITION TO THE GRAND CHAPTER CODE 2002 On June 9, 2002 Grand High Priest MEC James T. Stephens DENIED A DISPENSATION to Ellensburg #11 which had requested a Dispensation “To Open Early” so that two different bodies could do full opening. HOWEVER, the Grand High Priest ADVISED that the Chapter could be opened early PROVIDED that: “No business was transacted until the Stated Time”. This ADVICE was not objected to by the Jurisprudence Committee and as the “Denial of Dispensation” with the said ADVICE was included in the “Report of the Grand High Priest” that was “Approved by the Grand Chapter this ADVICE became an OFFICIAL part of the Grand Chapter Code.

113 RESOLUTIONS OF HISTORICAL INTEREST

Emergent Resolution #5-85 - Approved (By 3/2 Majority Vote) 1985 Amended Grand Chapter By-Laws to delete the requirement that a Certified Public Accountant verify the Grand Chapter Finances. And further provided that the Finance Committee was to have access to the “Books of The Grand Secretary” and is to prepare a “Written Annual Audit Report” for the use of The Grand Secretary, The Grand High Priest, and the Grand Chapter.

RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED 1986 - “YORK RITE LIFE MEMBERSHIP-MEMORIAL FUND” 1. To establish and adopt a Life Membership Memorial Fund for the York Rite Bodies of Washington Jurisdiction; with the provision that existing Chapter Life Membership plans existing prior to May 1986 may continue to operate as before but the Chapters were allowed to transfer those existing Life Memberships and funds to the new plan by amending their By-Laws. 2. To establish a Board of Trustees to govern the Life Membership Memorial Fund on behalf of the Grand Chapter. 3. To establish that Life Memberships in the new plan would be $100 or 15 time the Chapter Dues, whichever was greater. 4. To provide that the Interest Earnings of the new Fund would be distributed (annually) to the Chapters based on their Fund Share less operating expense not to exceed 1% of the earnings.

RESOLUTION 93-7 (HELD OVER FROM 1993) - NOT ADOPTED 1994 Statement of purpose: To withdraw the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of Washington as a member of the General Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons International. Whereas, the Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons of Washington remits as an annual Per-Capita tax to General Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons International, $.45 per member, or, for the years 1992-1993, approximately 1,441.00, and, Whereas, the Budget of Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons of Washington for the years 1990-1991 and 1991-1992 has allocated $350.00 each year for the Triennial Fund as a Travel Expense for the Grand High Priest or his representative to attend the Triennial Sessions, and, Whereas, at the Grand Sessions held in Mount Vernon, Washington, in May, 1992, the Finance Committee did not budget for a contribution to the Triennial Fund, feeling it was an expense not within the financial capabilities of this Grand Chapter, and, Whereas, our Contributions to maintain our membership in General Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons International equates to 18.6% of the income of this Grand Chapter derived from the current Per-Capita Tax of $3.00 per member, and generates a subsequent loss of income sorely needed by this Grand Chapter to balance its Budget and meet current expenses, now THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that due to these assessments and costs, the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of Washington withdraw its membership in the General Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons International, and Further, that Sections 3 and 34 of the Constitution and Code of the Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons of Washington, and, all other references contained therein to the General Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons International, be deleted in their entirety.

RESOLUTION 98-3 ADOPTED 1998 STATEMENT OF PURPOSE: To clarify the wording of the license under the non-profit laws of Washington for the York Rite Life Membership/Memorial program. Whereas, When the York Rite Life Membership/Memorial program was adopted in 1986 the word "corporation" was used at the end of the name. When the corporation filed for a license under the non profit laws of Washington RCW 24.03, it was recommended that the name "York Rite Life Membership/Memorial Foundation" be used in place of corporation. This was done in the Articles of Incorporation but not in the Code. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the following changes be made to Section 167 by deleting the word "Corporation" and inserting the word "Foundation" in the following lines: Line 5, two places; Line 7, last word in the line; Paragraph 3, line 3;Paragraph 5, line 3; Paragraph 6, line 3 and 4; Paragraph 13, line 2 and 3; Paragraph 14, line 3

114 RESOLUTION 99-11 and RESOLUTION 99-12 (Both Withdrawn) 1999 Both of these resolutions stated that the GRAND COUNCIL ROYAL AND SELECT MASTERS OF WASHINGTON had voted to surrender their Charter and merge with the GRAND CHAPTER ROYAL ARCH MASONS OF WASHINGTON provided that the Cryptic Degrees be preserved and conferred.

EDITOR’S NOTE: In digesting further remarks scattered in the 1999 Grand Chapter Proceedings, it appears that these two resolutions were ruled out of order by the Jurisprudence Committee on the grounds that the 1999 Grand Council was to convene after Grand Chapter had closed and because there was no “official” communication by the Grand Council of a desire to merge. It would appear that when the Grand Council did convene the matter was dropped or was defeated. I did not have access to the 1999 Grand Council Proceeding and therefore my reasoning here is purely speculative. I have included reference to these two resolutions as they are of historical interest in that from time to time speculation occurs on the need for a separation of the Capitular and Cryptic Degrees into two Masonic Bodies.

EMERGENT RESOLUTION #E2-00 APPROVED 2000 Now, therefore, Be It Resolved that the Washington Grand York Rite Sessions Committee be authorized to charge all members attending a flat fee of $10.00 to cover the rising costs incurred while organizing and conducting the business of the Annual Grand Sessions. The fee shall be charged to any member of this Grand Chapter in accordance with Section 15 of the Code, who wishes to take part in the activities of the Grand Chapter, including balloting on Officers and voting on Resolutions. This fee shall cover registration in any one or all three bodies of the York Rite and shall become effective for the Grand Convocation in May, 2001. If similar Resolutions are not passed in both Grand Commandery and Grand Council, then this Emergent Resolution shall become null and void.

RESOLUTION 2000-3 APPROVED 2000 SUMMARY: To allow but not require the High Priest of a Chapter to accord “The Public Grand Honors” to visiting High Priests. The Monitor wording to be changed to read: “High Priests should be assembled at the Altar and (without introduction by the escorting officer) should be conducted to the East, from which point they will be introduced. The Chapter should be called up and the appropriate honors accorded.”

RESOLUTION 2000-1 APPROVED 2000 Now, therefore, Be It Resolved that if Research Chapter does in fact receive its Charter at this Grand Convocation, its name and number shall be Research Chapter, No. 68, and should be added to Section 45 under the jurisdiction of District 8. Additionally, Research Chapter, No. 68, should be added to Trustee Area 13 and Overtake Chapter No. 67 should be moved from Area 13 to Area 12 of the Royal Arch Masons, Children's Heart Foundation, which is found in Section 325 of the Code. The results would be: Section 45: District 8: Snohomish County #15, Fellowship #61, Research #68 Section 325: Area 12: Fellowship #61, Overtake #67 Area 13: Snohomish County #15, Research #68

RESOLUTION 2001-2 ADOPTED SUMMARY: Established a Chapter Officer Proficiency Examination in Ritual Work for purpose of Recognition of Achievement - but not a requirement for Chapter Officers.

RESOLUTION 2003-04 ADOPTED SUMMARY:- Deleted MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE from the List of Standing Committee and removed the requirement of an “Annual Report” by that committee.

115 THE 49 CONSTITUENT CHAPTERS OF THE MOST EXCELLENT GRAND CHAPTER OF ROYAL ARCH MASONS OF WASHINGTON FOR THE YEAR 1984

WALLA WALLA #1 CHARTERED 1871 MEMBERSHIP 77 SPOKANE #2 CHARTERED 1883 MEMBERSHIP 149 SEATTLE #3 CHARTERED 1871 MEMBERSHIP 105 TACOMA #4 CHARTERED 1885 MEMBERSHIP 206 DAYTON #5 CHARTERED 1886 MEMBERSHIP 75 SPRAGUE #6 CHARTERED 1886 MEMBERSHIP 32 OLYMPIA #7 CHARTERED 1886 MEMBERSHIP 51 VANCOUVER #9 CHARTERED 1887 MEMBERSHIP 75 EVERGREEN #10 CHARTERED 1887 MEMBERSHIP 69 ELLENSBURG #11 CHARTERED 1887 MEMBERSHIP 62 BELLINGHAM BAY #12 CHARTERED 1889 MEMBERSHIP 83 WESTSHORE #13 CHARTERED 1891 MEMBERSHIP 80 PORT TOWNSEND #14 CHARTERED 1891 MEMBERSHIP 46 SNOHOMISH #15 CHARTERED 1891 MEMBERSHIP 61 ORIENTAL #19 CHARTERED 1897 MEMBERSHIP 172 YAKIMA #21 CHARTERED 1901 MEMBERSHIP 56 WENATCHEE #22 CHARTERED 1901 MEMBERSHIP 94 SUNSET#23 CHARTERED 1901 MEMBERSHIP 54 EVERETT #24 CHARTERED 1901 MEMBERSHIP 52 BALLARD #26 CHARTERED 1904 MEMBERSHIP 72 OLYMPUS #27 CHARTERED 1904 MEMBERSHIP 65 CARNATION #29 CHARTERED 1908 MEMBERSHIP 56 PULLMAN #31 CHARTERED 1909 MEMBERSHIP 110 UNIVERSITY #32 CHARTERED 1911 MEMBERSHIP 232 PASCO #33 CHARTERED 1912 MEMBERSHIP 178 SUNNYSIDE VALLEY #35 CHARTERED 1913 MEMBERSHIP 46 GOLDENDALE #36 CHARTERED 1913 MEMBERSHIP 29 KEYSTONE #37 CHARTERED 1913 MEMBERSHIP 81 ANGELES #38 CHARTERED 1914 MEMBERSHIP 91 ISSAQUAH #39 CHARTERED 1914 MEMBERSHIP 95 FRIENDSHIP #40 CHARTERED 1921 MEMBERSHIP 82 OKANOGAN VALLEY #41 CHARTERED 1921 MEMBERSHIP 61 ENUMCLAW #42 CHARTERED 1922 MEMBERSHIP 66 CENTRALIA #44 CHARTERED 1922 MEMBERSHIP 128 WEST SEATTLE #45 CHARTERED 1922 MEMBERSHIP 237 ROBERT B. PALMER #46 CHARTERED 1922 MEMBERSHIP 90 ELMONT #51 CHARTERED 1924 MEMBERSHIP 59 RAINIER #52 CHARTERED 1926 MEMBERSHIP 199 AMITY #53 CHARTERED 1927 MEMBERSHIP 70 FALLS CITY #54 CHARTERED 1926 MEMBERSHIP 41 LONGVIEW #55 CHARTERED 1927 MEMBERSHIP 70 LINCOLN PARK #56 CHARTERED 1927 MEMBERSHIP 97 IVANHOE #58 CHARTERED 1945 MEMBERSHIP 58 ANACORTES #59 CHARTERED 1948 MEMBERSHIP 48 COLUMBIA GORGE #60 CHARTERED 1948 MEMBERSHIP 32 FELLOWSHIP #61 CHARTERED 1949 MEMBERSHIP 88 EDMONDS #64 CHARTERED 1956 MEMBERSHIP 71 TRIPLE TAU #66 CHARTERED 1958 MEMBERSHIP 72 OVERLAKE #67 CHARTERED 1959 MEMBERSHIP 51

Membership as of December 31, 1983 - Data compiled from 1984 Grand Chapter PROCEEDINGS - Total Membership = 4,274

116 The following Chapters had either merged or surrendered Charter prior to 1984.

COLFAX #8 (Chartered 1886 - No Charter 1984) PUYALLUP #16 (Chartered 1886 - No Charter 1984) Mount Vernon #17 (Chartered 1893 - Merged into Bellingham Bay #12 in 1969) Tekoa #18 (Chartered 1893 - Surrendered Charter 1960) Coleville #20 (Chartered 1900 - Surrendered Charter 1948) Davenport #25(Chartered 1903-- No Charter 1984) Pacific #28 (Chartered 1908 - Merged into Westshore #13 in 1963) Prosser #30(Chartered 1909 - No Charter 1984) Waterville #34(Chartered 1912 - No Charter 1984) Toppenish #43(Chartered 1922 -Surrendered Charter 1939) La Crosse #47(Chartered 1923 -Surrendered Charter 1942) Robert Burns #48 (Chartered 1923 - No Charter 1984) Puyallup #49 (Chartered 1923 - Surrendered Charter 1937) Lewis #50 (Chartered 1923 - Surrendered Charter 1938) Manito #57 (Chartered 1934 - Surrendered Charter 1943) Lakeside #62 (Chartered 1951 - No Charter 1984) Richland #63 (Chartered 1954 - No Charter 1984) Washington #65 (Chartered 1957 - merged into Tacoma #4 in 1972)

The following Chapters had either merged or surrendered Charter 1985 to 2012

SEATTLE #3 SPRAGUE #6 OLYMPIA #7 WESTSHORE #13 Consolidated 1985 with Elmont #51 to Form Elmont #13. PORT TOWNSEND #14 SNOHOMISH #15 Merged 1995 Everett #24 and Edmonds #64 to form Snohomish County #15. SUNSET #23 Merged 2005 into Centralia #44. EVERETT #24 Merged 1995 with Snohomish #15 and Edmonds #64 to form Snohomish County #15. BALLARD #26 Merged 2005 into University #32. CARNATION #29 Merged 2008 into Fellowship #61. PULLMAN #31 Merged 2008 into Spokane #2. SUNNYSIDE VALLEY #35 GOLDENDALE #36 KEYSTONE #37 FRIENDSHIP #40 WEST SEATTLE #45 Merged 2002 into Triple Tau #61. ELMONT #51 Merged 1985 with Westshore #13 to form Elmont #13. RAINIER #52 Merged 2001 into Oriental #19. AMITY #53 LONGVIEW #55 LINCOLN PARK #56 Merged 2006 into Tacoma #4. IVANHOE #58 Merged into Overlake #67 (Date Unknown) COLUMBIA GORGE #60 EDMONDS #64 Merged 1995with Snohomish #15 and Everett #24 to form Snohomish County #15. OVERLAKE #67 Merged 2009 into Fellowship #61

117 THE 27 CONSTITUENT CHAPTERS OF THE MOST EXCELLENT GRAND CHAPTER OF ROYAL ARCH MASONS OF WASHINGTON FOR THE YEAR 2012

Walla Walla #1 CHARTERED 1871 MEMBERSHIP 19 Spokane #2 CHARTERED 1883 MEMBERSHIP 52 Tacoma #4 CHARTERED 1885 MEMBERSHIP 118 Dayton #5 CHARTERED 1886 MEMBERSHIP 17 Vancouver #9 CHARTERED 1887 MEMBERSHIP 45 Evergreen #10 CHARTERED 1887 MEMBERSHIP 21 Ellensburg #11 CHARTERED 1887 MEMBERSHIP 28 Bellingham Bay #12 CHARTERED 1889 MEMBERSHIP 87 Elmont #13 CHARTERED 1891 & 1985 MEMBERSHIP 60 Snohomish County #15 CHARTERED 1891 & 1995 MEMBERSHIP 49 Oriental #19 CHARTERED 1901 MEMBERSHIP 112 Yakima #21 CHARTERED 1901 MEMBERSHIP 82 Wenatchee #22 CHARTERED 1901 MEMBERSHIP 27 Olympus #27 CHARTERED 1904 MEMBERSHIP 68 University #32 CHARTERED 1911 MEMBERSHIP 57 Pasco #33 CHARTERED 1912 MEMBERSHIP 28 Angeles #38 CHARTERED 1914 MEMBERSHIP 45 Issaquah #39 CHARTERED 1914 MEMBERSHIP 48 Okanogan Valley #41 CHARTERED 1921 MEMBERSHIP 44 Enumclaw #42 CHARTERED 1922 MEMBERSHIP 56 Centralia #44 CHARTERED 1922 MEMBERSHIP 56 Robert B. Palmer #46 CHARTERED 1922 MEMBERSHIP 55 Falls City #54 CHARTERED 1926 MEMBERSHIP 35 Anacortes #59 CHARTERED 1948 MEMBERSHIP 64 Fellowship #61 CHARTERED 1949 MEMBERSHIP 99 Triple Tau #66 CHARTERED 1958 MEMBERSHIP 113 Research Chapter #68 CHARTERED 2000 MEMBERSHIP 58

Membership as of December 31, 2011 - Grand Secretary Data Compiled from 2011 Chapter Annual Reports - Total Membership = 1,543

First Open Air Degrees at Royal Arch Park July 30, 1983 The paraphernalia necessary for the Mark Master, Past Master, and Most Excellent Master was provided by their respective degree teams. West Seattle Chapter #45 and Oriental Chapter #19 provided the paraphernalia for the Royal Arch Degree. The sound system was provided by MEC Robert Edward Truesdale. Prior to opening the session, doughnuts and coffee were served by the Grand Officers Ladies. West Seattle Chapter #45 was opened at 7:30 am - Companion Dean Goff, Acting High Priest, presiding. Immediately after opening, Companion Dean relinquished the gavel to MEC Robert Edward Truesdale who then opened Grand Chapter in Ample Form. The Mark Master degree was conferred by District #5 under the direction of VEC Allan Ausman, District Deputy. The Past Master degree was conferred by District #16 under the direction of VEC Robert E. Hart, District Deputy. The Most Excellent Master degree was conferred by District #16 under the direction of VEC William G. Wehmeyer. The Royal Arch degree was conferred by Grand High Priests under the direction of MEC Robert Edward Truesdale. Following the degree work, a day of picnicking and a delicious dinner was enjoyed by all. EDITOR’S NOTE: The 1984 Proceedings as printed say: “Starting at 7:30 pm. The Chapter was opened by … “. I believe the “7:30 pm” opening time to be a misprint and I have changed this to “7:30 am” in this article.

118 HISTORY OF THE 68 CONSTITUENT CHAPTERS 1884-2012 OF THE MOST EXCELLENT GRAND CHAPTER OF ROYAL ARCH MASONS OF WASHINGTON ------

WALLA WALLA # 1 On February 13, 1871, a Dispensation was issued to Walla Walla Chapter No. 2 by the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, and on September 20, 1871, the charter was approved. The original No. 1 Chapter was Seattle, chartered either in 1869 or 1872 (there seems to be a discrepancy as to the date). However, in 1874 this charter was revoked. In 1877, Walla Walla Chapter No. 2 requested that their number be changed and they were given No. 1 by the General Grand Chapter in 1880 (see appendix). The Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Washington was consummated with Walla Walla Chapter No. 1, Spokane Chapter No. 2, and Seattle Chapter No. 3, on Friday, June 6, 1884.

Following is a thumbnail sketch of the history of Walla Walla Chapter No. 1 as extracted from the minutes.

Prominent Names The Charter members and the early petitioners were most of the prominent members of Walla Walla Lodge No. 7 and Blue Mountain Lodge No. 13, both F.&A.M. Some had withdrawn from No. 7 and became charter members of No. 13. Excellent Companion and Most Worshipful Brother Ralph Guichard served both lodges as secretary the year that Blue Mountain Lodge was formed, and later became secretary of Walla Walla Chapter No. 1. He was a good secretary and a fine penman. Legend has it that Companion Guichard was of the Roman Catholic faith, and after the issuance of a papal edict he dropped all his Masonic connections.

7/10/1873: The name of Companion Cock first appears in the minutes. He is listed as "Capt. of the 2nd Veil." Companion Cock is frequently mentioned in the early history of Walla Walla Lodge No. 7 and in the formation of Olympia Lodge No. 1. 7/24/1873: Brother 0. P. Lacy, later to become Grand Master of Masons in Washington, petitioned for the degrees of the Royal Arch. Companion N. T. Caton, a charter member, served as Excellent. High Priest from January 1877 through 1882, and only missed eight meetings of his chapter. 10/22/1885: Brother Yancy C. Blalock, later Grand Master of Masons of Washington, petitioned for the degrees of the Royal Arch. 10/22/1891: The passing of Most Excellent Companion Andrew McCalley was noted by copies of resolutions of condolence by this chapter and by the Grand Chapter copied into the minute book. The gold jewels of Walla Walla Chapter were given it by Most Excellent Companion McCalley, and are kept in the vault, and produced at the annual installation. 4/22/1897: The application was received from Brother Levi P. Ankeny and by special dispensation of the Grand High Priest he was elected, advanced to the degree of Mark Master, inducted into the Oriental chair, and acknowledged Most Excellent Master. Most Worshipful Brother and Companion Ankeny was Worshipful Master of Walla Walla Lodge No. 7 in 1882 and Grand Master in 1883 and 1884. He later served the State of Washington as United States Senator. 3/19/02: Brother George P. Malcolm received the Mark Master degree and was exalted on March 26 with the Grand High Priest present. Companion Malcolm was installed as Scribe January 14, 1903. 10/25/05: Notice was received of the death of Most Excellent Companion Thomas Milburn Reed, past Grant High Priest and first Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Washington Territory in 1858 and thereafter. He held that office until 1862, when he was elected Grand Master. He served two years as Grand Master and was reelected Grand Secretary in November 1865, re-elected Grand Master in 1866, and re-elected Grand Secretary again in 1867 and held that office until his death in 1905. Very likely this is an unmatched record in any Grand Lodge—a total of three years as Grand Master and 43 years as Grand Secretary. He was also the first Grand Secretary of the Grand Chapter in 1884 and served in that capacity five years, then being elected Grand High Priest. He was also Grand Recorder of the Grand Commandery, Knights Templar, in 1888 and 1889. His picture and a printed history of his life are made a part of the minutes of the chapter. 2/12/08: The name of Most Worthy George R. Malcolm appears as Secretary of Walla Walla Chapter.

119 12/22/09: Most Worthy Yancey Blalock, Grand Secretary, F.&A.M., is installed as Captain of the Host. 4/13/21: The Chapter paid a bill for $7.50 for flowers for a floral pillow for Levi Ankeny, who passed away in Walla Walla March 21, 1921. No other mention is made of his death, notwithstanding long resolutions have been incorporated in the minutes upon the death of far less worthy and distinguished companions. 5/25/21: A special committee was appointed to act in connection with like committees regarding the funeral expenses of our Most Excellent Companion Yancey C. Blalock. He served the Grand Chapter as Grand Secretary from 1889 until his death. Walla Walla Chapter No. 1 paid Blue Mountain Lodge $117.50 as their share of the funeral expenses. 2/13/35: Petition for degrees received from Brother Virgil Davin who became Excellent High Priest of the chapter and later Grand High Priest. 2/8/39: Brother John A. Emigh petitioned for the chapter degrees. He was elected Grand Master in 1941. 4/10/40: Companion Sam Page gave an interesting account of Freemasonry in Kentucky and of his life in that state. E. C. Davin was High Priest at this time.

Charity 3/24/1877: It was voted to donate $25 to a companion who was sick and unable to be about. 3/13/1879: A sojourning companion applied for enough money to take him to Portland. Upon motion he was voted $15. 3/3/1884: The Excellent High Priest was authorized to visit the widow of our late Companion, Henry Howard, and ascertain the amount of the funeral expenses and if he deemed it necessary to pay the same from the chapter funds. This is the same companion who gave the chapter a note for $500 on January 28, 1884. 11/13/1884: The Chapter donated $10 to a Worthy Past Grand Master of Kansas. 12/10/1885: The Chapter approved the action of the Excellent High Priest in using chapter funds to assist a companion from Vicksburg. 1/26/1888: A committee was appointed to inquire into the condition of a companion Johnson and grant relief as they saw fit. The committee reported back February 23 that the companion was bordering on insanity and recommended he be sent to the insane asylum. Companion Yancey Blalock was appointed to take charge of the matter. The Chapter paid a hotel bill of $29.25 for this companion. 8/23/1893: The Chapter paid a nursing bill of $27 for a companion. Also at this convocation $10 each was given to two companions. The hard times of 1893 had reached the West, which fact is also reflected in the dues reports to the Secretary. 6/10/1893: The action of the Excellent High Priest in employing a nurse, in connection with Washington Commandery No. 1, K.T., for a companion, was confirmed. 2/9/1899: Twenty dollars was appropriated for the relief of the family of a deceased companion. 12/9/1903: The Chapter gave $50 to the relief of the victims of the Heppner, Oregon, flood. 5/22/12: A companion who lost his hand was given $100 and his dues remitted. 12/24/19: A letter was received from a companion who had moved to Portland in regards to a loan of $40 made to him. Upon motion the loan was cancelled. 1/28/31: The Chapter voted to take over the indebtedness of a companion who had a mortgage on his furniture of $72. This is early in the depression of the thirties. During both World Wars, the Chapter was a heavy investor in War Bonds and made donations for relief of war victims, and also remitted the dues of their members who were in service.

Meeting Places 7/10/1872: A committee from Walla Walla Lodge No. 7 stated that the Chapter would be charged $4 per month in addition to their regular rent to help pay for a "porter" to keep the hall in good condition. Upon motion the extra charge was accepted. 11/28/1872: A committee from the Chapter is dickering with both Walla Walla Lodge No. 7 and the "Good Templars" in regards to renting a meeting place. On 1/9/1873 the committee reported that Walla Walla Lodge No. 7 would rent their hall for $20 per month, and that the "Good Templars" would rent theirs for $2 per month with heat and lights furnished. It was voted to accept the offer of the "Good Templars." At the next convocation, January 23, a communication was read from Walla Walla Lodge No. 7 offering to rent their hall for $15 per month including light and fuel. The communication was ordered placed on file. The motion to rent from the "Good Templars" was reconsidered and rescinded. Motion was then- made to rent from No. 7, which on vote was carried.

120 1/11/1883: A committee was appointed to "inquire into the feasibility of erecting a building and securing a lot for the same" 2/22/1883: Upon motion the chapter subscribed $5,000 for stock in the new Temple. 9/23/1903: The Chapter voted unanimously to move back to the hall of Enterprise Lodge, I.O.O.F., at Fifth and Main. The Hall Committee was instructed to enter into a contract for three years. 12/13/05: The chapter voted unanimously to move into the new Temple, when it was completed. 2/28/06: Companion Frankland was appointed a committee to assist in the dedication of the Temple. The Chapter voted to pay $116.68 as one-third of the expenses of the Temple dedication. (This building is now known as the Copeland Building.) 6/13/51: Excellent Companion Onstine made an interesting report on the building of the new Temple, Excellent Companion Onstine reported that the cornerstone of the new Temple would be laid October 27, 1951. 2/13/52: It was moved and carried that we hold a dedicatory service for the new Temple March 26, 1952, to be preceded by a no-host dinner.

Special Events 8/25/1884: A committee was appointed to arrange for the reception of the officers of the Grand Chapter. (There have been no minutes telling of the formation of a Grand Chapter.) 10/4/1884: Big meeting/visitors registered. Royal Arch degree conferred. 11/13/1884: A letter from Excellent Companion Reed was read officially notifying the chapter that a Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons for the Territory of Washington had been duly formed at Walla Walla, W.T., October 2 and 3, 1884. Without this letter we would have been left completely in the dark about any such important meeting being held here. It also reveals that Companion Ziegler of Spokane was elected Grand High Priest. 10/15/1913: A special convocation of the Grand Chapter was convened here to install Companion Haynes as Grand Sentinel, Excellent Companion Blalock being the installing officer. 5/21/21: At this convocation two weeks after the death of Most Excellent Companion Blalock, Pasco Chapter conferred the Royal Arch degree before a large number of companions. Refreshments cost $50 and cigars $11.50. 2/17/22: Received an official visit from Grand High Priest Arnsten. His hotel bill was $2.50. Refreshments for the evening $54.80 and cigars $12.25. 5/23/23: The Grand High Priest Cary S. Haynes, a member of this chapter, who was installed as Grand Sentinel on 10/15/13, made his official visit, and on December 25, made another official visit, and installed the officers of the chapter. 12/9/25: In connection with the stated convocation, a special convocation of the Grand Chapter of Washington was held to install Companion S. A. Church as High Priest at Mt. Hood Chapter of Portland, Oregon, as their other officers could not be installed before their High Priest was. Excellent Companion Williams, Grand Master of the Third Veil, acted as installing officer. 5/28/30: The King reported on his visit to the combined Grand Chapter and General Grand Chapter at Seattle, Washington, and advised the members that the next Grand Convocation would be here. A start was made towards raising $500 for the purpose of entertaining them. 5/27/31: Excellent Companion W. P. Williams, General Chairman of the Sessions Committees for the Grand Convoca- tion held in Walla Walla earlier in the month, returned to the Chapter $61.75 balance of funds appropriated for entertaining the Grand Chapter. He was elected Deputy Grand High Priest. Walla Walla Chapter voted to give a Life Membership to R. Excellent Companion Williams and Most Excellent Companion Haynes. 5/19/39: A special convocation was held at Pendleton, Oregon, under special dispensation of both the Oregon and Washington Grand Chapters, to confer the Royal Arch degree on a Pendleton candidate. The chapter was opened by Grand High Priest Molesworth of the Oregon Grand Chapter. The Royal Arch degree was conferred by Walla Walla Chapter "in full regalia." 10/11/44: Visitors included many Companions from other jurisdictions because of the Army and Air Corps stationed here. A Companion Kitchner from New Zealand spoke on Masonry there and in Great Britain, where he visited much. 5/28/47: Our own Excellent Companion Virgil Davin has been elected Grand High Priest and was introduced as such for the first time. 4/17/48: A special convocation was sponsored by the King County Royal Arch Association to honor Most Excellent Companion Davin. Many dignitaries were introduced. Most Excellent Companion Steffy, Grand Secretary, acted as Master of Ceremonies. Walla Walla No. 1 was presented with a trophy to be retained a short time, as was being done by Amity Chapter on occasions of friendship visits.

121 10/24/51: Grand High Priest Don Rogers was received with private Grand Honors. 1/9/52: A committee was appointed to make arrangements for the Grand Convocation of York Rite bodies to be held here in May. 5/28/52: Most excellent Companion Davin reported that Most Worshipful Brother and Companion George R. Malcolm had been awarded the Medal of Honor. 5/28/58: The Chapter has invited the Grand York Rite bodies to meet here in May 1959 to celebrate the 75th Anniver- sary of the Grand Chapter. 1959: A most successful Grand Session was held. The committee on meals headed by Excellent Companion Stewart Baker cleared enough money to take care of the chapter's part of installing the air conditioning in the Temple.

By-Laws 12/26/1872: Amendment to the by-Laws was introduced to lower fees for the degree from $80 to $60. Adopted 1/9/1873. 2/26/1874: Amendment introduced to change dues from $1 per month to fifty cents. Adopted 3/12/1874. 1/11/1877: Amendment offered to lower dues from 50¢ per month to 25¢. per month effective 1/1/1877. Adopted 1/25/1877.

Troubles The path of the Chapter has not been one continuous path through pleasant fields. In 1875 the Captain of the Host preferred charges against a Companion, J. G., and a trial was held at which the companion plead guilty and was given a reprimand before the chapter. In February 1885, the Excellent High Priest said that after consulting with other companions he had summoned Companions W. and S. to appear at the next convocation to see if their difficulties could not be amicably adjusted, where- upon Companion W. openly apologized to Companion S. and to the chapter. 1/14/1887: It was voted that Companion L. be allowed to appear in the Chapter at the next stated convocation and apologize for his past conduct. Fourteen months later a Companion who had been stopped from advancement in 1885 had charges preferred against him and he was tried and found not guilty. He was again put on trial and plead guilty and was given a reprimand in the chapter. 4/14/1887: Very few rejections have been reported, but now, only five weeks after the above trial, the minutes show four petitioners were rejected. A companion was excused from voting on one candidate, but he was rejected nevertheless. 6/14/09: Three petitions were voted on and all three were rejected—the first rejections in a long time.

First Happenings The first exaltations took place just two weeks after the first convocation. 4/27/1875: Companion R. was dropped NPD, the first mention of such action. On July 8, his dues were remitted and he was given a demit. He was an officer of the chapter before he became a member by affiliation in 1872. 3/27/1879: The first mention of a Scottish Rite body appears in the minutes when the chapter voted to allow the Scot- tish Rite to use the Temple on the chapter's next meeting night. The Scottish Rite was then four years old. 9/22/1881: The chapter, although not meeting, reported the receipt of a letter from Companion Louis Zeigler of Spokane Falls, requesting a recommendation for a Chapter to be formed at that place. Excellent High Priest Caton granted his request subject to ratification of our Chapter at its next convocation. Nothing further is mentioned of his request or the action of the High Priest. On motion, the secretary was ordered to purchase a suitable Bible, square, and compasses. The minutes do not specify whether it was for the chapter or for the proposed chapter at Spokane Falls. 10/10/1883: This is the first time the minutes mention conferring the Royal Arch degree upon just one candidate and no substitutes mentioned. 3/13/1884: The first step toward forming a Grand Chapter for the Territory of Washington was taken when the council was instructed to correspond with the councils of other chapters of Washington Territory and to get their ideas on forming the same. The other chapters were at Seattle and Spokane Falls.

122 7/12/1884: Three resolutions were passed relative to forming a Grand Chapter, and two companions were paid expense money of $31.60 for their trip to Spokane Falls. One resolution specified that this chapter was to retain its number one. 12/14/1885: This Chapter was requested to sponsor a Chapter at Dayton. Request was granted. 5/24/1922: Brother Robert Kirk of Cambuslang, Scotland, was in waiting and desired to be hailed as a Past Master. He was "duly presented, obligated, and instructed as such."

Growth On December 7, 1880, the minutes state the Tyler was absent, and the Great Lights being in his possession the chapter was not opened. There were short periods for which there are no minutes because convocations were not held. January 8, 1941: The Chapter began to feel another surge of growth after passing through a period of almost stagnation. The Chapter had a decade of good growth. The good periods were mixed with periods of bad times, Odd or Unusual On June 13, 1871, appears the notation, "Brother Fred Stine, having previously had the degree of Past Master conferred upon him by the Gr. Lodge of F.&A.M. of Wash. Ty., received the charge with Bros. Stenzil and Whitman." 6/13/1871: Companion Elmer was ordered to get a can of coal oil. 1/22/1874: Petitions were received from the third and fourth ministers of local churches within a period of six months. 4/9/1874: The Chapter received a bill for $7.121 for refreshments. The bit was in common use then. 11/1/1874: The Chapter paid a bill of 37it for one pound of candles. A lot of candles when they were supposed to be using coal oil. 11/26/75: Portland Chapter No. 3 requested permission to confer the degrees upon a brother from Kalama. Permission granted. Walla Walla had a mighty large jurisdiction in those days. 3/9/1876: Permission was requested from this Chapter to confer degrees upon Brother Morris and any other proper material in that section of Idaho Territory. Permission was granted as to Brother Morris, but no blanket permission was granted. 5/23/78: A waiver was granted to Portland Chapter No. 3 to confer degrees on Brother Davidson from Washington Lodge No. 4 at Vancouver, W.T. Later a waiver was granted for Brother McEllory of Olympia Lodge No. 1. 11/13/1879: Boise Chapter No. 3 requested that our Chapter confer the degrees on two of their candidates as a courtesy. However, the degrees were not conferred until March 15, 16, and 18, as the chapter held no convocations between December 25, 1879, and March 15, 1880. 1/18/1883: It is noted that two candidates paid their Most Excellent Master fees of $20 on the night they were exalted. It was a common thing then to divide the fees. 5/29/1884: The minutes show that a Mark Master was elected to, introduced, and presided in the Oriental Chair. At that time the Chapter balloted separately for each degree, which was also the practice at that time in the Lodges. 6/11/1885: The Excellent High Priest announced that there was a companion from California who was gambling in Walla Walla and appointed a committee to wait on the said Companion "and inform him that he must quit gambling or he was not one of us." 11/12/1913: The chapter paid the hotel bill of the Grand High Priest on the occasion of his visit September 10. The bill was $1.50. Six months later another Grand High Priest visited and his hotel bill at the same hotel was $11.75.

123 CORRESPONDENCE REGARDING DATE OF WALLA WALLA # 1 ORGANIZATION

The General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons Organized October 24, 1797 Chas. K.A. McGaughey General Grand Secretary 694 New Circle Road NE Lexington, KY 40505

January 7, 1964

Mr. Walter H. Steffey 2323 East 127th Street Seattle 55, Washington

Dear Walter:

In reply to your letter of December 26th, I asked Mrs. Rawlings to check this information out for you and here is what she came up with.

Actually, it seems that on February 13, 1871 a dispensation was issued to Walla Walla Chapter No. 2 and on September 20, 1871, the charter was approved. The original No. 1 Chapter was Seattle which was chartered in 1872, however in 1874 this charter was revoked.

In 1877, Walla Walla Chapter No. 2 requested that their number be changed and they were given No. 1. This change was approved by General Grand Chapter in 1880.

Thus it appears that the organization of your Grand Chapter was consummated with Walla Walla Chapter No. 1, Spokane Chapter No. 2, and Seattle Chapter No. 3, on Friday, June 6, 1884.

Walter, I hope that this information is what you wanted. With cordial personal regards, I remain

Fraternally Yours, Chas. K. A. McGaughey General Grand Secretary ======

WALTER H. STEFFEY, P. G. H. P. GRAND SECRETARY The Most Excellent Grand. Chapter Royal Arch Masons of Washington

OFFICE OF GRAND SECRETARY 2323 N. E. 127TH Sr. SEATTLE 55. WASHINGTON

Jan. 14,1964

Mr. Henry Nolan,Secretary, Walla Walla Chapter No. 1,R.A.M., Walla Walla,Wash.

Dear Companion Nolan:-

I , am enclosing herewith a letter received from the General Grand Secretary in which he sets forth the date when Walla Walla Chapter was constituted. Seattle Chanter however was constituted in 1869 but the charter was revoked and Walla Walla given the number one. There seems to be some discrepancy in the date which he assigns, to Seattle Chapter.The history of Royal Arch I•`.asonry written by Ray Denslow,gives the date of the constitution of Seattle Chapter during 1869.1 would be inclined to follow Denslow as he was one of our greatest Royal Arch historians. I trust that this information will be of some value to your Chapter. With kindest regards,I am Fraternally yours,

Walter H. Steffey, Grand Secretary.

124 SPOKANE #2 Spokane Chapter No. 2 is one of the three chapters in the state to hold a charter from the General Grand Chapter, dating from August 15, 1883. This was some time before the formation of the Grand Chapter of the Royal Arch Masons of Washington. Many of the early workers in this formation were members of Spokane Chapter. As a matter of fact, that first Grand High Priest was Louis Ziegler, a prominent businessman of Spokane. After formation of our Grand Chapter, Fred Furth was High Priest and the membership was 32. Many of their members are directly connected with the history of this Grand Jurisdiction. The chapter has the distinction of having had eight of its members serve as Grand High Priest.

SEATTLE #3 Eleven years after the Grand Lodge of Washington was organized, several masons attempted to form a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in Seattle. On November 1, 1869 they received a Dispensation from the General Grand Chapter to form a Chapter, with Daniel Bagley, as High Priest; Ilas F. Roberts as King; and Thomas M. Reed as Secretary. These companions along with a constitutional number of companions were then authorized to form a chapter in Seattle, Washington Territory, under the name of Seattle Royal Arch Chapter No. 1. A charter was granted on September 20, 1871 but was never delivered due to a dispute which disrupted the fledgling chapter and split the membership into two factions. Because these companions could not resolve their differences, the General Grand Chapter suspended this charter on September 20, 1874. Two brethren whose names were mentioned as charter members of the attempted start-up of a chapter of Royal Arch Masons in Seattle were: Henry Yesler and David Swinton (Doc) Maynard. These two brother masons were early pioneers in the Seattle area and were instrumental in developing the city of Seattle. Unfortunately, their names disappeared from the rolls as members of a Royal Arch Chapter after the Seattle Chapter No. 1 charter was suspended in 1874. In 1882, a group of around 34 masons met in a room over the Yesler mill in Seattle, with Brother Edward S. Ingraham chosen to preside with the intent of forming once again, a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in the city of Seattle. Edward S. Ingraham was elected High Priest; William W. Poole, King; and Henry F. Philips, Scribe. These 3 were charter members of the original group which was the short lived Seattle Chapter No. 1. They once again petitioned the General Grand Chapter to be allowed to form a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in Seattle. On January 2, 1883 Seattle Chapter received a Dispensation from the General Grand Chapter, and was chartered and duly constituted on August 15, 1883, by Most Excellent Companion Theodore Parvin, Past Grand High Priest of Iowa, in San Francisco, California. Of interest is that Walla Walla Chapter No. 1 (having been re-numbered after Seattle’s charter was suspended) and Spokane Chapter No.2 also received their charters at the same time. This time Seattle Chapter No. 3 (having been renumbered from #1) was successfully launched and survived well into the first part of the 21st century. On June 5, 1884, representatives from Seattle Chapter No. 3, Walla Walla Chapter No. 1, and Spokane Chapter No. 2 met in convention at the Masonic Hall in Spokane Falls, Washington to work out the details of forming a Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in the Territory of Washington. Companion William W. Poole was present and had full power to speak for Seattle Chapter No. 3. On the second day of deliberation, June 6, 1884, Companion Poole was joined by companions William A. Fairweather who held a proxy for the High Priest and Companion F. Furth who held a proxy for the Scribe. At the end of this session, Companion Poole was assigned to a committee to report on a Constitution and code of By-Laws for the government of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the Territory of Washington. On June 7, 1884 this committee gave its report which was unanimously adopted by the representatives of the three chapters. The chapter representatives then proceeded to elect officers for the newly formed Grand Chapter who were to preside until official endorsement and approval of the new body was received from the General Grand Chapter. On October 2, 1884 the 3 chapters reassembled in the city of Walla Walla, Washington for the purpose of receiving a response from the Most Excellent General Grand High Priest of the General Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the United States of America. Upon receiving the approval of General Grand Chapter, the assembly went to work and ratified and endorsed the actions of the June convention. Right Excellent Companion Andrew McCalley, Special Deputy of the General Grand High Priest installed the new Grand Chapter Officers and proclaimed that the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons for the Territory of Washington was duly constituted. The following members of Seattle Chapter No. 3 were installed in the Grand Line of the first Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in the Territory of Washington: Excellent Companion William W. Poole, Grand King; Excellent Companion Edward S. Ingraham, Grand Treasurer; Excellent Companion George Kinnear, Grand Royal Arch Captain; Excellent Companion Henry Gormley, Grand Master 1st Veil; and Excellent Companion Henry F. Phillips, Grand Tyler.

125 So began the long history of a chapter whose fellowship lasted 120 years of outstanding Royal Arch Masonry. They celebrated their Centennial Anniversary on September 5, 1983. Seattle Chapter No. 3 reached its peak membership in 1926 with 1,000 members on the rolls but the membership had decreased to the low 40’s when they merged with West Seattle Chapter no. 45 in 2004. Seattle Chapter No. 3 held their meetings at the Yesler mill from 1882 until 1885, and then moved to the Masonic Temple at Second and Pike. In 1889 the Masonic Temple was destroyed by fire along with a good portion of Seattle. The fire destroyed all records of Seattle Chapter, including its charter. They then moved to a building at First and Bell and remained there until 1915. The Chapter then moved to the Masonic Temple at Harvard and Pine. In 1957 they moved to Queen Anne Temple and remained there until 1963. They then moved to the Scottish Rite Temple on Broadway. In 1987 the By-Laws were changed to move the place of meeting from the Scottish Rite Temple to the main Masonic Temple. The last move was when they merged with West Seattle Chapter No. 45 who met at the Alki Masonic Temple in West Seattle. A duplicate charter was issued to Seattle No. 3 at the Grand Convocation in Olympia, Washington, on June 6, 1898, to replace the original charter lost in the great fire. This charter was signed by Grand High Priest Most Excellent Companion William A. Fairweather and Deputy Grand High Priest Right Excellent Companion William V. Rhinehart. Excellent Companion A. L. Spencer was the High Priest of Seattle Chapter No. 3 at this Grand Convocation. Many companions of Seattle Chapter No. 3 have served as Grand Chapter officers and committeemen into the 20th century. Excellent Companion Edward S. Ingraham, the first High Priest of Seattle Chapter No. 3 was elected Grand Treasurer in 1885, 1886 and 1887. Excellent Companion William W. Poole was elected as Grand King in 1884 and was Deputy Grand High Priest in 1885 when illness and death intervened. Seattle Chapter No. 3 High Priests to have served as Grand High Priest were: in 1890, Most Excellent Companion William V. Rhinehart, in 1903, Most Excellent Companion John N. Prather, in 1945, Most Excellent Companion Schadrach Evans, and in 1972, Most Excellent Companion Walter J. Taber. Seattle Chapter members receiving the General Grand Chapter Distinguished Service Award are: Excellent Companion Robert H. Hughes, presented at the Grand Convocation at Everett, Washington in 1967 and Excellent Companion Jurie B. Smith, which was presented at Grand Chapter Convocation at Vancouver, Washington, in 1980. Members of Seattle No. 3 who have been recognized for outstanding service to Masonry: Chapter Activities: William Hawkins 1986 – 1987 Membership: Leonard W. Luchau 1990 – 1991 Grand Organist: Grant E. Cox 1992 – 1993 Grand Sentinel: William McCallum 1992 – 1993; Timothy F. Hurley 1998 – 2000 Seattle Chapter No. 3 has sponsored several Chapters through the years. In 1879, Seattle Chapter sponsored Oriental Chapter No. 19. In 1920 it sponsored Friendship Chapter No. 40 and in 1926 it sponsored Rainier Chapter No. 52. On September 20, 1983 a Dispensation was granted by MEC Robert E. Trusdale for Seattle #3 and University #32 to hold a joint Centennial co-operative meeting to Ballot on and confer the Royal Arch degrees on the Centennial Class of Seattle #3. In 1991, in an effort to keep the chapter viable, they submitted a request to the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Washing to change their by-laws to decrease the number of required convocations to 5 a year. This action came about due to a steady decrease of members on their roster and active participation. The membership was reported as 154 but very few active members. On April 6, 1992 a change in the By-Laws was approved by MEC James S. Stoakes to decrease the number of meetings to November, January, March, May, and September. On November 25, 1992 a Dispensation was granted by MEC Albert W. Shaw to allow a Special Convocation at Nile Temple. On November 2, 1994 a Dispensation was granted by MEC Larry Merle Bly to hold a joint Installation of Officers at West Seattle #45. The history of Seattle Chapter No. 3 ended in 2002 when it consolidated with West Seattle Chapter No. 45. The last High Priest of this chapter, EC Timothy Hurley surrendered its charter to the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons and closed its great lights forever. The last membership count was reported as 32.

EDITORS NOTE: The history of Seattle #3 has been completely reworked from that printed in the 1984 edition of the Keystone to include much new material.

126 TACOMA #4 In 1961 Grand Historian Comp. Elmer C. Jensen reported that: "Tacoma Chapter No. 4 was granted its dispensation on May 10, 1884. All preceding dispensations and charters were granted by the General Grand Chapter, but on June 5, 1884, the chapters of Washington Territory met at Spokane Falls to formulate plans for the Grand Chapter of Washington. As a result of this meeting the chapters on October 2, 1884, met at Walla Walla, at which time a communication from the General Grand High Priest was read consenting to the organization of the Grand Chapter of Washington. Following, the Grand Chapter of Washington was duly organized, elected, and installed the officers, adopted its constitution and by-laws, thus putting the chapters of Washington Territory under its jurisdiction. The following day the Grand Chapter issued new charters to the three existing chapters and requested surrender of their original charters. On June 4, 1885, Tacoma Chapter No. 4 was issued its charter from the Grand Chapter of Washington, thus holding the distinction of being the first chapter receiving its original charter from the Grand Chapter of Washington. The charter is dated June 4, 1885. The first Grand Chapter Convocation was held in Tacoma June 2, 1885, and the delegates from Tacoma Chapter were invited to be present and accepted but those invited were not permitted to vote. The three principal officers named in the charter were: High Priest, Henry Drum; King, D. H. Lovejoy; and Scribe, E. G. Bacon. The charter was signed by Louis Ziegler as Grand High Priest and contained the names of twenty-two members. The list included the names of men famous for their contributions to the community and to Masonry including but not limited to E. R. Hare, afterward Grand High Priest; Allen Mason, who was one of the developers of the North End of Tacoma and after whom a school is named; W. J. Thompson, who became a Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge; David Lister; and Henry L. Volaw. A beautifully illustrated Bible became the property of the chapter and is still in use. In 1903 the Tacoma Masonic Temple was dedicated and the cornerstone was laid. The dedication address was given by President Brother Theodore Roosevelt. It was the home of Tacoma Chapter No. 4 Royal Arch Masons. In 1927 Most Excellent Companion James H. McCormack made the first official visit to the Grand Chapter of British Columbia, and this has been continued ever since. The matter of adoption of State Rituals was first discussed at the fifth convocation, and nearly every year was rediscussed until finally a State Ritual was adopted during Most Excellent Companion Carl Swanson's year, 1950. In 1943 the Grand High Priest, Most Excellent Companion William 0. Warn, reported: "On March 16, 1943, I accompanied W. S. McCrea, Sovereign Grand Inspector General in the State of Washington, to Tacoma, as a special guest at the Tenth Annual All Masonic Night. Invitations to this meeting were sent to the Masters and Wardens of the various Blue Lodges in that district, and special honor went to the Grand Lodge Officers, Grand Officers of York Rite Bodies, and Scottish Rite Bodies. I was courteously called upon to make a few remarks, and Most Worshipful William J. Stedman, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge Free and Accepted Masons of Washington, principal speaker, gave a stirring address. In the afternoon I was greeted at my hotel room by a group of chapter Masons from Tacoma, and we had a very enjoyable and profitable visit." On November 8, 1947, the Chapters of Tacoma played host to the chapters throughout the state for conferring the Most Excellent Master Degree. Twenty-two chapters brought candidates to receive the work, which was conferred in the hall of Tacoma Chapter No. 4 Royal Arch Masons. Tacoma Chapter No. 4 received a special dispensation to open a special communication at the Royal Arch picnic in Kaner Flats, Chinook Pass. Again, on October 9, 1948, the Most excellent Master Degree was conferred in Tacoma Chapter's hall at a statewide meeting, participated in by about twenty chapters and fifty candidates. A list of the Grand Chapter officers present included the Grand Orator, Ceil Ward, and Orin Parks, Grand Sentinel. In 1950, our Past High Priest, Companion Carl L. Swanson, assumed the gavel of Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Washington. In 1951, his report included: “The contribution to the Masonic Home Endowment Fund was received far beyond my expectations. According to a report from the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge fifty of fifty-two chapters have contributed. Some chapters were making monthly contributions. In some instances, the chapters made contributions through the free-will offerings of its members. I am sorry that we did not have a 100 percent donation. I can think of no finer method of bringing us closer to the Symbolic Lodge then by the support of this most worthy cause. "One of the highlights of the year was the conferring of the Royal Arch Degree on March 23, 1951, upon a class of twenty-three candidates in University Chapter. Our Grand Master of Masons in Washington, Most Worshipful Brother Gail Huhn, was the active candidate. I believe that this is the first time an incumbent Grand Master has completed his Ancient Craft Masonry while in office. "On October 14, 1950, my own Chapter entertained the Past Grand High Priests and me. It was a wonderful evening with practically all of the Past Grands and nearly all of the Grand Officers and District Deputies present. Also present were Herbert White, Grand High Priest of Oregon,

127 and several members of his staff. The highlight of the evening was when, on behalf of the Grand Chapter of New York, I presented a fifty-year button to Excellent Companion Stafford, who served his Chapter in New York City as High Priest fifty- three years ago. During the years since 1898, he has been in the army as a physician under General Arthur McArthur, and later under General Douglas MacArthur. During World War II, he was captured by the Japanese and spent years in a concentration camp. At their hands, he was tortured and his eyes and ears misused. Yet his sense of humor was magnificent. Hardly a dry eye was seen in the room as he made his response. When he stood up to leave, every person in the room arose as a salute to this wonderful Mason. It was an event which I shall not soon forget." In 1952, the Grand High Priest, Most Excellent Companion Donald C. Rogers, reported: "April 7. Tacoma Chapter No. 4. I had the pleasure of witnessing the Most Excellent Masters Degree conferred in an excellent manner by Excellent Companion Mike Drosethes. He is a pleasure to hear." The Grand Historian, Charles Cummings, for his report on the biographies of the living Past Grand High Priests in 1956 said: "Most Excellent Companion Carl L. Swanson, born November 15, 1900, at Leadville, Colorado, educated in Tacoma public schools, is a cost accountant. Married Hattie M. Felton, October 14, 1937, member First Lutheran Church, and holds various church offices. "Carl was raised a Master Mason in Destiny Lodge No. 197, April 5, 1924, Tacoma, and he is also a charter member of Constellation Lodge No. 266, Seattle. Exalted in Oriental Chapter No. 19, Seattle, now a member of Tacoma No. 4; was High Priest in 1944. After serving in several Grand Offices, Carl was elected Grand High Priest in 1950, served a very active year. Visiting many other jurisdictions, as well as most chapters in the state. A number of outstanding events took place during his year as Grand High Priest—the adoption of our new Rituals and approval of the Code and Monitor. He conferred the Royal Arch Degree on Grand Master of Washington, Most Worshipful Gail Huhn, all his Grand Officers were installed in Spokane, by General Grand High Priest Earl Dusenberry. First Mark Master Degree in open at Tenino Quarry by Centralia and Sunset Chapters. Adoption of Officers' School of Instruction and last but not least the 'Fun' Degree for the widows of Royal Arch Masons. Carl, like most Past Grand High Priests, has not quit work. He is still very active in Grand Chapter, having served on Budget Committee for several years and has acquired the new name as the "Scotch Swede." Most Excellent Companion Carl, we of Royal Arch owe you a great deal; all we can say is many thanks." Carl L. Swanson, raised a Master Mason in Destiny Lodge No. 197, Tacoma, April 5, 1924; also a charter member of Constellation Lodge No. 266, Seattle; exalted in Oriental Chapter No. 19, Seattle; now a member of Tacoma No. 4, Royal Arch Masons, December 23, 1926, Past High Priest of Tacoma No. 4, 1944. Received Royal and Select Masters Degree in Tacoma Council No. 1, April 1940; Illustrious Master 1943. Knighted in Ivanhoe Commandery No. 4 Tacoma, December 9, 1942. Recorder since 1949. Served as Grand High Priest in 1950-51; Grand Illustrious Master of Grand Council 1949-50. Chartered and helped organize Puget Sound Master Council No. 30, Allied Degrees. Served as Sovereign Master 1955. Order of Thrice Illustrious Master, 1953. Another first was crowned at Tacoma on April 15, 1961, when the Tacoma Chapters held their first Four Degree Meet at the Main Masonic Temple, with Tacoma Chapter No. 4 as Host. An outstanding class of 81 candidates, from near and far, was exalted in the Most Sublime Degree of the Holy Royal Arch. The Mark Master Degree was conferred by Washington Chapter No. 65, the Past Master Degree by Lincoln Park Chapter No. 56, the Most Excellent Master Degree by all the Tacoma Chapters and Enumclaw Chapter No. 42, and the Royal Arch Degree by Keystone Chapter No. 37. All the companions who shared in the degree work are to be complimented for their fine performance. Congratulations to all the companions of District No. 3 who worked so hard to make this first so successful, and for the contribution to Royal Arch Masonry. A large group of companions and six Grand Officers responded to witness this performance that was concluded with some timely remarks by Right Excellent Companion Edward Young and then closed by the Grand King." Some memorable events in the life of Tacoma Chapter No. 4 were: the net increase of 143 new members in 1944, a record by any chapter in the state. From 1944 through 1948 the chapter had an increase in its membership of 342, a record never equaled or surpassed by any other chapter in the state during its history. The High Priests during this four-year period were C. L. Swanson, Michael Drosethes, Allen DeRousse, and L. J. Kessler. Tacoma Chapter No. 4 has given ten of its members to be Grand High Priests of the Grand Chapter of Washington: Louis Ziegler (1884), Walter J. Thompson (1887), William A. Fairweather (1888), Edward Hare (1905), Otto A. Crampton (1905), William G. Rowland (1912), John M. Arston (1921), William Ferguson (1937), Carl L. Swanson (1950), and Chester A. Hogan (1965). The records of Tacoma Chapter No. 4 for 1885 to 1938 inclusive cannot be located; hence, some events during that period cannot be verified.

EC (MWB) J. W. J. Stedman MEC Carl L. Swanson

128 CHARTER OF TACOMA #4

129 DAYTON #5 On May 31, 1886, Most Excellent Companion Andrew McCalley as Grand High Priest called the Grand Chapter into convocation at the Masonic Hall, City of Olympia, E.T., Walla Walla Chapter No. 1 having recommended a petition asking a chapter be formed at Dayton in Columbia County on December 24, 1885. Dispensation was granted and Dayton Chapter U.D. along with three other U.D. Chapters (Sprague, Olympia, and Colfax) were chartered on June 1, 1886, their first High Priest being M. M. Pietrzychi and having a membership of 18. Three of their members served as Grand High Priest: Most Excellent Companions Nilson, Van Patten and lastly Donald Rogers in 1951. Another of their members, Arthur Trudgeon, was the recipient of the General Grand Chapter's Distinguished Service Award in 1959. In 1964 there were 124 members.

SPRAGUE #6 Sprague Chapter was one of the .-riginal chapters constituted in the state, being No. 6. All the early records of the Chapter were lost in a fire of 1895. Mast Excellent Companion M cCalley appointed Companion Dennison Brunson as the first High Priest, but on March 15 it was found that he had left our jurisdiction, so the Grand High Priest after due deliberation appointed Companion William A. Fairweather, who had demitted from Spokane Chapter No. 2, was their first High Priest. He later became our Grand High Priest in 1888. Most Excellent Companion Moore also served as Grand High Priest in 1898. The original charter was by some means lost, but a duplicate was forwarded to the High Priest and on September 20, 1887, the chapter was constituted. In 1964, there were 54 members.

OLYMPIA #7 Twelve Royal Arch Masons petitioned on April 5, 1885, asking that a Chapter be formed at Olympia, in Thurston County, to be called Olympia Chapter. They also had as their first High Priest a demitted companion from Spokane Chapter No. 2, Thomas Reed, who also became Grand High Priest in the year 1889, after having served as our Grand Secretary from the formation until that time. Charter members were 15. Olympia was the host of that year's Grand Convocation. Four of their members have served as Grand High Priest besides Reed: William McMicken in 1892, Nathan S. Porter in 1904, and William Drips in 1926. They received their charter, along with the three other U.D. Chapters, on June 1, 1886. In 1964 there were 105 members.

COLFAX #8 Colfax Chapter No. 8 was the last of the four that were chartered as a group—having 19 members. The first High Priest was Jacob Bellinger. The only Grand Convocation held at Colfax was September 12, 1894. The Chapter is honored by having three of its members being elected to serve this Grand Jurisdiction as Grand High Priest: their first Grand High Priest, Jacob Bellinger, Most Excellent Companion Robert L. McCroskey, our oldest living Past Grand High Priest, and Most Excellent Companion Ben Wood in 1961. This was at one time considered one of the best Chapters in the state. Now, like lots of other Chapters, it has gone down hill—however, they do not owe any money and own half interest in the Masonic Temple. In 1964 the membership was 87

VANCOUVER #9 Vancouver Chapter No. 9 in Clark County was chartered on May 31, 1887 with Louis Sohn as High Priest. They had only 14 members (charter), the least of any newly constituted Chapter, but their work was of such caliber that there was no doubt as to their future prosperity. Additional members did not come easy but by 1890 the number had more than doubled the original membership. They had ups and downs, during the succeeding years to 1935, at which time there were 155 members on the rolls. The next seven years were unstable, but in 1943 they took an upward swing and reached an all-time high of 258 members in 1947. Two companions have been Grand High Priest: Most Excellent Companions Miller and Ryan. In 1964 the membership stood at 142.

130 EVERGREEN #10 Most Excellent Companion Andrew McCalley received a certificate of recommendation together with a petition for Dispensation from Dayton Chapter No. 5 to open a Chapter at Pomeroy, in Garfield County, which he granted on the sixth day of January, 1887. The new Chapter was known as Evergreen Chapter U.D. Their charter was also issued on May 31, 1887. The first elected High Priest was Edward Bakenstoe. Charter membership was at 25. Two of their members have been elected Grand High Priest: Most Excellent Companions Darby and Matthies. In 1964 they had three 50-year members— Joseph Green, Seth Bruce, and George Burlingame—all three receiving the Degree of Royal Arch on March 26, 1909. In 1964 the membership was 101.

ELLENSBURG #11 Minutes of Ellensburg Chapter U.D. RAM of Ellensburg, Kittitas County, Washington Territory: May 16, 1887: "In pursuance of a Dispensation granted by Grand High Priest Andrew McCalley of the Territory of Washington to Ellensburg Chapter U.D. Assembled in its first regular communication at Masonic Hall. Present: S. C. Davidson, High Priest; C. S. Prowell, King; J. W. Bean, Scribe; W. J. Dyer, Secretary-Treasurer; John E. Hale, R. A. Captain; James Rodgers, Master Third Veil; 0. S. Goodnow, Master Second Veil; and D. F. Daw, Master First Veil. The petitions of nineteen Masons were read and referred to committee to receive the chapter degrees." A committee of three companions was appointed to secure a hall for the meeting of the Chapter with instructions to report at the earliest opportunity, W. J. Dyer, Secretary Acting, and S. C. Davidson, High Priest. A very elaborate set of by-laws was drawn up for the Chapter. I have not been able to find out whether they were written before or after the first conclave. The fees for the degrees were $60, sometime later amended to $40. The dues were fifty cents a month, later amended to twenty-five cents. The next stated conclave was held June 11, 1887. A large class of candidates was balloted on to receive the Chapter degrees. The hall of Ellensburg Lodge No. 39 was rented for a meeting place. Past Grand High Priest McCalley was invited to help confer the degrees on June 22, 1887. A special convocation was called on June 22, 23, 24, 25, and 26. The next stated conclaves were July 9 and August 13. A committee was appointed to secure regalia for the chapter. On September 10, 1887, a motion was made to accept the committee report to buy regalia. It seems that as time went by the Chapter was busy taking in new members. The year of 1888, new petitions seem to be the main order of business. At the stated convocation dated April 14, 1888, motion was made to assist Ellensburg Lodge No. 39 in building a new temple, also to secure some suitable person to record the marks of the companions in the book of marks. At a stated convocation dated August 11, 1888, it was moved, seconded, and carried that the companions of Ellensburg Chapter No. 11 attend the cornerstone laying of the Masonic Temple on August 24, 1888. September 8, 1888, a bill was presented in the amount of $1.75 for coal oil; bill ordered paid. At a stated convocation dated January 12, 1889, it was moved that the chapter movie into the new Masonic Temple if suitable arrangements could be made with Ellensburg Lodge and the Grand High Priest. February 9, 1889, a motion was made to amend Article One of the by-laws to change the meeting night to the second Tuesday instead of the second Saturday. August 10, 1889, a committee was appointed to purchase the necessary furniture for the chapter. December 14, 1889, a petition from several brothers in North Yakima was received, asking this Chapter for recommendation to start a Chapter in North Yakima. February 14, 1891, a committee met with trustees of Ellensburg Lodge No. 39 to discuss the rent on the Masonic Temple. It was agreed that the rent would be $30 per month. During the time from 1889 to 1894 several trials were held. The minutes are vague as to the cause and the results. It would seem that the members kept a close watch on the activity of what went on. At a stated convocation dated March 14, 1896, the secretary was instructed to draw a warrant the first of each month in favor of Ellensburg Lodge in the amount of $5 for rent. Later in the meeting a motion was made, seconded, and carried to pay F. N. McCandless $15 per month for rent from March 1, 1895, to March 1, 1896. Nothing of importance appears in the minutes from 1896 to March 1901. On March 19, 1901, the by-laws were rewritten, deleting several sections. Also at this meeting a petition from several Royal Arch Masons in Wenatchee was received, praying for a recommendation to the Grand High Priest to grant a dispensation to form a Chapter in Wenatchee. Their request was granted. January 11, 1908, a motion was made to loan chapter funds to Ellensburg Lodge No. 39 for the purpose of purchasing the old Masonic Hall building and a committee was appointed to make the necessary arrangements. February 8, 1908, the secretary was instructed to secure a Dispensation from the Grand High Priest to remove this chapter from its present location to the new Masonic Temple.

131 March 13, 1908, an agreement to loan Ellensburg Lodge No. 39 $940 at 4% interest to be repaid at the rate of $80 per annum. November 13, 1911, a resolution was made to donate the sum of $500 to Ellensburg Lodge to assist them in paying for the heating plant. The minutes of convocations from 1909 to 1952 have gotten lost. On September 11, 1954, Ellensburg Chapter conferred the Royal Arch Degree on a class of candidates in Wenatchee. On October 28, 1954, Ellensburg Chapter and Temple Commandery No. 5 Knights Templar held an all-Masonic night with a dinner honoring all Past High Priest and all Past Commanders. On October 22, 1955, at a special convocation, Ellensburg Chapter conferred all of the chapter degrees on a class of candidates from Chapters No. 21, 22, 33, 63, and 11. Master Mason Degree was conferred by Pasco No. 33. Past Master Degree by Chapter No. 62 conferred this degree. Most Excellent Master Degree conferred by Chapter No. 22. The degree of Royal Arch was conferred by Chapter No. 21. Most Excellent Companion Ceil Ward closed the chapter in ample form. March 3, 1966, the Ellensburg Chapter approved application of Lannet Marie Flack for heart surgery, the Royal Arch Masons Heart Foundation. The operation was a success and the patient is doing well. November 16, 1966, the Chapter approved application of Jeffrey Lee Howe; the child had the first operation in November 1966 and the second in March 1970. January 4, 1967, Chapter members had breakfast with DeMolay boys at First Lutheran Church. March 2, 1967, Most Excellent Companion Robert P. Monroe presented Companion Jay A. Whitfield with a 50-year pin and certificate. On Palm Sunday, Royal Arch Masons and DeMolay boys attended church service. September 5, 1968, Excellent Companion Clayton A. Lowe was presented a 50-year pin and a certificate. The presentation was made by Companion Jay A. Whitfield, a very close friend of Excellent Companion Lowe. Companion Whitfield was master of Ellensburg Lodge No. 39 when Companion Lowe took his Third Degree. On January 2, 1975, 25-year pins were presented to six members. Two pins were mailed to two companions who were unable to attend. On February 6, 25-year pins were presented to three members. Pins were mailed to two members unable to attend. On April 3, 1975, Gerald Lamprey was presented with a 50 year pin and certificate. Arthur M. Gregory, a distant relative, made the presentation. September 4, 1980, James R. DeVries was presented with a Past High Apron. Very Excellent Companion DeVries thanked the companions and assured them that he would wear it with pleasure to himself and honor to the fraternity.

This concludes the minutes to December 31, 1980.

BELLINGHAM BAY #12 By order of the Most Excellent Grand High Priest William Fairweather, a Dispensation was granted the requisite number of companions for the formation of a new Chapter at Sehome, in Whatcom County, by the name of Bellingham Bay Chapter. High Priest was Carmi Dibble, who became our Grand High Priest in 1897. The Charter was issued on June 14, 1889. Charter members were 15. The chapter was constituted and its officers installed on July 8, 1889, by Right Excellent Companion William Rinehart, Deputy Grand High Priest Their membership built up steadily until 1924, when it was 152. It then turned downward and reached a low of 113 in 1944, then an upward swing to an all-time high of 174 in 1951. Companion Nicholson also served as Grand High Priest in the year 1922. In 1964 the membership was at 132.

WESTSHORE #13 On May 1, 1980, a Dispensation was issued to Companions Jacob Weatherwax, Arnold West, Frank Drake, and 13 others for the organization of a new Chapter in Aberdeen, in Chehalis County, to be called West Shore Chapter. At the Regular Convocation of the Grand Chapter, they not having conferred the Royal Arch Degree, their Dispensation was continued another year. West Shore Chapter was chartered June 17, 1891, and constituted July 17, 1891. Having eight members of a family belonging to one chapter is unparalleled in our organization. After several years of faithful work, Jacob Weatherwax became our Grand High Priest in 1902, but died after having served less than sixty days. In compliance with Grand Chapter By-Laws, Pacific Chapter No. 28 of South Bend, consolidated with West Shore Chapter on April 1, 1963. In 1964 the membership was at 208, of which 38 were Past High Priests.

132 PORT TOWNSEND #14 July 19, 1890, a dispensation was issued for Port Townsend Chapter. On the 24th, Most Excellent Companion William V. Rinehart arrived on the steamer "King of Kingston" and instituted the chapter. The Excellent High Priest was George B. Niblock. On February 19, 1891, it was found that the High Priest and Scribe were indefinitely out of the jurisdiction, so the Grand High Priest appointed J. D. O'Neil as High Priest. The date of signing the Charter is in conflict. However, in the proceedings of the Chapter, the reported date of charter is given as June 17, 1891. Charter members were 23. Meetings were held in the Hill-Landes Building. In 1902 they moved into the new Masonic Temple. Over the years the prosperity of the chapter could be traced by the amount of rent paid, ranging from $1.50 a meeting night to a maximum of $100 a year in 1936 and the dues to $3 per year. In 1964 the membership was 91.

SNOHOMISH #15 - now - SNOHOMISH COUNTY #15 Snohomish Chapter No. 15 was chartered on June 12, 1891. The Officers under Charter were all elected by the Chapter under Dispensation June 12, 1891: A. W. Frater, High Priest; James G. Swafford, Scribe; S. F. McQueen, P.S.; S. B. Limerick, Master of Third Veil; Ulmer Stinson, Master of of First Veil; G. H. Miller, Secretary; D. Lew Paramore, King; L. H. Cyphers, C. of H.; E. Blackman, R.A.C.; C. E. Crossman, Master of of Second Veil; Samuel Smith, Treasurer; and David Bunn, Tyler. They were installed by A. L. Spencer, Seattle No. 8, as Deputy of the Grand High Priest. The ceremony was held on the second floor of the Saloon Building at First and C Avenue, Snohomish. On February 19, 1896, the by-Laws were changed to read the High Priest, King, Scribe, Treasurer, and Secretary shall be elected by the Chapter and all other officers appointed by the High Priest. Our first member to be elected to serve the Grand Chapter was D. Lew Paramore, elected to Grand High Priest 1899 and later served the Grand Chapter as an appointed officer. At the April 17, 1901 meeting, a petition was signed by 17 members, asking for a Dispensation to form a new Chapter in Everett and it was granted by the Grand Chapter. In 1903 Snohomish Chapter moved from the Saloon Building to Centennial Lodge No. 25 at their new temple at Second and C. On several occasions the chapter loaned money for the building and also purchased the piano. This loan was $1,425 and later was donated to the lodge. The Grand Chapter honored Snohomish Chapter No. 15 by appointing George P. Dubuque ritualist and later Deputy of the Grand High Priest in District No. 8, who served two terms, 1954 and 1955. He also was the recipient of the General Grand Chapter Distinguished Service Award in 1956. E. A. Peacor was appointed District Deputy for District No. 8. Both of these companions are now deceased. Charles 0. Playle was appointed District Deputy in 1960 and 1961. Perry Beckman was Deputy in 1959 and 1960. In 1956, Snohomish moved to the new Lodge Hall of Centennial No. 25 at the present location of Sixth Avenue and S Street. Due to hardships and needing financial help, Snohomish Chapter donated money and many hours of labor and supervision, and this practice of fraternal fellowship still prevails. The trend of membership from 1891 to 1915 steadily increased, due to a fruitful field for members and a favorable social and economic condition. During World War I membership declined. From 1915 to 1925 the membership increased to 108 due to post-war conditions. From 1925 to 1940 during the Great Depression the membership slumped to 59 members. At the beginning of World War II through 1954, membership again rose to 130, due to post war, social, economic, and good public relations. From 1954 to 1977 a gradual decrease to 44 members, due to drastic social changes, dwindling economy, and society disinterest in fraternalism. From 1977 to 1981 there is a slight upward trend due to work by the companions in interesting new members. It seems the mass production of past years had its adversities. The potluck dinners we now enjoy were started in 1958 and with the variety of good food and fraternal fellowship has been an asset to the Chapter and we are very thankful to our ladies for their support and we believe it has helped attendance. There was some negative attitude of some of the older members as they believed this was totally a man's organization; however, this was overcome and harmony again prevails. We are proud of our ladies and thank them for their participation and contribution to the Children's Heart Foundation, other projects, and projects of the Temple. The Loggers Breakfast, which started in 1958, had helped the Chapter, Centennial Lodge, and the community as a whole both fraternally and financially. At first the ladies were not allowed to work at the breakfast as it was the companions' job, but due to lack of participation by the members, again we asked the ladies to assist us in our endeavors for which we are duly grateful.

133 The following actions of several Grand High Priest are worthy of special note in the history of Snohomish #15

MEC ROBERT E. TRUSDALE - GRAND HIGH PRIEST 1983-1984 BY LAW CHANGES APPROVED DECEMBER 18, 1983 - Snohomish Chapter #15 to establish Life Membership

MEC VARDEN F. BOERGATINE “BUD” - GRAND HIGH PRIEST 1984-1985 DISPENSATION GRANTED DECEMBER 3, 1984 - Snohomish Chapter #15 to use two substitutes in conferring the Royal Arch degree on December 8, 1984 - Granted under Section 241 of

MEC MILTON R. BENSON - GRAND HIGH PRIEST 1985-1986 RULING AND DECISIONS Snohomish Chapter No. 15 requested a decision on when a candidate becomes a Royal Arch Mason for the purpose of being obligated to paying dues into the Chapter. Membership into the chapter is not dependent upon the candidate signing the by-laws. Upon completion of receiving the four degrees of Royal Arch Masonry the candidate was in fact a Royal Arch Mason and subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the By-laws of his chapter and the constitution and By-laws of the Grand Chapter. Although the companions in question had not signed the chapter By-Laws, the fact that he had not paid due two years since receiving all Royal Arch degrees was justification to drop him from the rolls for non-payment of dues.

MEC JAMES G. McVAY - GRAND HIGH PRIEST 1986-1987 SPECIAL DISPENSATIONS GRANTED November 5, 1986 Snohomish #15 To elect officers out of time at a Stated Convocation on November 8, 1986.

MEC WILLIAM E. NELSON - GRAND HIGH PRIEST 1990-1991 BY-LAWS APPROVED December 20, 1990 - Edmonds Chapter No.64: Codified By-Laws and amended to increase. fees for degrees. (sec.58/333) January 11, 1991 - Snohomish Chapter No.15: Codified By-Laws and amended to increase fees for degrees. 'sec.58;333)

MEC ALBERT W. SHAW - GRAND HIGH PRIEST 1992-1993 BY-LAWS APPROVED Nov. 11, 1992 Snohomish Chapter No. 15 to change time of the Stated Convocations to 12:30 P.M. except July, August, November and May. November and May Convocations to be at 7:30 P.M.

MEC THURSTON HAYDEN “DICK” DICKASON - GRAND HIGH PRIEST 1993-1994 BY-LAWS APPROVED June 13, 1993 Snohomish Chapter No. 15. To change meeting time of Convocation from 12:30 pm to 7:30 pm on the second Saturday except July and August.

SPECIAL DISPENSATIONS GRANTED November 02, 1993 Snohomish Chapter #15. To elect officers out of time, on November 13, 1993, due to lack of a quorum at their October stated Convocation. (Sec. 108)

MEC LARRY MERLE BLY - GRAND HIGH PRIEST 1994-1995 BY-LAWS APPROVED Jan. 28, 1995 Snohomish County Chapter No. 15 - Complete new By-Laws.

MEC HAROLD L. TOMKINS - GRAND HIGH PRIEST 1995-1996 SPECIAL DISPENSATIONS DENIED Feb. 15, 1996 Snohomish County Chapter No. 15, to waive 22 months for granting a 50 Year Certificate to Companion Tennis A. Roetcisoender, a member of their Chapter. BY-LAWS APPROVED Dec. 12, 1995 Snohomish County Chapter No. 15, codified by-laws approved by Chapter on Sept. 11, 1995.

134 MEC CHARLES D. KILBURY - GRAND HIGH PRIEST 1997-1998 OFFICIAL ACTS November 25, 1997 Granted Snohomish County Chapter No. 15 special dispensation to elect a Secretary at a time beyond the regular time as prescribed in Section 109 MEC JERRY R. KUNKLE - GRAND HIGH PRIEST 1999-2000 DISPENSATIONS GRANTED 10-27-1999 Snohomish County Chapter #15 - Hold an election out of time.

MEC HERBERT J. MILLER - GRAND HIGH PRIEST 2000-2001 BY-LAWS RATIFIED OR NO CHANGE 02-05-01 Snohomish County No. 15

MEC LOUIS E. BARTRAND - GRAND HIGH PRIEST 2001-2002 Dispensations Granted 02-27-02 Granted dispensation to Research Chapter No. 68 to have an out-of-cycle election to replace the King, VEC George Hagge. He had also been elected to the position of Scribe in Snohomish County Chapter No. 15. Since he can only hold one elected position at a time he opted to keep his position as Scribe at Snohomish County Chapter No. 15. Election should take place at the first opportunity after receiving this letter.

MEC DONALD J. BECK - GRAND HIGH PRIEST 2004-2005 OFFICIAL ACTIONS November 18, 2004 Installed the 2005 Officers of Snohomish County No. 15 in Edmonds MC. DISPENSATIONS GRANTED March 16, 2005 To Snohomish County 15 to conduct the Most Excellent Master and Royal Arch Mason degrees for the Grand Master Class at a Special meeting. DISPENSATIONS NOT GRANTED March 16, 2005 To Snohomish County 15 request of March 16, 2005 to hold "Festival balloting" on the Most Excellent Master and Royal Arch Mason degrees on the Grand Master's Class. No balloting would be required as their chapters would already have voted on these candidates.

MEC HERBERT N. WEAVER - GRAND HIGH PRIEST 2009-2010 BYLAWS APPROVED August 25, 2009 Snohomish County #15

135 HIGH PRIESTS SNOHOMISH COUNTY CHAPTER #15 * Deceased *MEC Donald Lee Stevenson 4/1/1995 (Died in Office) EC Forrest Aron Ryan 1995 (King acting HP) VEC Thomas 0. Stone, Jr 1995-1996 *EC Robert P. Guild 1996-1997 *EC Jack K. Evans 1997-1998 VEC Thomas Odie Stone, Jr. 1998-1999 VEC Thomas Odie Stone, Jr. 1999-2000 EC Loren Erving Scott 2000-2001 *VEC George Walter Carlile 2001-2002 VEC Roscoe Reeby Mitchell 2002-2003 VEC Roscoe Reeby Mitchell 2003-2004 VEC Wayne Loren Roberts 2004-2005 EC Donald Ray Etchison 2005-2006 REC Steven Lyn Dazey 2006-2007 VEC Thomas Odie Stone, Jr 2007-2008 EC Robert William Benish 2008-2009 EC Patrick Dan Neal 2010-2011 EC Patrick Dan Neal 2011-2012

FIRST HIGH PRIESTS OF ORIGINATING CHAPTERS

* MEC Edward Young 6/29/1956 (Edmonds 64) * EC Melvin Swartout 7/22/1901 (Everett 24) * EC Archibald Wanless Frater 6/12/1891 Snohomish 15 (Under Dispensation)

Snohomish County Chapter #15 has Stated Convocation at 7:30pm (Usually preceded by dinner at 6:30pm) on the third Thursday of January, February, March, April, May, June, September, and November at the Edmonds Masonic Center, 515 Dayton Street, Edmonds, Washington 98020

Chapter Membership Data as of March 2012 Total membership 49 Plural members 12 50 year members 4

The chapter usually has 2 or 3 new members each year and can confer all 4 degrees of the Royal Arch including the Full Form Most Excellent Master Degree. At the present time the chapter finances are in good shape. But with a large number of members having “Life Membership” and given the presently low fate of return from the York Rite Masons Life Membership and Memorial Foundation the chapter found it necessary to place a “special assessment” upon all members for the 2011 Capitular year. Several members regularly visit Fellowship Chapter #61 and they in turn visit our chapter. The two chapters have a very close relationship; visiting companions of one chapter often filling vacant officer positions at convocations of the other as may be needed.

The chapter is proud of our several past or present officers of the Most Excellent Grand Chapter of Masons of Washington.

MEC James “Jim” Thomas Stephens, Jr Grand High Priest 2002-2003 VEC Thomas 0. Stone, Jr PDGHP MEC Anthony “Tony” Charles Schwab Grand High Priest 2010-2011 VEC Roscoe Reeby Mitchell PDGHP REC Stephen “Steve” Lynn Dazey Grand King 2011-2012 VEC Wayne Loren Roberts PDGHP EC Robert “Bob” William Benish Grand Historian 2011-2012

136 PUYALLUP #16 On January 12, 1892, a petition for Dispensation for a Royal Arch Chapter at Puyallup in Pierce County was received from Companion Edward R. Hare, Secretary of Tacoma Chapter No. 4, together with enclosure of certificates and remit- tance of fees. The Dispensation was granted and on February 12 the Chapter was organized. First High Priest was G. F. Talmadge and membership was at 15. Puyallup Chapter No. 16 was constituted under Charter on July 27, 1892, and S. B. Kiger was installed as High Priest. During the following year they had an increase in membership of five; in 1894, one. On March 13, 1895, the Grand High Priest, Most Excellent Companion Horace Tyler, visited Puyallup, the chapter being reported dormant and the members desirous of surrendering their charter. Because the chapter is located so near to Tacoma, he accepted the offer to surrender; the account books and property turned over to the Grand Secretary, and the members were granted demits.

MT, VERNON #17 On July 25, 1892, a Dispensation was issued by William McMicken, Grand High Priest, to open and form a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons to be known as Mt. Vernon Chapter in that city. Petition for the chapter was properly recommended by Bellingham Bay Chapter No. 12. Fees for the Chapter Degrees at that time were $50; Charter members, 17. Charter was issued June 16, 1893, in which Francis Bagley West was named High Priest. In February 1894, their meeting place was changed from the Skagit News Hall to Davis Block, where the Mt. Baker Lodge No. 36 held their meetings. Dr. F. B. West served the chapter as High Priest for a number of years: 1892, 1893, 1894, 1895, 1896, and 1897 He was again elected in 1899 and 1900. He served as Grand High Priest in 1907. In 1964 membership was 94.

TEKOA #18 A petition, also duly signed and accompanied by satisfactory documentary evidence as to the good standing of the companions signing the same, and a favorable recommendation from Colfax Chapter No. 8, and the required fee, was presented to the Grand High Priest by Past Grand High Priest J. H. Bellinger asking for a Dispensation to start a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons at Tekoa, in Whitman County. Accordingly, on August 22, 1892, the Grand High Priest William McMicken sent the dispensation and letter of instruction to past Grand High Priest Bellinger, requesting him to organize that Chapter U.D. and assist them in starting in their work. This he ably performed on October 4. The chapter was chartered June 15, 1893. Charter members were 15 and the High Priest was A. R. Perley. Their membership increased slowly with the normal amount of setbacks, reaching the high of 72 in 1949. The surrender of their charter and the loss of 51 companions in November of 1960 was a great disappointment that year. The sincere efforts of Most Excellent Companions Edward Caddy, Ralph Gelbach, and Walter H. Steffey to revive this chapter went unanswered for want of leadership and interest among the companions of Tekoa Chapter No. 18.

137 ORIENTAL #19

While serving as officers and as High Priests of Oriental Chapter No. 19, the following Excellent Companions have each contributed much in advancing Royal Arch Masonry and Oriental Chapter in particular.

Past High Priests (* indicates deceased 1984).

*Samuel B. Limerick 1897-98 *Martin Z. P. Sheer 1942-43 *Witham V. Rinehart, Jr. 1898-00 William H. B. Webb 1943-45 *Robert S. Nichols 1900-02 *Ralph H. Higgins 1945-46 *Frank G. H. Baker (PG HP)1902-03 Hal N. Snyder 1946-47 *John C. Slater 1903-04 Frank M. Thomas 1947-48 *James E. Clark 1904-05 *Chester A. Taylor 1948-49 *William H. Sanders 1905-06 *Sam A. Wright 1949-50 *Dutee J. Pearce 1906-08 Faxon C. Lewis 1950-51 *Ralph C. McAllister 1908-09 *David E. Seefeldt 1951-52 *John Rex Thompson 1909-10 *Al George 1952-53 *Joseph Mayer 1910-11 *Charles E. King 1953-54 *Edward F. Tyler 1911-12 *Carl W. Morgan 1954-55 *Elias A. Wright 1912-13 Edward A. Beiersdorf 1955-56 *George E. Luppold 1913-14 *Elmer R. Case 1956-57 *Albert J. J. Ross 1914-15 Frank H. Bargmann 1957-58 *Robert E. Sullivan PG HP 1915-16 *Norman E. Churchill 1958-59 *Goerge E. Clancy 1916-17 *Dale M. Carson 1959-60 *Robert McCormack 1917-18 *Anthony Natoli 1960-61 *Edwin S. Douglas 1918-19 Anton L. Marek PG HP 1961-62 *Louis E. Shela 1919-20 Richard D. Holmes 1962-63 *Henry L. Sisler 1920-22 A. Byron Croop 1963- 64 *Myron E. Bailey 1922-23 *Raymond W. Ostrander 1964-65 *Nevin E. V anW art 1923-24 * William T. Russen 1965-66 *Jabez Osborne 1924-25 Walcott Denison 1966-67 *Ralph T. Carpenter 1925-26 *John J. Roach 1967-68 *Thomas J. D. Skewes 1926-27 Harold Jeffery 1968-69 *Ralph P. Mulvane (PG HP 1927-28 Carl C. French 1969-70 *Horton M. Allen 1928-29 Roy A. W. Krows (PG HP) 1970-71 *Harvey J. Moss 1929-30 •George R. Bordewiek 1971-72 *Zeke E. Hendrickson 1930-31 Fred E. DePuy 1972-73 *Roy C. Miller 1931-32 John R. Karn 1973-74 *Robert C. McComb 1932-33 Roland A. Collins 1974-75 *Jacob S. Harrison 1933-34 John P. Greenwald 1975-76 Jewel E. Mayn 1934-35 Samuel F. Hansen 1976-77 *Edgar D. Griffith 1935-36 Lou E. Thompson 1977-78 *Emerson C. Collier 1936-37 Robert E. Eddy 1978-79 *George W. Huddleston 1937-38 William E. Snyder 1979-80 *Albert B. Ellis 1938-39 Glenn V. Peck 1980-81 *J. Orrin Vining 1939-40 Horace C. Bradbury 1981-82 *George W. Christensen 1940-41 Constantine Pournarus 1982-83 *Guy E. Dunning 1941-42

Past High Priests by Affiliation Honorary Past High Priests *Leslie Cramer *L. Edward Hed *Charles G. Carlson 1967 *Oscar E. Koenig *Ira L. Neill *Hoyt S. Boyd 1971 *William H. Stearns Hugh Cameron (Grand Master F.&A.M. of Washington 1982-83)

138 The first reference to Oriental Chapter No. 19 Royal Arch Masons is found in the Proceedings of the Thirteenth Annual Convocation of the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of Washington held in the city of Tacoma, June 4, A.D. 1897, with Tacoma Chapter No. 4 host. Most Excellent Companion Walter L. Darby granted the following quoted Dispensation: "April 1, 1897—Upon the recommendation of Seattle Chapter No. 3, I grant a Dispensation to 28 companions to form a chapter in Seattle, to be known as Oriental Chapter, with the following officers: S. B. Limerick, High Priest; L. L. Moore, King; and William V. Rinehart, Jr., Scribe. Most Excellent William V. Rinehart, Past Grand High Priest, was appointed my special deputy to organize this chapter, which duty he performed April 6 following. The officers of this chapter are bright, energetic Masons, and having the good of the craft at heart will without doubt make their chapter one of the brightest dispensers of Masonic light in the entire jurisdiction." The next reference is from the same proceedings in the "Report of Grand Secretary" under the heading "Financial." Quoting, "Yancey Blalock, Grand Secretary, in account with the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Washington—June 5, to annual dues Oriental U.D. $30.00." Another reference is made under committee reports. The "Report of Committee on Chapters U.D." is as follows: "The following report was on motion adopted: To the Most Excellent Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Washington: We, your Committee on Chapters U.D., beg leave to report as follows: We find one Chapter U.D., to wit, Oriental Chapter of Seattle. The By-Laws and proceedings, together with the petition for charter of this Chapter U.D., have been submitted to us, and we find them regular, and would recommend that a charter be granted them. Fraternally submitted, N. T. Caton, Carmi Dibble, and R. L. McCroskey, Committee." Oriental Chapter No. 19 is listed among the "Officers and Members of the Subordinate Chapters under the jurisdiction of the Most Excellent Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Washington 1897," as follows: “Oriental Chapter No. 19; Seattle, King County. Date of Charter June 4, 1897. Regular convocations, second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. Officers: Samuel B. Limerick, Most Excellent, High Priest; Lawrence L. Moore, Excellent, King; and M. V. Rinehart, Jr., Excellent, Scribe. Past High Priest, S. B. Limerick. Members: H. G. Ballou, Emil Bories, E. B. Burwell, C. M. Coe, W. G. Cushing, A. S. Gibbs, F. F. French, W. W. French, A. B. Grahm, S. M. Irwin, F. G. Johnston, A. L. Kelsall, H. A. Kyer, F. M. Lathe, C. H. Lilly, S. B. Limerick, R. C. Martin, William Milton, L. L. Moore, H. W. McNeil, F. W. Parker, C. E. Patten, J. H. Parkins, W. E. Plumley, W. V. Rinehart, Jr., H. J. Stoltenberg, Thomas J. Thorsen, H. VanWinter, J. C. Watrous, and G. G. White; 30 members. Exalted, 3." In the Synopsis of Annual Returns, Oriental Chapter No. 19 is listed as follows: "Oriental U.D., Exalted, 3; Membership in 1897, 30; Amount of Annual Dues, $30.00." Thus was Oriental Chapter No. 19 started and recorded in the "Proceedings of the Most Excellent Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Washington, Thirteenth Annual Convocation, 1897." Oriental Chapter No. 19 was not represented at the 1898 and 1899 convocations of the Grand Chapter of Washington. At the 1890 convocation Oriental Chapter No. 19 exemplified the Royal Arch Degree as is indicated by a resolution of thanks tendered to the officers and mem- (End Page 67 WASHINGTON KEYSTONE) bers of Oriental Chapter No. 19 by the vote of the companions in attendance to the motion of Companion P. F. Chadwick. The "Synopsis of Annual Returns" in the Proceedings for the year 1900, Oriental Chapter No. 19 was recorded with 56 members, a gain of 14 members in the year. The chapter was well on its way to fulfilling Most Excellent Companion Walter L. Darby's expectations as stated in his Dispensation granting the formation of Oriental Chapter No. 19. There was a steady increase in membership to 815 members in 1923, the year they exalted 84 and admitted 10. In the next three years they exalted 141, 115, and 85 brethren, respectively, to the Royal Arch Degree. Over the same three years they admitted an additional 22, 13, and 17 members, respectively, thereby bringing the total membership to 1,162 members. This was the peak membership for Oriental Chapter No. 19. The membership remained above 1,000 members on through 1935. Throughout the years, Oriental Chapter has had on its roster the names of many of Seattle's leading business and professional men who have distinguished themselves in their vocations and also in the various Masonic bodies. As an example of Royal Arch excellence, Oriental Chapter No. 19 has the distinction of having had six of its High Priests elected into the Grand Line and serving as Grand High Priests of the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of Washington: These men are: Richard S. Nichols (deceased), 1906; Frank G. H. Baker (deceased), 1916; Robert E. Sullivan (deceased), 1928; Ralph P. Mulvane (deceased), 1943; Anton L. Marek, 1969; and Roy A. W. Krows, 1979. In 1906 Excellent Companion Dutee J. Pearce designed and built the Key Lecture Board, which has been used most impressively up to the present day. Before the current practice of having potluck dinners with our ladies preceding our meetings, Oriental Chapter No. 19 held occasional dinners which were generally for the members only. Companion "Big" Jim Boldt, a member of our Chapter and a restaurateur, was always the caterer. A splendid meal was always served at a nominal cost. It was a custom for the Chapter Secretary, Companion Frank C. Dunn, to distribute boxes of good cigars provided by Most Excellent Companion Robert E. Sullivan, a cigar dealer, for the companions at the dinners. Companion Dunn was sure to see that only one cigar was taken by each companion. The air in the dining room became blue with cigar smoke. It was not uncommon on such occasions that the companions had the pleasure of listening to some very good dinner speakers.

139 Oriental Chapter has had the honor and pleasure of co-hosting the Grand Chapter Sessions held in Seattle. It has also hosted Royal Arch Four Degree Festivals, Royal Arch Seminars, and co-hosted the receptions for two Grand Masters of The Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of Washington. A humorous situation developed within Oriental Chapter No. 19 with the election in 1919 of Companions Robert E. Sullivan, High Priest; George E. Clancy, King; and Robert McCormack, Scribe. It was jokingly equated within the chapter that Oriental Chapter No. 19 was a branch of the Knights of Columbus with "Sullivan, Clancy, and McCormack" in the council. Rainier #52 merged into Oriental in 2000 The music from the beautiful organ in the loft of the Corinthian Room of the Seattle Main Masonic Temple was much appreciated by the companions of Oriental Chapter No. 19. The organ was always played for all chapter functions by Companion Thomas Gent. Companion Gent was well versed in all the beauties of music. He was, however, an inveterate chewer of tobacco and many times during the meetings a distinctive "ping" was heard from the loft. All in attendance knew that "Tommy" had the spittoon going. At the end of the circumambulation in the First Section of the Most Excellent Master Degree, according to the old ritual, Companion Tommy accompanied Companion Magnus Peterson's solo of the "Holy City." Their contribution to the degree was most impressive and was gratefully appreciated by all in attendance. Companion Magnus was a well-known teacher of voice and could really thrill one with his singing wherever he sang. Oriental Chapter No. 19 recommended the formation of a new Chapter to be known as West Seattle Chapter No. 45. The Dispensation for the formation of West Seattle Chapter No. 45 was granted March 6, 1922. When West Seattle Chapter No. 45 recommended the formation of a new chapter to be known as Triple Tau Chapter No. 66, a number of companions in Oriental Chapter No. 19 either demitted or took a dual membership in Triple Tau Chapter No. 66 to promote the chapter. Members of Oriental Chapter No. 19 have participated in the purchase and the development of the Royal Arch Masons Park in Maple Valley and in the formation of the King County Royal Arch Masons Association. The latter was organized for the administration and care of the Royal Arch Masons Park. Oriental Chapter has worked diligently in whatever activities they participated to further Royal Arch Masonry.

Chapter Secretaries EC Samuel B. Limerick 1898-1900 - 3 years Frank C. Dunn 1900-1902 - 2 years Frank G. H. Baker 1902-1903 - 1 year Gamaliel T. Olds 1903-1917 - 14 years Frank C. Dunn 1917-1947 - 30 years EC George W. Christensen 1947-1964 - 17 years EC David E. Seefeldt 1964-1968 - 4 years EC John J. Roach 1968-1971 - 3 years MEC Anton L. Marek 1971-1976 - 5 years EC John P. Greenwald 1976 - present

The work of the Chapter Secretaries contributes much to the good record and the advancement of Oriental Chapter No. 19. The first High Priest, Excellent Companion Samuel B. Limerick, was elected secretary following his term as the first High Priest. There is no record that I could find stating who was secretary during the first year of Oriental Chapter's existence. The Chapter was fortunate in having three secretaries who served long terms in office. The first of these long- term secretaries was Companion Gamaliel T. Olds; he served for 14 years. Companion Frank C. Dunn followed him in 1918 and served, including two previous years in the office, over 32 years at the secretary's desk. In 1947, he collapsed with a stroke while at a chapter meeting. Regretfully, we have no pictures of these companions. Excellent Companion George W. Christensen was called upon to take the office following Companion Dunn's stroke. He served in the office for 17 years, thus completing the third of the long terms in office. Excellent Companion Christensen, as did Companion Dunn, took part on the floor in the degree work. Excellent Companion Christensen was also very active in Seattle Council No. 6, Royal and Select Masters of Washington, serving as Illustrious Master in 1938. In 1942, he was elected to the Grand Line of the Grand Council, Royal and Select Masters of Washington, serving as Grand Master in 1945. His extensive work in Masonry contributed much in maintaining the high quality of the work in Oriental Chapter No. 19. The accompanying picture was of him when he served as Grand Master. The records of Oriental Chapter No. 19 were in good order when Excellent Com- panion Christensen turned them over to his successor, Excellent Companion David E. Seefeldt, in 1964. Because of limited storage facilities at his home, many of the records were stored at the Main Masonic Temple at Harvard and East Pine Street 140 in Seattle. Because of a promotion in his profession, Excellent Companion Seefeldt could not contribute the time required to fulfill the needs of the Chapter Secretary and therefore had submitted his resignation. Excellent Companion John J. Roach was elected in 1968 to succeed him. Excellent Companion Roach served as secretary until his death from a stroke in 1971. Most Excellent Companion Anton L. Marek was appointed by the High Priest and installed as secretary to complete the year. Most Excellent Companion Marek was elected into the office at the next election. He served to 1976, when he resigned because of his wife's illness which required his attention in her treatment. Our current secretary is Excellent Companion John P. Greenwald. From whatever activities in which one participates, there is some good to be realized. In searching for information for this report, some of Oriental Chapter No. 19's property which had been misplaced has been found and is now secured. Regretfully, however, there were some of the old minutes of the chapter which were not found. EC Jewell E. Mayn VEC A. Byron Croop MEC Roy A. W. Brows

COLEVILLE #20 April 17, 1900, a petition was received to form a new Chapter at Colville in Stevens County. The petition was signed by nine Companions of Royal Arch Masonry, and their demits were enclosed with the petition. On Saturday, May 12, the Grand High Priest, D. Lew Paramore, received the necessary recommendations from Spokane Chapter No. 2. He was informed they had 35 applicants for the Degrees, and being 88 miles north of Spokane, it being the nearest chapter to them, and believing it would be for the best interest of the Royal Craft, issued a Dispensation authorizing and empowering C. H. Montgomery to act as High Priest of a chapter to be held at Colville, and to be known as Colville Chapter U.D. Charter June 8, 1900, with 19 members, the Chapter had its ups and downs, reaching a high in membership of 53 in 1922. However, in 1942, the chapter went dormant and the membership remained at 26. In 1947 Grand High Priest Virgil Davin, Most Excellent Companion Walter H. Steffey, and others on a visit to that chapter recommended consolidation with Spokane Chapter No. 2, but this was never effected and in 1948 the chapter went defunct and its 26 members were dropped from the Grand Chapter rolls

YAKIMA #21 On May 22, 1900, a petition was received to form a new Chapter at North Yakima, Yakima County, recommended by Ellensburg Chapter No. 11. A Dispensation was issued for John D. Cornett to act as High Priest. At the 16th Annual Convocation the companions from Yakima requested their Dispensation be continued until the next Annual Convocation, as they had not received their paraphernalia as yet. The Chapter was chartered on June 8, 1901. A most outstanding event was held on September 27, 1911, when the Grand Chapter held a Special Convocation in Yakima for the dedication of their Masonic Temple. The Keystone which was placed in the arch of the Temple came in the rough state from Jerusalem and was perfected in Yakima by companions of Yakima Chapter No. 21. Most Excellent Companion Edwin H. Van Patten gave the address, which was a "gem" of Masonic literature. One of their companions, Fred Janeck, served as Grand High Priest in 1920.

141 WENATCHEE #22 On April 17, 1901, the Grand High Priest Harry Rush granted a Dispensation for a Chapter to be known as Wenatchee Chapter U.D. and named Charles B. Reed as High Priest On June 25, acting Grand High Priest Levi Ankeny officially chartered Wenatchee Chapter No. 22 as a member of the Most Excellent Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Washington. Wenatchee Chapter's career continued upward, with many petitions and many initiations, but with the usual problems of finance and suitable meeting places. Equipment and robes came slowly, but as membership grew, progress was substantial. Gain columns showed steady increases, until 1924 when the loss columns took over, until 1939. The highest peak of members was reached in 1923 with 335. Consideration must be made to the f act that Wenatchee Chapter sponsored Waterville Chapter in 1911 and Okanogan Chapter in 1920, which exacted a considerable toll of membership lost by demits. The Chapter can boast of three Grand High Priest's in its contribution to (End Page 74 WASHINGTON KEYSTONE) Masonry: Jacob Miller in 1918, Harry Ahlers in 1948, and Kennedy N. Carmody in 1957. They also have a substantial investment in the new Masonic Temple, erected in 1960, which investment is the result of some 50 years of earnest effort toward a Masonic meeting place. One of the institutions, which is synonymous with the name of Royal Arch Masonry locally, is the "Annual Clam Feed." Some 30 years ago the "feed" was started as an innocent social custom among its own members. Gradually it grew in popularity until they were forced to invite the public, so that as of today the "Clam Feed" is a feature of Wenatchee Chapter and has even come to state-wide fame, in its acclamation of Freemasonry, fellowship, and true sportsmanship. It can be safely stated of Royal Arch Masonry, in Wenatchee, that it is holding its own as the average of Masonry goes in Washington. The ideals of Masonry are with them today as they were 83 years ago when the chapter was founded. In 1964 the membership was at 224.

SUNSET#23 The Grand High Priest received a petition on April 17 from the required number of Royal Arch Masons residing at Chehalis, Lewis County, praying for Dispensation to organize a Chapter at that place. Recommended by Olympia Chapter No. 7 through its Secretary, Companion Thomas M. Reed, the following day, Most Excellent Companion S. Harry Rush granted them a dispensation to be called Sunset Chapter U.D., making for its first High Priest, Companion Henry Elliott. On June 18, 1901, the Grand High Priest issued his proxy to Right Excellent Companion Jacob Weatherwax, Deputy Grand High Priest, to constitute Sunset Chapter No. 23. He reported that on July 5, 1901, he had duly constituted the Chapter and installed its officers. Charter members were 22. The membership built up steadily and reached the all-time high of 208 in 1924—then reversed and dropped to a low of 71 in 1938—built back to 173 in 1949. One of their members, James Johnson, served as Grand High Priest in 1928. In 1964 the membership was 143.

142 EVERETT #24 On April 28, the Grand High Priest received the following from Everett, Washington: "Enclosed please find petition for Dispensation for Chapter of Royal Arch Masons at Everett, also draft for $90. If you are willing to grant this Dispensation, please forward it at your earliest convenience, as we have about ten teams who are waiting and many are exceedingly anxious." This petition was signed by 19 Royal Arch Masons and accompanied by the recommendation of Snohomish Chapter No. 15. The Dispensation was granted on April 30. The first High Priest was Melvin Swartout. On June 18, 1901, the Grand High Priest granted his proxy to Most Excellent Companion D. Lew Paramore, Past Grand High Priest, to constitute Everett Chapter No. 24. He reported on July 22, 1901, he had, along with several Grand Chapter officers, duly constituted the chapter, and installed their officers. The chapter grew rapidly with few setbacks and reached the all-time high of 284 in 1948. Since that time the rolls have gradually diminished, and the membership in 1964 stood at 138. The High Priest then was Thorvald L. Bertelsen. The chapter is honored by having two of its members selected to serve this Grand Jurisdiction as Grand High Priest, Most Excellent Companions Charles Smyth in 1917 and Guy Rose in 1949.

MEC JAMES S. STOAKES - GRAND HIGH PRIEST 1991-1992 SPECIAL DISPENSATIONS November 16, 1991 Everett Chapter No. 24 to elect Officers out of time (Sec. 108) March 4, 1992 Everett Chapter No. 24 to hold Convocation out of time to avoid conflict with York Rite Recent. for GM (Sec. 25-6) (Editor: Event not clear - printed here as in GC PROCEEDINGS.)

MEC ALBERT W. SHAW - GRAND HIGH PRIEST 1992-1993 SPECIAL DISPENSATIONS GRANTED May 27, 1992 Everett Chapter No. 24 to appear in Royal Arch dress at the Salty Sea Days Parade in Everett on June 6, 1992. (Sect. 83) Sept. 24, 1992 Everett Chapter No. 24 to net in the Marysville Masonic Temple on the 4th Saturdays as per their By-Laws due to the sale of the Everett Masonic Temple until a permanent site could be selected. (Sect. 25.14) BY-LAWS APPROVED Nov. 13, 1992 A complete revision of Everett Chapter No. 24 By-laws changing meeting place to Marysville Masonic Temple on the first Monday except July, August and September. May 7, 1993 Change Stated Convocations from first Monday to fourth Saturday.

MEC THURSTON HAYDEN “DICK” DICKASON - GRAND HIGH PRIEST 1993-1994 BY-LAWS APPROVED March 20, 1994 Place of stated convocations changed from the Marysville Masonic Temple to the Everett Masonic Center, 232 Olympic Blvd., Everett, Washington. No change in day or time of meeting.

MEC LARRY MERLE BLY - GRAND HIGH PRIEST 1994-1995 On Jan. 28, 1995 approved the By-Laws of Snohomish County Chapter No. 15 whereby Everett #24 joined Edmonds #64 and Snohomish #15 to comprise the new chapter.

143 DAVENPORT #25 A Dispensation was granted February 28, 1903, by acting Grand High Priest John N. Prather (the Grand High Priest, Jacob Weatherwax, having passed away July 31, 1902, of bronchial pneumonia), to ten Royal Arch Masons with permission to institute a Chapter U.D. at Davenport, Lincoln County. The first meeting was held March 16 with Companion E. L. Spencer as High Priest. A set of by-laws was adopted, meetings to be the first and third Mondays. Fee for the degrees was $40 and dues were $3 annually. A Charter was granted June 15 and signed by Right Excellent Companion John Prather, Grand High Priest (acting). Shortly after the Grand Convocation closed, Most Excellent Companion Prather, Grand High Priest, commissioned Most Excellent Companion S. H. Rush, Past Grand High Priest, to act as his deputy and constitute Davenport Chapter No. 25. Accordingly, assisted by the Grand Orator, H. L. Kennan, he performed that service on July 25, in a satisfactory manner. The Chapter grew slowly but steadily and reached a high of 136 in 1923. They had in 1964 two 50-year members. They had had none of their members elected as Grand High Priest, but many have served the cause of Royal Arch Masonry in this jurisdiction—an example of this being the 1964 Secretary, Very Excellent Companion Charles F. Lindstrum, who was also Grand Representative to Missouri, past Deputy of the Grand High Priest, and Past Grand Principal Sojourner. In 1964 the membership was 39.

BALLARD #26 The Most Excellent Grand High Priest, John N. Prather, reports a constitutional number of Companions having met the legal requirement and that on July 25, 1903, he granted them a Dispensation to form a new chapter to be called Mt. Calvary Chapter U.D. at Ballard, King County, naming J. H. Kenney as High Priest. During the period of U.D., this new chapter had exalted to the Royal Arch Degree 12 select Masons. During the Twentieth Annual Convocation held at Seattle, Washington, on June 20, 1904, the following report of Committee on Chapters U.D. was read and, on motion, adopted: "Your Committee to whom was referred the Dispensation and records of Mt. Calvary Chapter have examined the same and find that they have conferred all the degrees and recommend that a charter be granted to said Chapter, and further, upon their request, we recommend that the name be changed to Ballard Chapter and that it be numbered 26." Most Excellent Companion Nathan Porter reports that on June 25, 1904, assisted by Richard Nicholls, Grand King, Horace Tyler, Grand Treasurer, and several Past High Priests he opened the Grand Chapter of Washington in Special Session and constituted Ballard Chapter No. 26 at Ballard (Seattle), Washington, with 20 members, and installed its officers. He made the following statements, "From the interest manifested by those present I bespeak for this new chapter a bright future." This prediction was borne out, as their membership grew steadily with no setbacks until 1930, when it became unstable until 1941, when at 135 it began another upward swing and reached their all-time high of 254 in 1952. In 1963 one of their companions, William E. Scheele, was honored by being the recipient of the General Grand Chapter Distinguished Service Award. In 1964 there were 196 members on the rolls.

OLYMPUS #27 In November 1903, a petition was sent to the Most Excellent Grand High Priest John N. Prather, of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Washington, requesting letters of Dispensation or a warrant to discharge the duties of Royal Arch Masonry in a regular and constitutional manner in Bremerton. They nominated and recommended Companions R. C. Martin to act as the first Excellent High Priest, Companion Charles P. Kimball, acting Excellent King; and Companion W. J. Galbraith, acting Excellent Scribe; of the chapter. The petition was signed by Companions R. C. Martin, C. P. Kimball, W. J. Galbraith, F. D. W. Holbrook, P. H. Wheeler, L. A. Bender, C. T. Holman, C. M. Bridges, and John R. Taylor. A Dispensation was issued on November 23, 1903, by the Grand High Priest John N. Prather, to remain in force until the next Annual Grand Convocation of the Grand Chapter.

144 The first stated meeting was held on November 24, 1903, at which time the Dispensation was received and the principal officers were authorized to purchase all paraphernalia required and changes necessary in the lodge room to accommodate a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, with Stated Convocations to be held on the second and fourth Tuesdays and Special Convocations on the first and third Tuesdays of each month. The first petitions for degrees were received at this Convocation from Brother Samuel Sadler, who died on December 11, 1933. Companion John Lenenberger of Ferguson Chapter No. 5 of Corvallis, Oregon, applied for affiliation, was referred to a committee, approved, and elected to membership. The first officers of Olympus Chapter were Companions R. E. Martin, High Priest, Charles P. Kimball, King; W. J. Galbraith, Scribe; E. B. Benson, Treasurer; E. T. Holman, Secretary; P. L. Turner, Captain of Host; P. H. Wheeler, Principal Sojourner; L. A. Bender, Royal Arch Captain; W. D. Grant, Master of Third Veil; C. M. Bridges, Master of Second Veil; Bart Stephenson, Master of First Veil; and John Lenenberger, Sentinel. Fees were $40 and dues were $3 per year. The first set of by-Laws was adopted on January 5, 1904. Membership picked up from the beginning as degrees were conferred at each Stated and Special Convocation. At a Stated Convocation on July 19, 1904, the chapter opened on the Royal Arch for the purpose of constituting a new chapter under charter by the following Grand Chapter Officers: R. S. Nichols, Grand High Priest; W. V. Rinehart, Deputy Grand High Priest; and Isaac Parker, Grand Scribe. The Charter was June 20, 1904, with Charles P. Kimball, High Priest, William J. Galbraith, King; and Lewis A. Bender, Scribe; with 20 Companions as Charter members. Hall rent was very reasonable in the early days, being $10 per month. The secretary received $1 per month at that time for his services. The minutes were short and to the point, never seeming to contain more than a couple dozen lines, until later years. Among the records were many beautifully worded resolutions composed by Companion William B. Seymore, who was the treasurer for a number of years. It was nice to behold the fine minutes written in longhand by. Companions Bart Stephenson and James C. Foley, as they were indeed beautiful writers. At a Stated Convocation on May 20, 1913, a motion was made that the secretary receive $50 per year for his services from January 1, 1913. Members of the chapter who served as Grand High Priests were Charles P. Kimball in 1915, Lewis A. Bender in 1935, and Gilbert L. Kaseburg in 1973. The Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons held their 76th Annual Convocation in Bremerton in May 1960 with Most Excellent Companion Ralph W. Gelback presiding. Olympus Chapter reached its high point in membership in 1945 with a total of 290 members, with Most Excellent Companion Gilbert L. Kaseburg serving as High Priest and Very Excellent Companion Merle Beham as Secretary. Mem- bership started to decline after World War II ended as employment in the Navy Yard decreased. At the present time we have 65 members on the rolls at the end of 1981. With more activity in the chapter and an increase in candidates, the chapter should show some improvement. At the present time we have two 50-year members: Ray L. Schutt who at 91 years has been a Royal Arch Mason since May 1, 1922, and Excellent Companion Frederick H. Waters who at 86 years of age has been a Royal Arch member since October 28, 1921, and is still active in the chapter. He is a dual member with Lincoln Park Chapter No. 56, having served Lincoln Park Chapter as High Priest in 1936 and thirty years later in 1966 was High Priest of Olympus Chapter No. 27.

145 146 PACIFIC #28 On February 26, 1908, a constitutional number of Royal Arch Masons received Dispensation to establish a Chapter at South Bend, in Pacific County, to be called Pacific Chapter U.D., Companion William H. Bowen as High Priest. On September 19, 1908, the secretary notified the Grand High Priest that their High Priest had passed away. After the Chapter members had unanimously selected Solomon Smith as High Priest, Most Excellent Companion Robert McCrosky issued his warrant appointing him to that station. Charter was issued June 19, 1908. On December 8, 1908, the Grand High Priest issued his proxy to Excellent Companion Lafayette Lawrence, High Priest of Sunset Chapter No. 23, to conduct the ceremonies of Constitution, which he completed on December 19. Their membership had its ups and downs over the years—reaching a high of 135 in 1952. The Chapter was honored to have one of its companions, Fred Bond, serve the Grand Chapter as High Priest in 1938. In compliance with Grand Chapter By-Laws, Pacific Chapter No. 28 consolidated with West Shore Chapter No. 13 on April 1, 1963.

CARNATION #29 Carnation seems to be an unusual name for a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons located in the city of Kent, especially when there is a town so named not too far away. However, Kent is located in the Green River Valley of Western Washington and at the time our Chapter was formed was surrounded by principally hops and dairy farms that prospered from the fertile soil found here. It was at this location that Brother E. A. Stuart, a member of Arcana Lodge, founded the Carnation Milk Company and produced the first evaporated milk. The company contributed much to the economic wellbeing of the valley, in particular the dairy farmers, and was highly regarded in the community. It therefore seems most appropriate that our charter members should select Carnation as the name for their newly organized Chapter. Carnation's history begins in 1908 when thirteen Royal Arch Masons sojourning in Kent petitioned the Grand Chapter for a Dispensation to form their own Chapter. The dispensation was issued March 7 of that year by Most Excellent Companion Francis B. West. Soon afterward, on March 12, 1908, the first convocation was held with Excellent Companion W. Bassett presiding and the following charter members as officers: John Wooding, King; Owen Taylor, Scribe; Emil Bereiter, Secretary; William Shinn, Treasurer; Robert Davidson, Captain of Host; William Overlock, Principal Sojourner; Harmon Rice, Royal Arch Captain; James Findley, Master of the Third Veil; Hiram Keltner, Master of the Second Veil; James Martin, Master of the First Veil; and Duncan McDonald, Sentinel. At this first convocation under dispensation, a motion prevailed that annual dues shall be $2, initiation fee $50, and that each chapter member pay $10 to be credited as dues. A total of six petitions were received at this and the following convocation. Among those petitioners were Issac Calhoun and Lewis Smith. Companion Smith was elected King while Companion Calhoun was appointed Royal Arch Captain of the newly charter chapter. At a subsequent meeting a committee was appointed to draft By-Laws to be submitted to Grand Chapter. At the 24th Annual Convocation of Grand Chapter, motions were made and adopted that the by-Laws submitted by Carnation be accepted and that a Charter be granted. Due to extenuating circumstances, the appropriate signatures for the charter could not be immediately secured. It was not until June 30, 1908, that our charter was issued, being made retroactive to June 19 with 19 charter members. On October 28 of that same year, Most Excellent Companion William Rinehart, Past Grand High Priest, with the proxy and warrant of Most Excellent Companion Robert McCroskey, current Grand High Priest, constituted, consecrated and installed the officers of Carnation Chapter No. 22, Royal Arch Masonry, located at Kent, Washington. From this core of active Charter Companions a strong, viable chapter developed. It was during these early years that the foundations were laid for the excellent fraternal relationship that continues to exist between Carnation and Verity Lodge No. 59. Membership made a steady increase. Among the petitions received by the chapter were those of several prominent brothers and citizens from not only Verity Lodge and Kent but also from surrounding symbolic lodges and cities. Following an apparent rule of Royal Arch Chapters in general, Carnation has had, and continues to enjoy, its share of companions who are not only key individuals in symbolic Lodges and Masonry in general but are well respected leaders in their community. Among them can identified lawyers, farmers, dentists, barbers, physicians, merchants, and representatives from a large variety of crafts, trades, and professions. During the early 1920's membership in Carnation reached its all-time high, as well as showing a marked decrease. Being a chapter of active members, it seems only appropriate that it would be the seedbed from which two additional Royal Arch Chapters grew. It was on the recommendation of Carnation that Dispensation was granted to ten companions at Enumclaw to form their own chapter during 1921. Several companions from Carnation were charter members of the newly formed Enumclaw Chapter. Furthermore, in 1922 approximately 30 companions demitted from Carnation to form Auburn Chapter. Among those demitting were a number of our officers as well as Past High Priest Robert B. Palmer, who in 1942 was elected

147 Grand High Priest, Royal Arch Masons of Washington. Auburn Chapter has since been renamed in honor of Most Excellent Companion Palmer, who was exalted at and served as High Priest of Carnation Chapter. Such a drastic decrease in membership could have been a death blow to a chapter that we not fortunate enough to possess loyal, far-sighted, and hard-working companions as those found at Carnation. In the finest spirit of Royal Arch Masonry, the remaining officers and companions renewed their efforts with even greater vigor and, once again, set about rebuilding their charter membership. Following the formation of Auburn and Enumclaw Chapters, the membership of Carnation gradually increased, with small varieties, to 61 in 1931. Due to the economic hard times of the 1930's and 40's, membership again took a turn downward to 32 during World War II. During the depression years, in an effort to conserve chapter funds, the frequency of convocations was decreased from twice to once a month, and continues to remain at that rate. From those years to the present, the chapter's membership has increased with small setbacks and for several years has hovered around the fifties and sixties. It is pleasing to note that even though we cannot boast a large membership we can, however, be proud of the dedication of our companions to Carnation, for it is a rare occasion when a pro-tern officer is required at our convocations which are usually attended by approximately one-third of our membership. During the early years it was the rule rather than the exception that the Royal Arch Chapters in our surrounding area held joint convocations for the purpose of installing officers. These were usually attended by a goodly number of Grand Chapter officers with the current Grand High Priest or a Past Grand High Priest officiating. They were well attended and proved most enjoyable and instructive for those present. When the system of districts was adopted by the Grand Chapter of Washington, it was these same chapters that comprised District No. 5. At present joint installations are not common but an exceptionally excellent Masonic relationship exists between Carnation and our fellow chapters in the Fifth District. Visitation by our officers to other chapters in the district and theirs to ours is a most common occurrence and special effort is made to perpetuate this tradition. On June 14, 1959, Carnation celebrated its fiftieth anniversary of its Charter. The event was a gala affair with nearly 200 persons present. A beautiful bouquet of carnations and the personal message of congratulations from the president of Carnation Milk Company were received. Congratulatory speeches and instructive remarks were given by visiting dignitaries. Among those present were Most Excellent Companion Robert L. McCrosky, who signed our Charter as Grand High Priest in 1908. It was an exceptional pleasure for Carnation to make this Most Excellent Companion an honorary member of our Chapter for that evening. An overview of the trials and accomplishments of Carnation and its Companions during the preceding 50 years was given. During those years, eight companions served as High Priest of our chapter for almost two- thirds of its history including: T. W. Bassett, J. R. Martin, J. L. Findly, R. B. Palmer, G. J. Eastes, L. D. Black, L. F. Oien, and F. H. Straub. A number of those Excellent Sirs also served the Grand Chapter of Washington in various capacities. As noted previously, Most Excellent Companion Robert B. Palmer served as Grand High Priest in 1941. Since our 50th anniversary, the records show only one individual serving our Chapter as High Priest for more than one term. He is J. Gordon Edwards, who affiliated from Jo Davies Chapter in Kentucky in 1974 and was elected for the years 1977 and 1980. Additionally, since 1958, three Companions have served as Deputies of the Grand High Priest for District No. 5. They are James S. (Sig) Oien, Harry L. Fisher, and Wayne E. Gannon. Excellent Companion Harold R. Schramm served as Grand Sentinel during 1982-83. These companions, like so many others, continue to take stations in the chapter whenever asked and needed. It is also the credit of Very Excellent Companion Sig Oien that he has served as the treasurer for Carnation since 1961. The dedication of this gentleman and his love for Royal Arch Masonry is an example which should be emulated by all Companions. Very Excellent Companion Sig is the brother of E. C. Lee Oien noted above and his son, James E., also served Carnation as High Priest in 1961. Companions Sig, his brother Lee, and Edward Smith are currently fifty-year members of Carnation. The Masonic Temple in Kent, built during the latter part of the 1800's, served as Carnation's home for many years. However, during the 1940's and 50's it became apparent that a new temple would have to be built. Companion R. Bruce Hopkins was the principal designer of the new structure. Verity Lodge sold bonds to support the construction and, in the spirit of fellowship that exists between Carnation and Verity, our chapter bought bond number one. Of course, a vast majority of the Companions contributed individually also. Almost all of the labor needed for the construction was supplied by the Brothers and Companions. The move into the new Kent Masonic Hall was made during 1962. Since the move to our new home, Carnation Chapter has continued to play an active role in the Masonic community of the Green River Valley, giving strong individual support to the youth meeting in the hall, playing an active role in the Royal Arch Park in Maple Valley, supporting the Royal Arch Children's Heart Foundation, and providing support whenever called upon by our brothers of Verity Lodge. Our Companions can be found as working participants and strong supporters of the many facets of Masonry in our area. We look upon our history and the quality of our membership with pride, knowing we can anticipate continued years of fulfilling the most pleasurable duties found in dispensing further light in Masonry to our brethren.

148 PROSSER #30 Under the provisions of a resolution passed at the last convocation and deeming Prosser Chapter U.D. in condition to be legally constituted, Grand High Priest Robert McCroskey, on April 17, 1909, issued to Right Excellent Companion Yancey Blalock, Grand Secretary, the Past Grand High Priest, his Warrant and proxy to proceed to Prosser Chapter and if found proficient, to constitute it as a regular chapter, and install its officers. On May 5, he reported that the examination had been made, and had thereupon duly consecrated and constituted it as Prosser Chapter No. 30, and installed its officers, Companion M. B. Shelby, as Excellent High Priest. Charter members were 21. The membership reached a high of 81 in 1921, then dropped to 35 in 1925. They held a meeting in December and voted each companion a demit and notified the Grand Secretary (Kennan) that they wished to surrender their Charter. There being no prospect of a revival of the Chapter at that time, the Grand High Priest William Drips had nothing to do but accept the surrender of the Charter. At his request, Excellent Companion W. P. Williams took possession of the Chapter property and shipped it to the Grand Secretary.

PULLMAN #31 This Chapter was granted Dispensation on June 6, 1908, by Most Excellent Companion Frances B. West, Grand High Priest, Royal Arch Masons in Washington. Eleven petitions for the Degrees were received. The Royal Arch Degree was conferred on the eleven candidates on July 30, 1908. Present at the meeting on June 6, 1908, were the following. Excellent Companion H. W. Canfield, Colfax Chapter No. 8 was Excellent High Priest. Present also at that convocation were Royal Arch Masons from the following chapters: Colfax Chapter No. 8, 5; Spokane Chapter No. 2, 1; Tekoa Chapter No. 18, 1; Olympia Chapter No. 7, 2; North Star Chapter No. 11, Chatfield, Minnesota, 1; Summit Chapter No. 49, St. Paul, Minnesota, 1; and one member, Chapter unknown. Pullman Chapter No. 31 was constituted May 20, 1909, by Most Excellent Companion Robert L. McCroskey, Grand High Priest, Royal Arch Masons in Washington. He was a member of Colfax Chapter and resided in Colfax. From 1909 to 1911 the Royal Arch Masons and Blue Lodge Masons met in separate halls. Royal Arch Masons met in the I.O.O.F. Hall; Blue Lodge Masons held their meeting in the Squire Gaddis Hall. Dues were $4. Rent in the Masonic Hall was $6.75 per month. The Royal Arch Masons and Blue Lodge Masons moved into our present location in the Old National Bank Building, February 1918. Interesting excerpts from minutes: September 29, 1910—Resident Ministers- $40.00 initiation fee waived—approved. June 7, 1920—"Whereas Whitman Lodge No. 49 has purchased site with the end in view of providing a home for the Masonic Bodies of the town, and whereas such an undertaking is also of great benefit to Pullman Chapter No. 31 encourage the above enterprise and will do all in its power to promote it and hereby authorize and instruct its council to loan to Whitman Lodge No. 49 at 4 percent interest such funds as may be available for investment. Resolution adopted." September 18, 1930—"A copy of the document giving the list of officers of Pullman Chapter No. 31, Royal Arch Masons, and other data which was deposited in the cornerstone of the U.S. Post Office building was read for information." The Chapter has sponsored two DeMolay Chapters. In the early days joint installation was held with the Blue Lodge and Crescent Chapter No. 53, O.E.S. Yearly crab feeds (free) and card parties were held. On October 23, 1958, 130 Royal Arch Masons and ladies celebrated the 75th Anniversary of Grand Chapter and the 50th Anniversary of Pullman Chapter No. 31 with a banquet at the Whelan Grange Hall. This Chapter has been honored by having three Grand High Priests. On December 3, 1981, Colfax Chapter No. 8 Royal Arch Masons consolidated with Pullman Chapter Royal Arch Masons. A separate history will be compiled for Colfax Chapter.

149 PULLMAN #31 OFFICERS

UNIVERSITY #32 Under the date of December 8, 1910, the Grand High Priest Fred Elsensohn received an application from Seattle signed by 28 Royal Arch Masons asking for a Dispensation to form a new Chapter to be known as University Chapter U.D. He, believing that the conditions justified the forming of this chapter and that the interests of Capitular Masonry in this jurisdiction would be advanced by so doing, on December 16 issued a dispensation forming this chapter and named as High Priest Ralph C. McAllaster. On July 14, 1911, the Grand High Priest Wesley Stone convened the Grand Chapter in the hall of University Chapter, and constituted it as Chapter No. 32, then installed its officers. At this point I would like to quote a portion of the Grand High Priest's statement relating to the new chapter, which I feel is apropos. 'The wisdom of constituting this fourth chapter in the city of Seattle had been questioned by some of the companions of Seattle, but if any doubt had existed in the minds of those companions as to the ability of this chapter to take care of itself and make a creditable showing, I am sure that doubt was removed from the mind of every companion present on this occasions, for the officers installed were 'live wires,' every one of them, and we were sure there would be 'things doing' in University Chapter from the start." There was more, but this was used to point out that the same atmosphere exists today, 73 years later. All the beliefs were borne out, as their membership made a phenomenal ascent. By 1929 they had 375 members. But during the 30's and into the 40's there was a decline, but then the Chapter started to build up and reached the all-time high of 491 in 1958. One of their members, Rodney Gilbert, Jr., received the General Grand Chapter Distinguished Service Award in 1964. Several members have served with distinction in the Grand Chapter, including three as Grand High Priest: Walter H. Steffey in 1936, Audley Mahaffey in 1953, and Robert Watterson in 1963. They had 418 members on the rolls in 1965.

150 UPDATE REPORT OF UNIVERSITY CHAPTER #32 RAM - DECEMBER 9, 2011 HighPriest Date Secretary Date Paul W. Jarrett 1984 Michael A. Marinelli 1985 Robert G. Balden 1985 Bert Nygaard 1986 Robert G. Balden 1986 Donald R. Wayland 1987 Robert G. Balden 1987 Roald M. Bloom 1988 Bert Nygaard 1988 Virgil A. Porter 1989 Bert Nygaard 1989 Michael A. Marinelli 1990 Bert Nygaard 1990 Peder S. Grambo 1991 Bert Nygaard 1991 Richard C. McMillan 1992 Bert Nygaard 1992 Harry M Coffman 1993 Robert G. Balden 1993 Richard H. Lowman 1994 James E. Carsten 1994 Roald M. Bloom 1995 James E. Carsten 1995 James T. Stephens 1996 James T. Stephens 1997 Peder S. Grambo 1998 James T. Stephens 1998 George H. Price 1999 James t. Stephens 1999 George H. Price 2000 James T. Stephens 2000 Douglas C. Hoggatt 2001 James T. Stephens 2001 William Volpentest 2002 James T. Stephens 2002 Barry N. Stroyan 2003 James T. Stephens 2003 William Volpantest 2004 James T. Stephens 2004 Douglas C. Hoggatt 2005 James T. Stephens 2005 Douglas C. Hoggatt 2005 William A. Shortt 2005 David C. Flood 2006 William A. Shortt 2006 Carl C. Edelman 2007 William A. Shortt 2007 Barry N. Stroyan 2008 William A. Shortt 2008 Barry N. Stroyan 2009 William A. Shortt 2009 Douglas C. Hoggatt 2010 William A. Shortt 2010 Timothy F. Hurley 2011 William A. Shortt 2011 Douglas C. Hoggatt 2012 William A. Shortt 2012

Time line for membership starts in 1997 - the earliest yearend report that I have, William A. Shortt, Secretary: 1997 104 members 2001 80 members 2003 79 members 2005 60 members 2007 79 members 2010 61 members

Ballard Chapter No. 26 merged into University Chapter No: 32 June 2005 In 2005 some of the data indicated that previous dues were $14.65. Where this figure came I do not know. The bylaws stated dues are $14.25. One of our companions wrote a 50 year history of University 32. But we have not been able to find the historical data of the chapter or other items such as minutes, yearend reports and financial records. The Chapter has always met in the University Lodge Hall. Of the 59 members in good standing there 15 dues paying, 19 life members of grand chapter, 15 chapter life members and10 fifty year members. University has two types of life members. There those who belong to the York Rite Masons Life Membership and Memorial Foundation and those who belong to the University Chapter Life Membership Program. University has a Grand Fathered Chapter Life Membership program for those members who enrolled prior to 1985. Of the 15 dues paying members 5 pay only $7.00 as they were given a life membership by virtue of being a Past High Priest but they must pay the Grand Chapter per capita tax.

151 PASCO #33 A request for Dispensation to form a new Chapter was received from Pasco, signed by 15 Royal Arch Masons, and was recommended by Prosser Chapter. The Grand High Priest Wesley Stone felt that with their new Masonic Hall nearly completed and the spirit of earnestness and push that is prophetic with success, surely they would succeed, and granted them a Dispensation on September 19, 1911, naming Richard A. Kilinge High Priest. The Grand High Priest visited the new chapter on May 39, 1912, and was not only greatly pleased, but much surprised, to find what the companions had accomplished in the short time since they had received dispensation to work. He at that time recommended granting of their charter. On July 12 he commissioned Right Excellent Companion Yancey Blalock, Grand Secretary, to proceed to and constitute Pasco Chapter No. 33 and install its officers, which he did, with ten companions from Walla Walla Chapter No. 1, on September 9, 1912. One of their members, Strother Douglass, was the recipient in 1955 of the General Grand Chapter Distinguished Service Award. They were further honored by having had Arthur Lassila elected as Grand High Priest in 1954. Membership was 323 in 1965. MEC Charles Kilbury served as Grand High Priest 1997-98. He was born 02/02/1919 and passed away on 01/17/2005. Activities within Pasco Chapter 33 has been relatively quiet recently. One major event was that 9n 2007 the Chapter moved from Pasco to Richland. This event was caused by the sale of the Pasco temple. Several of our companions, including two Honorary Grand High Priests Frank Fisher and William Kemorek passed to the presence of the Great Architect of the Universe. HPGHP William Kemorek passed shortly after receiving the honor. Membership in the chapter has dwindled over the years and is now down to a total of 26.

WATERVILLE #34 On January 23, 1912, the Grand High Priest Wesley Stone received an application from Waterville, signed by eleven Royal Arch Masons, and recommended by the unanimous vote of the Companions of Wenatchee Chapter that their request be granted. Accompanying this request was a declaration signed by 26 Master Masons, members of Badger Mountain Lodge at Waterville, stating their purpose of making application for the Chapter Degrees as soon as a Chapter was constituted there. The Grand High Priest granted them a Dispensation and named S. C. Calderhead as High Priest. It was chartered on June 14. As was planned, they exalted 24 members in the first year, but the membership did not climb much after that, reaching a high of 48 in 1914-15. On April 4, 1919, the Grand High Priest Jacob Miller went to Waterville in company of several officers of Wenatchee Chapter No. 22. While there he investigated the condition of the Chapter. After considering the situation in all aspects, it was unanimously decided that the Chapter's Charter be surrendered and the paraphernalia be turned in to the Grand Chapter.

SUNNYSIDE VALLEY #35 July 17, 1912, the Grand High Priest William Rowland granted a Dispensation authorizing John G. Heinz to act as High Priest with 18 other companions at Sunny-side, to open a Chapter and confer the Degrees and to be known as Sunnyside Chapter U.D. On August 13, 1913, he visited the new Chapter. Afterward he stated, "These companions are entitled to the highest praise for their enthusiasm and work they have done since receiving their Dispensation. They have exalted 14 teams and have another ready, they have trebled their membership and their equipment is of the best, and their proficiency is of the highest order in doing their work." He also congratulated them and granted the Charter. On October 18, 1913, one of Grand High Priest John C. Minton's first official duties was opening of the Grand Chapter in Special Convocation at Sunnyside for the purpose of constituting it as Chapter No. 35 and installing its officers, which he did according to ancient forms and ceremonies. Within one year their membership had increased to 67, then climbed to 155 in 1924, then declined to a low of 47 in 1933, at which time it reversed and slowly but steadily climbed to an all-time high of 171 in 1953. The Chapter is honored by having two of their companions being elected as Grand High Priest: John Heinz in 1931 and Cassius Crowe in 1944. In 1965 they had 100 members on the rolls.

GOLDENDALE #36 Most Excellent Grand High Priest William Rowland granted on August 31, 1912 to W. B. Presby as High Priest a dispensation to open a Chapter at Golden-dale, to be known as Goldendale Chapter U.D. During the 19th Annual Convocation the Committee on Chapters U.D. reported that their records were signed only by the secretary and found no

152 copies of the constitution and by-laws or record of their having been approved by the Most Excellent Grand High Priest. They, however, recommended that a Charter be granted when the defect on signature was remedied and when the Grand High Priest had approved their Constitution and Bylaws. Date of Charter, September 16, 1913. Charter members were 19. On November 22, 1913, the Grand High Priest issued his proxy to Right Excellent Companion Yancey Blalock, Grand Secretary, to constitute Goldendale Chapter No. 36 and to install its Officers. Their membership increased gradually and reached a high of 81 in 1924—since that time it has been up and down. In 1965 they had 69 members.

KEYSTONE #37 On the evening of March 18, 1913, a group of Royal Arch Masons met at the Masonic Hall, 5601 Union Avenue, Edison (Tacoma), Washington, to discuss formation of a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons. Most Excellent Grand High Priest W. G. Rowland called the meeting to order and appointed several companions to the several stations and places. Companions appointed were James M. McCormack, High Priest; Harry E. Stiler, King; F. N. McCaulder, Scribe; C. S. Stelmer, Treasurer; C. D. Atkins, Secretary; S. A. Wynn, C. of H.; J. B. Linger-man, P.S.; G. M. Gunderson, R.A.C.; C. F. Erickson, Third Veil; J. A. Collins, Second Veil; G. P. Farqukor, First Veil; and H. C. Jensen, Sentinel. After discussion, the fee for degrees was fixed at $40 with dues set at $3 per year. The first Convocation of Keystone Chapter U.D. was held Wednesday, April 9, 1913. A Dispensation from Most Excellent Grand High Priest Rowland was read designating Keystone Chapter U.D. and authorizing said chapter to open and hold lodges of Mark Master, Past Master, and Most Excellent Masters and a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons. Six petitions were received and referred to an investigating committee. The first stated convocation of Keystone Chapter U.D. was held May 7, 1913. Three petitions were received and referred to the investigating committee and six brethren were balloted upon and elected to receive the degrees. On May 21, 1913, the chapter officers conf erred the Mark Master Degree on six candidates in regular form. From this date, Keystone Chapter became an active chapter conferring the successive degrees along with the Royal Arch. Tuesday evening, November 4, 1913, a special convocation of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Washington was held in the Masonic Hall of Clover Lodge No. 91, F.&.A.M., for the purpose of constituting Keystone Chapter No. 37, Royal Arch Masons. The Grand Chapter was opened in ample form by Most Excellent Grand High Priest John C. Winton, who constituted Keystone Chapter No. 37 and installed the following officers: Excellent Companion James McCormack, High Priest; Companion Harry E. Stiler, King; Companion Frank N. McCaulder, Scribe; Companion George Piper, Treasurer; Companion Charles D. Atkins, Secretary; Companion J. B. Lingerman, Chaplain; Companion H. C. Ridgeway, Captain of Host; Companion Robert Bodgar, Principal Sojourner; Companion G. M. Gunderson, R.A.C.; Companion H. Z. Ramsdell, Master of the Third Veil; Companion John A. Collin, Master of the Second Veil; Companion George Farqukor, Master of the First Veil; and Companion L. W. Hoffman, Sentinel. Interesting remarks were made by the Grand High Priest and several companions present. The Grand Chapter and Keystone Chapter No. 37 were closed and the companions retired to the banquet hall for refreshments. Excellent Companion James McCormack, who was a member of State Lodge, served the chapter as High Priest from its inception in 1913 to June 1915. McCormack became the Grand High Priest of Royal Arch Masons of Washington in 1927. Most Worthy Brother Charles D. Atkins, Past Grand Master, served the chapter as secretary during its formative years and received the first dues receipt of Keystone Chapter U.D. By May 20, 1915, the membership had risen to 44 companions with a savings account balance of $231.83. The present membership is 78 with a healthy savings account. Keystone Chapter No. 37 meets on the third Tuesday of every month, except July and August. The convocations are held at Clover Masonic Temple, 54th and South Puget Sound, Tacoma, Washington. Excellent Companion Chris Jacobson serves as High Priest along with Caries P. Towne, King, and Excellent Companion Orville Bailey, Scribe. Keystone, along with the other two Chapters in District No. 3, sponsors the annual Royal Arch Children's Heart Ball, raising considerable funds for the welfare of children needing the services of our Association.

ANGELES #38 Angeles Chapter No. 38 was granted a Charter September 22, 1914. Enclosed is the historical data we have gathered from the records we have available. There are no Charter members living. However, J. Lyle Beam signed the register May 15, 1918, and is still with us. A photostatic copy of the members register dated June 1915 and treasurer's record dated May 1914 are enclosed. This may be a record of the charter members.

153 Angeles Chapter's first High Priest was Chester Coleman Dobbs. Grand Chapter officers at that time, Grand High Priest John C. Winton, Grand K. C. D. Kimball, Grand Scribe Frank Baker, and Grand Secretary Yancy C. Blalock. Many of the companions who signed the register were leading citizens of the community as remembered by this writer. This Chapter enjoyed a period of prosperity during the late 40's, 50's, and 60's, performing its own work in an exemplary manner. As "spark plugs" we mention Very Excellent Companion John Goneis for his ability to bring in new candidates; Excellent Companion Tom Dickinson and Excellent Companion Fred Young, two outstanding Secretaries; Excellent Companion J. R. McDonald, Excellent Companion Victor Kuenzel, and Excellent Companion S. S. Olney for their dependability and devotion to the Chapter. Also during period through the efforts of Excellent Companion Tom Dickenson the Association of Past High Priests was formed and functioned for about 6 years. Very Excellent Companion Leslie H. White was instrumental in arranging York Rite Grand Sessions in our city in 1974. Through his efforts the Royal Arch Widows Club was formed. This club started the potluck dinners on meeting nights, thus bringing out more companions to the meetings During the last decade the Chapter has been one of the leading contributors to the Royal Arch Children's Heart Foun- dation. Our annual spaghetti dinner has been the major fund-raising project for our contribution. Companions with the help of the Royal Arch Widows Club and the Rainbow Girls diligently worked on this dinner. Companion Ed Hamilton has been the chief cook and ticket seller through the years. Our Chapter has been honored with the appointment of Excellent Companion William R. Heckman to the Executive Board of the Royal Arch Children's Heart Foundation. Fifty-year members presently (1984) are J. Lyle Beam, George C. Beayne, Oral Freeman, Very Excellent Companion John Goneis, Excellent Companion Robert I. Polhamus, Graham Ralston, and Excellent Companion Thomas P. Window.

154 ANGELES #38 OFFICERS

155 ISSAQUAH #39 On July 31, 1914, a petition was received from a number (13) of Companions for a Chapter U.D. to be located at Issaquah in King County. It being regular in form and accompanied by proper recommendation and certificates, a Dispensation was issued on August 25, 1914. Being unable to attend the constituting of Chapter No. 39, the Grand High Priest Henry Kennan issued the proper authority to Past Grand High Priest John Minton to act on his proxy. In due time he received the following report, "Acting as your Special Deputy, I proceeded to Issaquah and on the evening of November 14, constituted Issaquah Chapter No. 39 and installed George H. T. Sparling as High Priest and the other Officers." Membership went up to 87 in 1924 but dropped to 58 in 1929. At the end of 1937 the Chapter had 58 members, at which time a resolution was presented at the December Convocation, which read, "Whereas, due to the distance from a sufficient number of Lodges of Free and Accepted Masons, Issaquah Chapter has for the past several years found it increasingly difficult to secure and maintain numerical membership necessary to insure a growing and prosperous Chapter, and Whereas, by moving this Chapter to Renton, Washington, the members hereof believe that there are considerable numbers of Masonic Blue Lodges contiguous thereto from which to attract desirable members and the cause of Royal Arch Masonry be thereby materially advanced." The resolution was passed. Issaquah Chapter held their February 1938 Convocation in St. Andrews Masonic Temple in Renton, Washington, which has been the Chapter's home since. Most Excellent Companion F. Allan Lane served as Grand High Priest in 1956. The membership climbed to its high of 187 in 1958. In 1965 they had 150 members on the rolls Summary 1990 – 1994 We began the last decade of the 20th century under the leadership of EC Lloyd Salter. Over the next four years, the chapter remained in capable hands under EC William McCollum, VEC Doran Francis for his tour in the center, VEC Allan Ausman for his second turn, and finally under the capable direction of EC Earl Buckner. Issaquah Chapter membership stood at sixty- seven companions. Summary 1995 – 1999 Continuing the march to the new millennium, EC Gene Chandler took up the reins for his second stint as High Priest. The following year, Don J. Beck who would later rise to the ultimate position in Royal Arch Masonry in Washington, took his turn for a sophomore rendition of leadership. In 1997, EC William L. Cluphf would lead our chapter until his very untimely passing in July of that year. VEC John S. Livie Jr. (the editor never gets tired of saying his name) who was King at the time ascended to the center of trio for the remainder of 1997 and continuing through 1998. In 1999, our favorite son, MEC Gene Miles answered the tug of his cable-tow and carried us through the final year of the century. Membership was now at fifty- six companions. Summary 2000 – 2004 The arrival of the 21st century saw continued decline in Royal Arch Masonry membership in general and in Issaquah Chapter in particular. EC Larry D. Harger opened this new century followed by VEC Robert J. Pratt. A significant occurrence to one companion in particular and Issaquah Chapter in general was the election of (then VEC) Don J. Beck to Grand Scribe during the 2001 Grand Sessions closing out his two-year tour of duty as the deputy of the Grand High Priest. During 2001/2002, redistricting took Issaquah Chapter from District #5 to District #15. We were ably led through the remainder of these first five years of the new century by EC Thomas Boyle in 2003, EC James D. O’Rourke and in 2004 under EC Richard Meredith, a quick learner who was exalted in 1999. November 2003 REC. Donald Beck installed E. C. Richard Meredith as High Priest for the Year 2004. January 13, 2004 Two candidates from Robert B. Palmer Chapter No. 46 received the Mark Master Past Master, and Most Excellent Master degrees at Issaquah. VEC Al Ausman conferred the Mark Master degree; EC Larry Harger conferred the Past Master and Most Excellent Master degrees. April 2004 The chapter traveled to Fall City for their semi-annual meeting in April. VEC Jerry Whitney presented EC Robert Pratt with Gold Award from the York Rite College of North America. May 2004 Several companions were installed in the grand line at the Grand Sessions in May. REC Donald Beck Grand High Priest, EC John Livie District Deputy, EC Robert Pratt Grand Master of the 3rd Veil. R. E. C. Donald Beck made his official visit in June, and the charter was moved to the Royal Arch Park in July for the Royal Arch Degree. The Grand Chapter officers served as the degree team. EC James O’Rourke was presented with a certificate naming him as representative to the G.R.A.M. of Alberta, Canada. November 9, 2004 EC Robert Pratt was re-elected to the office of High Priest in MEC Donald Beck installed the following officers: EC Robert Pratt Excellent High Priest, VEC. Allan Ausman King, VEC. Dorn Francis Scribe, VEC John Livie Treasurer, EC James O’Rourke Secretary, Shaun Yabandeh Captain of Host, EC Thomas Boyle Principle Sojourner, EC Richard Meredith Royal Arch Captain, Gene Gannon Master of 3rd Veil, VEC Douglas Edlich Master of 2nd Veil, Brian Thomas Master of 1st Veil, EC Larry Harger Sentinel

156 December 2004 EC Richard Meredith made a donation of $350.00 to the apron fund. An anonymous donor bought 200 new pennies and a stamping die. There were 46 members on the roster for 2004, and unfortunately no petitions January 2005 Meeting The Chapter was called down to refreshment, and the ladies were invited in to hear former state representative, Companion Brian Thomas, give a most informative talk on the workings of the state legislature. February 2005 The chapter was called down to refreshment to invite the ladies in. M.E.C. Donald Beck presented V.E.C. Douglas Edlich with his 50-year pin. In keeping with the theme of “50,” Douglas made a donation of $555.55 to the chapter. M.E.C. Donald Beck then presented EC James O. Wood with a warrant naming him as Grand Representative to Colorado. March 2005 VEC John Livie made his official visit as District Deputy. On March 22, 2005, four candidates for Issaquah Chapter and 36 others received the Royal Arch Degree at the Grand Masters Class for M.W.G.M. Saturo “Sat” Tashiro. High Priest E.C. Robert Pratt mailed out a request asking for donations of $20.00. It was announced at the May 2005 meeting that $1,250.00 had been received. This was in lieu of a coffee stop. April 2005 fifteen companions from Issaquah Chapter made their yearly visit to Fall City. May 2005 EC Robert Pratt was installed as Grand Historian at the York Rite Grand Sessions. June 2005 It was announced that an unknown donor presented Issaquah with a set of new banners for the Veils men. September 2005 Long time companion past high priest, Earl Buckner passed away. November 8, 2005 M.E.C. R. Dale Fluaitt installed the following officers at a joint installation in Fall City. C. Shaun Yabandeh Excellent High Priest, VEC Allan Ausman King, EC John Livie Treasurer, EC James O’Rourke Secretary, E.C. Robert Pratt Captain of Host, C. Gene Gannon Royal Arch Captain, EC Thomas Boyle Master of 1st6 Veil December 13, 2005 VEC Allan Ausman acting as Installing Grand High Priest installed the following Issaquah officers. VEC Dorn Francis Scribe, C. Brian Thomas Master of 3rd Veil, C. James G. Vey Master of 2nd Veil. January 3, 2006 Issaquah traveled to Enumclaw and conferred the Mark Master and Past Master degrees. January 9, 2006 VEC John Livie made his official visit as District Deputy to Issaquah. February 2006 Protem Excellent High Priest, VEC Al Ausman presided over the chapter in February. March 2006 The Mark Master and Past Master degrees were conferred on four brothers from St. Andrews No. 35. The Royal Arch Degree was conferred on these brothers at King Solomon in March. April 2006 Sixteen companions made the annual visit to Fall City and retrieved the traveling gavel. May 2006 MIC R. Dale Fluiett was greeted at the altar and escorted to the east by E.C. Shaun Yabandeh. Accompanying the Grand High Priest was R.E.C. Charlie Chapman, Deputy High Priest, and Lynn Bailey, Grand Scribe. At the Grand Sessions in May, E.C. Robert Pratt was installed as District Deputy to Charley Chapman in District 15. June 2006 MIC Charlie Chapman, Grand High Priest made his O.V. to Issaquah and was escorted to the East by EC Shaun Yabandeh and afforded the Private Grand Honors. MEC Charlie Chapman introduced the following Grand Chapter officers. VEC Allan Ausman Board of General Purposes, VEC John Livie Education and Training VEC Jerry Whitney Distinguished Visitors Committee, EC Duane Wilcox Grand Master of the 2nd Veil, VEC Ed Wilbert District Deputy of GHP District #5, VEC Robert Pratt District Deputy of GHP District #15, MEC Herbert Miller PGHP. Jurisprudence Committee, MEC James Stevens PGHP, MEC Donald Beck PGHP, REC Lynn Bailey Grand King, REC Herbert Weaver Grand Scribe A notification was received from the Children’s Heart Fund that VEC Douglas Edlich made a donation to the fund in the name of Inez Edlich. REC Herbert Weaver presented the chapter with a Certificate of Merit from the Children’s Heart Fund. MEC Chapman presented VEC Robert Pratt with a Certificate of Proficiency as Master of the 3rd Veil. VEC John Livie presented MEC Chapman with a beautiful hand-made gavel. MEC Herb Miller presented VEC Allen Ausman with the Gold Award from the York Rite College. September 2006 Fall City made their annual visit to Issaquah Chapter. Five companions from Fall City were in attendance. EC James O’Rourke received the Public Grand Honors for his five years of service to the Royal Arch Park. He announced his retirement. Chapter was closed by REC Ed Opstad Excellent High Priest for Fall City. October 2006 The following companions were elected as officers for 2007. Shaun Yabandeh High Priest, VEC Robert Pratt King, MEC Donald Beck Scribe, VEC John Livie Treasurer, EC James O’Rourke Secretary. November 2006 Fall City Chapter No. 54 traveled to Issaquah Chapter for a dual installation. REC Ed Opstad installed the following offices for Issaquah Chapter. Shaun Yabandeh High Priest, VEC Robert Pratt King, MEC. Donald Beck Scribe, VEC John Livie Treasurer, EC James O’Rourke Secretary, EC Thomas Boyle Principle Sojourner, Gene Gannon Captain of Host, VEC Allan Ausman Royal Arch Captain, Jonathan Fisher Master of 3rd Veil, EC Richard Merideth Master of 2nd Veil, VEC Dorn Francis Sentinel January 2007 The Chapter traveled to Carnation No. 29 ito assist conferring the Mark Master and Past Master Degree. February 2007 Companion Daryl Orseth. Received a 50-year pin from our Grand High Priest, MEC Charlie Chapman, and VEC Robert Pratt, High Priest protem. March 2007 The Chapter voted to donate $500.00 to St. Andrews Lodge No. 35 for new tables and chairs. September 2007 twelve companions traveled to Fall City for annual visit. A memorial was read for Lady Helen Miles.

157 October 2007 Most Excellent Companion, Ed Opstad, Grand High Priest was escorted to the east by VEC Robert Pratt, high priest protem and was accorded the private grand honors. The following companions were elected for the year 2008. Gene Gannon EHP, MEC Donald Beck King, VEC Robert Pratt Scribe, EC Daryl Orseth Treasurer, EC James O’Rourke Secretary, MEC Ed Opstad presented the chapter with a Certificate of Achievement Award. Companion Daryl Orseth received his 50-year certificate from MEC Ed Opstad. The certificate was presented at this time because it was not available when he received his pin. November 2007 The chapter traveled to Fall City for a dual installation. MEC Ed Opstad installed the following officers for Issaquah #39. Gene Gannon High Priest, MEC Donald Beck King, VEC Robert Pratt Scribe, Daryl Orseth Treasurer, EC James O’Rourke Secretary, VEC Allan Ausman Captain of Host, Jonathan Fisher Royal Arch Captain, VEC John Livie Master of 1st Veil, EC Richard K. Meredith Master of 2nd Veil, EC Shaun Yabandeh Master of 1st Veil, VEC Dorn Francis Sentinel, December 2007 Daryl Orseth passed away after serving as treasurer for less than a month. VEC John Livie accepted the nomination as treasurer and was installed by MEC Jerry Whitney. A memorial was read for Companion Daryl Orseth. January 2008 EC Larry Harger was installed as Principal Sojourner by M.E.C. Donald Beck. February 2008 VEC Robert Pratt, District Deputy, made his official visit, and had an instructional session. Memorials were read for EC Don Quiet and Neil Matsamoto, Past High Priest. So far no one has claimed Neil’s body. March 2008 Secretary James O’Rourke announced the membership is down to 44 members, 17 of whom live out of town. April 2008 Chapter is dark due to annual visit to Fall City. Nine companions traveled to Fall City. May 2008 VEC Robert Pratt was succeeded as District Deputy by VEC Harold Hobbs of Triple Tau Chapter. September 2008 Long time secretary, EC James O’Rourke announced his retirement due to health reasons, and will be replaced by Companion Ron Cook. October 2008 MEC Lynn Bailey, Grand High Priest, made his official visit to Issaquah. MEC Bailey had EC James O’Rourke brought to the altar and commended him for a job well done in his years as secretary, and the chapter presented him with Public Grand Honors. A motion approved to have a dual installation with Fall City at Issaquah No. 39. November 2008 MEC Lynn Bailey, Grand High Priest, installed the following companions in their respective offices. Gene Gannon High Priest, (second time), MEC Donald Beck King, VEC Robert Pratt Scribe, VEC John Livie Treasurer, Ron Cook Secretary, Jonathan Fisher Captain of Host, Larry Harger Principal Sojourner, EC James O. Wood Chaplain, VEC Allan Ausman Royal Arch Captain, VEC Dorn Francis Master of 3rd Veil, EC Richard Meredith Master of 2nd Veil, EC Shaun Yabandeh Master of 1st Veil, Duane Anderson Sentinel. December 9, 2008 A memorial was held at Issaquah Chapter for EC James O’Rourke, long time companion and secretary, who passed away December 5, 2008.

Members of Issaquah No. 39 who have been recognized for outstanding service to Masonry:

Grand High Priests: Board of General Purposes: Donald J. Beck 2004-2005 Gene Miles 1992 – 1993 Deputy Grand High Priests Dist. #15 Allan L. Ausman 2006 – 2009 John S. Livie 2004 – 2006 Donald J. Beck 2007 - 2008 Robert J. Pratt 2006 – 2008 Heartbeat Box: Donald J. Beck 2002 – 2003 Earl V. Buckner 1990 – 1991 Grand King: Past Grands Degree Team: Donald J. Beck 2001 – 2002 Gene Miles 1990 – 1991 Grand Scribe: Grand Chapter Liason to MRC: Donald J. Beck 2000 – 2001 Gene Miles 1994 – 1995 Grand Lecturer: Obituaries (Sessions Comm): James O. Wood 1995 – 1996 James O. Wood 1995 – 1996 Grand Orator: RAMCHF Special Gifts Fund: James O. Wood 1988 – 1989 Doran R. Francis 2006 – 2007 Doran R. Francis 1996 – 1997 Education and Training: Grand Historian: John S. Livie 2006 – 2007 Gene Miles 1992 – 1993 Redistricting: Robert J. Pratt 2005 – 2006 Donald J. Beck 2008 - 2009 RAM 2000: Neil M. Matsumoto 1989 – 1992

158 FRIENDSHIP #40 A little over seven years having elapsed since the last petition for Dispensation being received by the Grand Chapter, Fred Janek reports that on September 9, 1920, he received a petition from a number of Royal Arch Masons of Seattle (located at what is known as Fremont Station). The petition having been recommended by Seattle Chapter No. 3, the new chapter having done most excellent work, as their records show, he took great pleasure in recommending that a Charter be granted on May 2, 1921. Charter members were 24. Accordingly, on June 23, assisted by a number of companions from Seattle and Tacoma, the Grand High Priest John Arntson constituted Friendship Chapter No. 40 at Seattle and installed its officers. First High Priest was M. N. Cristner. During the first year they exalted 103 and affiliated 9, making their total members 136. Their membership went upward during the 1920's and down during the 1930's. In the 1940's it started to rise again and reached an all-time high of 307 in 1952. In 1965 they had 237 members.

OKANOGAN VALLEY #41 On September 21, 1920, the Grand High Priest Fred Janek received a petition from 15 Royal Arch Masons of Okanogan, asking for a Dispensation to form Okanogan Chapter U.D. in the city of Okanogan, the petition having been recommended by Wenatchee Chapter No. 22. The Grand Chapter at its 37th Annual Convocation (May 2, 1921) granted the Charter. Not being able to visit Okanogan, the Grand High Priest John Arntson appointed Most Excellent Companion Jacob Miller, Past Grand High Priest, his Special Deputy to constitute the new Chapter as No. 41, and in due time received his report to the effect that on November 25, 1921, with the assistance of Most Excellent Companion Charles Smyth and a number of Companions from Wenatchee, he constituted the said Chapter and installed its officers. The membership increased rapidly and reached a high of 155 in 1927, then dropped to a low of 35 in 1943. The chapter was moved from Okanogan to Omak on April 14, 1944. Membership increased to a high of 89 in 1953. In 1965 High Priest Ronald E. Smith reported 55 members. Okanogan Chapter No. 41 was chartered in 1921 at Okanogan, Washington. In 1944 the chapter was moved to Omak and the name was changed to Okanogan Valley Chapter No. 41. The Chapter prospered and was very active until the late 1950's to 1960's, then it became dormant and was in danger of having the charter lifted. In 1968 four new members were initiated and we encouraged three others to reinstate. Waldo Glover was installed as High Priest and served in that station for two terms while the chapter was getting on its feet. Then the other new members took their turns at promoting Royal Arch Masonry. One of the charter members (Excellent Companion Emmit Aston) was a great help in reforming the chapter. The years 1968 through 1971 were a struggle to keep the Chapter operating. Then we started to interest other Masons in Royal Arch Masonry and gained some new members. We have now initiated 26 new members and are having about 20 to 25 percent in membership out to our meetings. In spite of the grim reaper and a few demits, we have gained a little over 10 percent in membership. Since 1984 Okanogan Valley Chapter #41 has had the same ups and downs that many of the other chapters have experienced. Being located in an orchard community, few meetings were held during the summer and autumn during the 80s and 90s. Membership has varied from a low of 30 to 61 with an award for a 12% gain by MEC Charles D. Kilbury in 1996.For many years MEC Robert E. Truesdale made the trip from Dayton to install the chapter officers which always resulted in a most enjoyable evening for all present.. Each year we were honored to have the Grand High Priests come for their Official Visits . Usually they were accompanied by other Grand Officers which also resulted in memorable visits. Okanogan Valley #41 sponsored a youth soccer team for many years in the 1990s. Also a Mitten Tree and hand knitted caps at Christmas time for needy school children. A snow cone machine was purchased in 1998 which was used for several years to raise money for charity. Over the years there have been several 50 year pins and certificates presented to our Companions. March 21, 2000 was International Night with our Canadian Companions who came from far and wide for MEC Jerry R. Kunkle’s Official Visit. That night 20 of the visitors received the Past Master Degree. Another night 12 Canadians received the degree and at other times there have been smaller groups. They are always very appreciative and it adds an extra measure to the evenings friendship and companionship. The Chapter has been privileged to have had several Companions who served as Deputies of the Grand High Priest: VEC Theodore Hampton, VEC Clarence Nash, VEC John Stover, VEC Clarence Weitman, VEC Donald MacKenzie, VEC Jay F. Thompson, MEC Herbert N. Weaver and MEC Frederick B. Noyes. REC James R. Harrison served as Grand Orator and Grand King 1999-2000. MEC Herbert N. Weaver served as Grand High Priest 2009-2010 and at the present time MEC Frederick B. Noyes is serving as Grand High Priest 2011-2012.

159 ENUMCLAW #42 August 15, 1921, Grand High Priest John Arntson issued a Dispensation to a constitutional number of Companions at Enumclaw, Washington, to form a Chapter at that place to be known as Enumclaw Chapter U.D, the same having been recommended by Carnation Chapter No. 29. Charter was granted May 16, 1922, with 17 members. The Grand High Priest William Nicholson, being unable to attend, commissioned Excellent Companion William P. Williams to constitute Enumclaw Chapter No. 42 and install the High Priest H. L. Handley and other officers, which he reported as having been done on June 10, 1922. The membership did not increase very fast, reaching 38 in 1931, then dropping to 34 in 1934, where it remained for 8 years, then gradually starting to climb and reaching the all-time high of 116 in 1962. In 1965 they had a membership of 114.

TOPPENISH #43 On August 31, 1921, the Grand High Priest John Arnston issued a Dispensation to 26 companions at Toppenish, Washington, to form a Chapter at that place to be known as Toppenish Chapter U.D., the same having been recommended by Sunny-side Chapter No. 35. The Charter was issued May 16, 1922. Grand High Priest William Nicholson appointed Right Excellent Companion Carey Haynes, Deputy Grand High Priest, his Special Deputy to constitute Toppenish Chapter No. 43, and installed its officers and received a report from him that the chapter was constituted on October 27, 1922. The membership climbed to a high of 64 in 1926, then started down and reached a low of 31 in 1937-38. Permission having been obtained at the 55th Annual Convocation, the Secretary of Toppenish Chapter wrote that they had sold their paraphernalia, paid their bills, and were desirous of closing up their chapter. On September 14, 1939, the Grand High Priest Stanley Pickneel went to Toppenish, found all indebtedness paid up, checked over their records, had demits issued to members in good standing, took over the records, the seal, and the rituals and the charter, and on that date Toppenish Chapter No. 43 ceased to f unction.

CENTRALIA #44 On November 18, 1921, Most Excellent Companion John M. Arnston, Grand High Priest of Royal Arch Masons in Washington, granted a Dispensation to several companions in the Centralia area to work as Royal Arch Masons. Companion John A. Eaton became our first High Priest. Our other founding members were: George Yockim, Robert E dm ission, Benjamin Johnson, Merrill Benidict, Thomas Lashbrook, H. D. Miller, Walter A. Litch, Hubert E. Grimm, Fred W. Thomas, J. P. Manggaard, Joseph Rodek, Harvey McCormick, Charles Davis, Frank A. Graham, and G. L. Hoodless. These men sowed the seeds of Royal Arch Masonry and carefully cultivated them. As a result of their labors of love, we enjoy today, over sixty years later, a strong and flourishing Chapter. Perhaps the most interesting period in our chapter's history are the ten years from 1944 to 1954. The Chapter not only exalted more companions during this time than any ten-year period before or since, but also began conferring the Mark Master Degree in an actual stone quarry at nearby Tenino. °° On March 2, 1950, it was moved and seconded that Centralia Chapter No. 44 hold a special convocation in a quarry at Tenino. Very Excellent Companion Charles E. Bougner was named to promote the plan. This convocation was held on August 5 with Excellent Companion Francis J. Paulus, High Priest, presiding. Royal Arch Masons from throughout Washington and Oregon were present to receive 60 Brothers as Mark Masters. Such meetings were held each year in August until 1953. The Grand Chapter was always well represented as were the other Grand Officers of the Council and Commandery. The degree work was always well performed and most impressive. After laboring in the quarries the Companions would meet with family and friends at Tenino Park to enjoy a well-prepared picnic. Throughout this time the officers and members of Sunset Chapter No. 23 greatly assisted in the work and the DeMolay boys from Centralia also assisted by helping to clean up the quarry and make it presentable for Good work, True work, Square work. In 1954 a committee was appointed to attempt to purchase the quarry but was unable to do so. The quarry became unavailable for use. Thus ended the outdoor Mark Master degrees for which Centralia was so justly proud. Royal Arch Masonry, however, has continued and flourished. Centralia continues to be a stronghold of Royal Arch Masonry and shall carry on for many, many years to come.

160 CENTRALIA #44 - 2012 Update Received by the Editor:

Since I joined in 2009, I am new to this concordant body, and much of the recent written information from both chapters is lost or not written down. I will keep looking. I read the entry in the 1983 Keystone of the history of our Chapter in Centralia. It’s neat to read how the membership then believed that Centralia Chapter #44 was a “Strong and flourishing Chapter.” It’s also interesting to read how recently the membership thought, “Centralia continues to be a stronghold of Royal Arch Masonry and shall carry on for many, many years to come.” But then the 1990’s occurred. Clayton La Vigne, Secretary, Centralia Chapter #44

The Last Several Past High Priests of Centralia Chapter #44

1972 Richard E. Nyholm 1988 Varden F. “Bud” Boergadine 2002 Dick Nyholm 1973-1977 (Not Known) 1989 Joseph B. Daly 2003 Bud Boergadine 1978 Varden F. “Bud” Boergadine 1990 Joseph B. Daly 2004 Dick Nyholm 1979 Grant Hodge 1991 Richard E. Nyholm 2005 Dick Nyholm 1980 William Heckbert 1992 Richard E. Nyholm 2006 Manley Michler 1981 Grant Hodge 1993 Jack A. Norton 2007 Manley Michler 1982 and 1983: Christ Gabelman 1994 Jack A. Norton 2008 Manley Michler 1983 Christ Gabelman 1995-1997 (Not Known) 2009 Richard E. Nyholm 1984 Bernard Lipinski 1998 Dick Nyholm 2010 Brian Johnson 1985 Bernard Lipinski 1999 Dick Nyholm 2011 Tony Ward 1986Bernard Lipinski 2000 Dick Nyholm 2012 Ken Keesler 1987 James Simon 2001 Dick Nyholm

MEC Varden Fenemore “Bud” Boergadine was also the Most Excellent High Priest of Washington 1984-1985. MEC Boergadine passed on in December 2008. EC Jim Simon passed in June of 2010, and Dick Nyholm Passed in April of 2011. These 3 were keeping the York Rite going in Centralia as best as possible.

Sunset Chapter #23 (Chehalis) merged with Centralia Chapter #44 in 2005. From what I was told, the 2 chapters were kept going by active members of both chapters joining together to hold meetings in the 2 buildings for many years before this merger. Unfortunately, the merger didn’t help, as many Sunset members quit after the merger. From 2002 to the merger in 2005, Harry Estep, Sr. was Sunset #23’s high priest. In fact, there’s a pattern, as the actual Symbolic lodge, Centralia #63, was on the verge of collapse 6 to 7 years ago. Neighboring Lodge, Chehalis #28, is still struggling today.

Information from the 2001 By-Laws of Sunset Chapter #23. The Chapter met on the first Friday of even numbered months at 8:00 in Chehalis’s Masonic building, and met on the odd months of May and November at 7:30 PM at Robert Morris lodge in Silver Creek. From the appearance of the Centralia Chapter #44’s Tyler’s register, that chapter met on the 1st Fridays of the odd numbered months. Sunset’s dues were $25, while Centralia’s was $15, which was bumped to $20 last year.

Unfortunately, Centralia’s DeMolay Chapter, mentioned in the older Keystone has dissolved.

In January of 2009, Centralia Chapter #44 conferred the MM, PM and MEM degrees on 5 new members, who were exalted in May of that year. 3 more joined by plural membership. 1 of the 5 new members served as High Priest in 2010 (Brian Johnson), and one of the plural members in 2011 (Tony Ward). Another of the 5 is the Current High Priest in 2012 (Ken Keesler). I am also one of the 5. In October 2011, the Chapter exalted 4 more members, and brought back an old Past High Priest from Sunset Chapter through reinstatement. With this membership, in addition to a couple of active members from before the merger, and a couple of York Rite Masons from other chapters in the area, the Chapter is ready to proceed forward to viability. There is some interest from other Masons in the area of joining, so there is a great possibility of more degree work in 2012.

161 A Chart of Centralia Chapter #44 Convocation Attendance

Date Members/Visitors Date Members/Visitors Date Members/Visitors

Jan-98 3 2 Mar-10 7 6 Sep-03 2 4 Jan-99 5 3 Mar-11 5 1 Sep-04 1 3 Jan-00 4 4 Apr-98 9 4 Sep-05 3 5 Jan-01 3 3 Apr-99 6 3 Sep-07 4 7 Jan-02 3 4 Apr-00 3 2 Sep-08 4 6 Jan-03 3 11 Apr-01 3 6 Sep-09 4 5 Jan-05 3 9 Apr-03 3 27 Oct-98 5 2 Jan-06 5 2 Apr-04 5 1 Oct-99 5 4 Jan-07 6 3 Apr-11 5 0 Oct-00 3 4 Jan-09 4 9 May-98 4 6 Oct-01 3 7 Jan-11 4 9 May-99 4 2 Oct-11 8 3 Feb-98 5 9 May-00 5 3 Nov-97 4 9 Feb-99 6 5 May-01 3 3 Nov-98 4 3 Feb-00 5 10 *May-01 4 3 Nov-99 4 4 Feb-01 4 5 May-05 3 11 Nov-00 4 2 Feb-04 3 14 May-06 7 7 Nov-01 5 4 Feb-09 3 2 May-09 5 1 Nov-02 3 4 Feb-11 8 1 May-10 9 5 Nov-03 2 3 Mar-98 7 7 Jun-98 4 2 Nov-04 1 7 Mar-99 6 6 Jun-99 2 4 Nov-05 6 1 Mar-00 5 3 Jun-00 4 1 Nov-08 5 4 Mar-01 4 3 Jun-01 3 3 Nov-09 5 5 Mar-02 4 3 Jun-05 3 5 Dec-97 5 1 Mar-03 3 5 Jun-11 4 2 Dec-98 4 22 Mar-04 2 5 Sep-98 5 10 Dec-99 4 4 Mar-05 3 7 Sep-99 4 8 Dec-00 4 4 Mar-06 3 4 Sep-00 5 8 Dec-01 4 5 Mar-07 5 2 Sep-01 5 12 Mar-08 3 3 Sep-02 3 8

162 WEST SEATTLE #45 Under the sponsorship of Oriental Chapter No. 19, several Companions banded together and made it known that a Royal Arch Chapter was needed in West Seattle. On March 6, 1922, a Dispensation was issued to constitute West Seattle Chapter by the direction of Most Excellent Companion John M. Arntson at the Grand Convocation of the Grand Chapter and West Seattle was granted its Charter dated May 16, 1922, in the city of Aberdeen, Washington. Its members numbered 41. Companion John T. Forsyth was the first High Priest; James R. Dougan, King; Edward J. Huchins, Scribe; John G. Hehrbas, Treasurer; and Samuel A. Smart; Secretary; and the Chapter was convened on the first Tuesday of the month. Excellent Companion Forsyth is still remembered to this day as all the equipment used in the Order of High Priesthood was collected, made, and presented to Grand Chapter by him. West Seattle is one of the chapters that confers the Most Excellent Master degree and the degree of the Royal Arch using the old General Grand Chapter original journey and form. West Seattle Chapter has had many appointed Grand Officers, but only one Grand High Priest. Most Excellent Com- panion Edward R. Caddy, after serving many years in Grand Chapter in various offices, was elected Grand High Priest for the year 1960-61 and still is serving Grand Chapter at this time as Grand Secretary. He is going into his 30th year as Chapter Secretary of West Seattle Chapter. West Seattle Chapter has many outstanding companions. One in particular is Excellent Companion Charles Hakes, who was the traffic control officer for many years at Fourth and Pine Streets. In those days the stop and go sign was operated by hand and Excellent Companion Hakes was a strict taskmaster. Many motorists and pedestrians were scolded by Officer Hakes for not obeying his will and pleasure. But at Christmas time he would be standing in the middle of the street among many Christmas packages piled high as a token of love and respect the people of Seattle had for Officer Hakes. He was very well loved and respected and was a landmark for many years. Another dedicated and faithful companion was Excellent Companion Roy White, who played the organ and piano for over 40 years in the chapter. He was very prompt and many enjoyable programs were put on by Companion White and the children for his school and church. He was the local undertaker and affectionately referred to as "Digger O'Dell," taken from a radio program beamed on the air in those early years. He composed and trained several companions and many times the Royal Arch Etude was presented during the degree. The chorus was well trained and the voices blended harmoniously. Many companions in the Seattle area can remember the beautiful voice and musical renditions of Excellent Companion Floyd Judd, particularly his most beautiful rendition of the Evening Prayer at the close of the chapter. Also remembered is his leading the singing at the Christmas parties and other occasions. Excellent Companion Judd would sing any time or most any place just of the asking and thousands of companions and their ladies and friends have heard his solemn and pleasing voice. Excellent Companion Judd is still very active in West Seattle and still sings beautifully. One specialty that always pleases all companions is when he sings a few lines of "Open The Gate Of The Temple" before the conferring of the Most Excellent Master degree. He has sung at the demise of many West Seattle companions and is very much loved and respected by all companions. Another dedicated and much respected companion is Excellent Companion Robert Talbot, who always portrays the High Priest in the dedication of the temple and his voice and mannerisms are very close to the original High Priest who originally dedicated that temple. His ability as an actor is unequaled. One Very Excellent Companion who has for many years dedicated his time and talent to Royal Arch Masonry is Very Excellent Companion George A. Perkins, who during his year as High Priest caused to be built and dedicated the West Seattle kitchen at the Royal Arch Park. West Seattle Chapter has been and still is one of the chapters that supports the Royal Arch Park completely. He has spent many hours and dollars in and for the park and can always be called upon at any time to perform a service for the park. His efforts are timeless and his contributions to the park unequaled. There are very few companions like Very Excellent Companion Perkins who give their all for the Royal Arch Park. He still handles the lights for the Most Excellent Master degree conferral and performs as Sentinel, a position he has held for many years. He is always present at Grand Chapter, performing many useful duties and favors of the Grand High Priest for many years back. West Seattle Chapter is blessed with many living Past High Priests and a large number are always present at the meetings. It is a rare occasion when less than 25 Past High Priests are not present, this number out of a possible 38, a record not equaled in many chapters. At the compilation of this short history, the membership now totals 280. It is the largest chapter in this Grand Jurisdiction at this time. When Robert Burns Chapter No. 48 surrendered its Charter, West Seattle Chapter was very happy to welcome them into its ranks. Some 40 companions affiliated with West Seattle Chapter and have been a great asset to it. West Seattle Chapter was honored by being asked to sponsor Triple Tau Chapter No. 66, which is a very healthy chapter composed of many dedicated and loyal Arch Masons. It is considered one of the most outstanding chapters in this Grand Jurisdiction.

163 No history would be complete without a great deal of credit and praise given to the West Seattle Widows. No Chapter has the complete support, dedication, and loyalty of the ladies as does West Seattle Chapter. They have brought the chapter out of debt several times with their generous contributions and unexcelled potluck dinners, with an average of over 90 at each meeting. The Chapter is most fortunate to have such a fine group of ladies and every companion is cognizant and wholly appreciative of the West Seattle Royal Widows. Words cannot express the appreciation, gratitude, and love this chapter has for its ladies. The success of the chapter depends on them greatly. Once a year West Seattle Chapter has a pancake breakfast at the Royal Arch Park and draws a very large crowd, many times over 300. After breakfast the folks stay at the park, participating in games of baseball, horseshoes, races, and dart throwing. It is always a great day for young and old. The Royal Arch Association generally holds its picnic on the same day, which adds to the festivities and happiness of the day. Alki Lodge No. 152, West Seattle Lodge No. 287, and White Center Lodge No. 300 fully support West Seattle and many of their members are companions. A number of Past Masters have been High Priests. And we close with, "May He who watches over all those who put their trust in Him keep and preserve this Chapter to His own glory."

Members of West Seattle #45 who have been recognized for outstanding service to Masonry:

Past District Deputies, District 15: Frank R. Davidson 1988 – 1990 Charles E. O’Donovan 1990 – 1992 Otto R. Lawrence 1992 – 1994 Alvin A. Taylor 1997 – 1998 Robert W. Shoemaker 1998 – 2000 Grand Royal Arch Captain: Otto R. Lawrence 1991 – 1992 Grand Master of the 3rd Veil: Robert W. Shoemaker 2005 - 2007 Grand Orator: Harold N. Waymire 1991 – 1992 RAM 2000: Otto R. Lawrence (Chairman) 1987 – 1988 Otto R. Lawrence 1989 – 1993 Board of General Purposes: Otto R. Lawrence 1995 – 1996 Heartbeat Box: O. R. Tex Arnold 1990 – 1991 Finance: Harold L. Grindle 1991 – 1992 Eugene A. Danielson 1992 – 1993 Dissolution of Chapters: Charles E. O’Donovan 1992 – 1993 Grand Chapter Advancement: Harold N. Waymire 1994 – 1995 Sessions (Distinguished Visitors: Eugene A. Danielson 1995 – 1996 Credentials: Steven K. Gerstner 1996 – 1997

164 ROBERT B. PALMER #46 A Dispensation was granted by Grand High Priest John M. Arntson on March 11, 1922, to Auburn Chapter U.D. at the request of 38 companions. The majority of these companions, led by Past High Priest Robert B. Palmer, demitted from Carnation Chapter No. 29 at Kent. The charter for Auburn Chapter No. 46 was delivered and officers installed on June 9, 1922. During the interim between the Dispensation and the Charter being received, 10 Companions were exalted and four received by affiliation; however, two of the latter were not included on the Charter roster. The last Charter member passed away in 1977. Abstracts from early minutes record a close relationship between Carnation No. 29, Issaquah No. 39, Enumclaw No. 42, and Auburn No. 46 which still exists today. Nearly all of the installations were jointly held among these Chapters during those earlier years. The sentinel register seldom failed to include Companions from these three Chapters. Auburn Chapter has been honored by having had three Grand High Priests from its membership; namely, Robert B. Palmer, 1941; Joseph A. Dailey, 1946; and Cecil M. Ward, 1955. Very Excellent Companions Allan M. Gray, 1963-65; George M. McKulla, 197173; and Richard L. Boney, 1978-80 have served District No. 5 as Deputies to the Grand High Priest. Most Excellent Companion Palmer has served his chapter as secretary from its institution until his death in 1955. Auburn Chapter petitioned Grand Chapter to change its name to honor Most Excellent Companion Palmer, and this request was granted at Wenatchee in 1956. The history of the Chapter would be incomplete without mentioning Excellent Companion Bert Miller, whose single- handed efforts resulted in a renaissance of Royal Arch Masonry from the time he was exalted in 1951 until he was called by the Supreme Architect in 1973. Public installation of officers was inaugurated in 1958 and continues to this day. The only York Rite Convention ever held in Auburn was in 1961. Royal Arch robes were purchased in 1957. During this period Excellent Companion Bert arranged for and refurbished all the necessary equipment to confer the Royal Arch Degree. He served the Grand Chapter as Grand Royal Arch Captain during 1962-63.

LaCROSSE #47 At the Thirty-ninth Annual Convocation, a charter was issued to LaCrosse Chapter U.D., at LaCrosse, Whitman County. Charter members were 28 and the first High Priest was Frank Jones. The Grand High Priest Carey Haynes, being unable to constitute the Chapter during the month of November, as this was the most convenient for the companions at LaCrosse Chapter, appointed Excellent Companion W. P. Wiliams to act as his Special Deputy and to constitute the Chapter, which he reported as having done on November 13. The membership did not grow very much after constitution—the high of 44 being reached in 1929. After that it went down to 18 in 1937, where it remained until 1941. On December 5, 1941, the Grand High Priest Robert B. Palmer received a letter from F. R. Jones, Secretary of LaCrosse Chapter, stating the Chapter was not holding any meetings and that the companions thought they should give up their Charter. The Grand High Priest wrote and informed them of the procedure. On April 1, 1942, they did surrender their charter. The Charter and all of the other property of that chapter was turned over to the Grand Secretary.

ROBERT BURNS #48 All the requirements of our code having been complied with, a Dispensation was granted on June 10, 1922, to 11 companions of Royal Arch Masonry at Portage, King County, to open and hold a regular Chapter there to be known as Robert Burns Chapter, with P. Monroe Smock as High Priest. The date of the Charter was May 8, 1923. The Grand High Priest Carey S. Haynes appointed Excellent Companion Robert E. Sullivan as his Special Deputy to constitute Robert Burns Chapter No. 48, which he reported as having done on June 21, 1923. On April 4, 1927, the Chapter requested to change their place of meeting from Portage to Burton. The Grand Chapter recommended approval of this request. The number of members increased steadily to 74 in 1932, then declined during the 30's until mid 40's, at which time it reversed and climbed to an all-time high of 75 in the years 1954-55. In 1981, Charter was surrendered and they affiliated with West Seattle No. 45.

165 PUYALLUP #49 The necessary requirements having been complied with, a Dispensation was granted on February 6, 1923, to 17 companion Royal Arch Masons at Puyallup, Pierce County, to open and hold a regular Chapter there and to be known as Puyallup Chapter U.D., with William Forbes as High Priest. Their membership reached a high of 87 in 1930, then slowly went down to 30 in 1943. During the 60th Annual Convocation, Most Excellent Companion Ralph Mulvane regretfully reported than in the latter part of March he took up the Charter of Puyallup Chapter No. 49 after nearly an entire year was spent in fruitless effort to awaken within its members some sign of life which could be fanned into flame. Their High Priest was a railroad man and seldom in Puyallup on the meeting night of his Chapter. Little if any attempt was made to bring new blood into the Chapter, and no rent had been paid since 1937. On March 22 the High Priest wrote to the Grand High Priest, saying the Chapter had voted to surrender its Charter. He was informed that the action was illegal but that he would take up the Charter. The robes and other properties of the Chapter were given into the temporary custody of the Blue Lodge pending our choice of a Grand Secretary. This was the second time that Puyallup had lost its Charter.

LEWIS #50 After having complied with all the necessary requirements, a Dispensation was granted on February 7, 1923, to twenty companions of Royal Arch Masonry at Camp Lewis, Pierce County, to open and hold a regular Chapter to be known as Lewis County U.D., with George Gately as High Priest. The membership of the Chapter grew steadily until 1932, when it reached 92, after which it dropped to 52 in 1937. During the 54th Annual Convocation, Most Excellent Companion William Ferguson stated that Lewis Chapter No. 50 had surrendered its charter and was now in the process of returning it and all its property to the Grand Chapter. He regretted the action of the companions at Lewis Chapter very much, but under the conditions it was possibly for the best interests of Royal Arch Masonry as there were only five Companions who lived within the jurisdiction of that Chapter.

ELMONT #51 In response to a petition signed by 31 Companions residing at Montesano and Elma in Grays Harbor County to form a Chapter of Companions resided in the two towns, they chose as a name the combination of both towns and the new Chapter was, and is, known as Elmont Chapter. Further, it having been recommended by West Shore Chapter No. 13, the Grand High Priest Carry S. Haynes forwarded in August the Dispensation requested. Considering the splendid progress made by this new Chapter, he later recommended that a Charter be granted during the next Annual Convocation. This was done during the convocation that was held in Bremerton on May 5 and 6, 1924. The First High Priest was H. B. Marcy. Elmont Chapter No. 51 was duly constituted on May 24, 1924, by the Grand High Priest Samuel S. Endslow assisted by Right Excellent Companion Charles H. Steffena and William T. Drips, along with several other companions, including representatives from Chapters No. 13, 23, 7, 44, 28, 50, and 49. The membership in this new Chapter climbed rapidly after constitution and reached the all-time high of 123 in 1931, then reversed and dropped to 54 in 1944. After that it rose gradually to and fluctuated in the 90's for many years.

166 RAINIER #52 As with all Masonic chapters, Rainier Chapter No. 52, Royal Arch Masonry, has had many ups and downs in its short 56- year history. Through it all, it has been blessed with many strong leaders and a very supportive membership. This enthusiasm and determination has kept the Chapter rolling. It would be impossible to name and outline all the Chapter's illustrious leaders and happenings so, using the chapter minutes available, we will share a few. Reading between the lines, we come to know some of the personalities and the problems of the day and the history of the Chapter comes alive. Three Companions of Seattle Chapter No. 3 had long considered the necessity of forming an additional Royal Arch Chapter in Seattle. These three, police officers William H. Searing, E. C. Haley, and John Sickels, worked diligently and secured a dispensation from Grand High Priest Charles H. Steffen on December 22, 1925. Companion Searing called a meeting of Mason and Royal Arch Masons on December 29, 1925, and acted as chairman of that meeting. Companion Twitchell moved and Companion Peterson seconded the motion that this Chapter when organized should be known as "Rainier" and should meet at 306 - 24th Avenue South. Following this the first election was held with the following officers: William H. Searing, High Priest; T. A. Twichell, King; T. M. Dervin, Scribe; D. K. Sickels, Treasurer; and J. M. Rumi, Secretary. Dues were set at $5 per annum with a $10 charge for each of the four degrees. February 3, 1926, is a date all Rainier companions should remember, for on that date the first convocation was held, and what a meeting it was. The Grand Secretary read the Dispensation for the new Chapter; R. H. Sullivan, the Grand Captain of the Host, presented the three principal officers to the Most Excellent Grand High Priest Charles H. Steffen, who gave the charge to the assembled companions. He was assisted by John R. Forsyth, Grand Master of the Grand Council; Walter Meiers, Grand Master of Masons of Washington; four members of the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons, and six High Priests from neighboring chapters. It must be noted that High Priest M. S. Allison of Seattle No. 3 was most interested in this event; his chapter was most supportive and active in the formation of the new Chapter. Many members of this Chapter demitted to the new Rainier Chapter. Following this opening there was a recess. The Chapter was then opened in due form by the new High Priest William S. Searing. He promptly swore into office the following: Charles F. McMinnimee as Principal Sojourner; Frank A. Ayers, Royal Arch Captain; Leroy S. Bowen, Chaplain: Thomas A. Ghent, Organist; Fred E. Cox, Master of the Third Veil; Frank P. Papenspeck, Master of the Second Veil; Andre J. Shirley, Master of the First Veil; and H. C. Wood, Sentinel. Previously R. A. Twichell had been elected King; T. M. Dervin became the Scribe; D. K. Sickets agreed to serve as Treasurer; and J. M. Rumi became the first Secretary. Lest there be any doubt that the fathers of this Chapter were not hardworking, read on. Twenty-nine petitions were read and referred to committees at this meeting. Just imagine, more petitions were presented than there were members. Although various occupations were represented in the petitions, the early and permanent trend of Rainier could be seen at this time. Eleven of those first petitions were from "Seattle's Finest"; could it be because the first High Priest fits° happened to be the Police Chief? Who was this man we might call the "Father of Our Chapter?" William Searing was born in Rose Point, Pennsylvania, in 1877, reaching Seattle in 1898. Two years later he joined the Seattle Police Department, made rapid promotions, and reached the grade of captain in 1911. Mayor Hugh M. Caldwell, in trying to clean up the prostitution and graft in the city, appointed Companion Searing to be police chief in 1920. Both men were of high moral character and got along well. Eventually Caldwell lost reelection and the new mayor was more interested in a wide-open city. "Bill" was demoted to captain, his permanent rank, and sent to the suburbs. Soon Seattle had enough of crime and elected the famous Mayor Bertha Landes to office. Her first act was to return William Searing to the office of police chief. "Bertha," to the newspapers of the time, was too outspoken and lacked the refinements to be a politician; she was voted out of office. With her went "Bill" to the post of captain, in which position he retired after serving 37 years in the department. In addition to this position as High Priest of Rainier Chapter, William served as Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Washington, Past Prior of York Cross of Honor, and Master of Rainier Lodge. He was head usher at the First Methodist Church and President of the King County Humane Society. He was survived by his loving wife Mildred and two daughters. Rainier Chapter went to work to build its membership. On February 17, hardly two weeks after installation, the chapter was called to special convocation for the purpose of initiating twelve new members. Also at this session, nine original and three affiliate petitions were read. In the stated convocation of March 3, 1926, it was moved and passed that regular business, petitions, and degree work be carried on at stated convocations, but that the second Saturday of each month be set aside exclusively for Degrees. On this night Companion Joe Moyer presented to the chapter a series of Keystones: one of marble, one lighted, and one of wood for degree work. Many questions are now asked as to the location of these tools. It was also decided that the officers had not been duly installed; therefore, May 28 was set aside for this purpose.

167 May 28, 1926, was a real celebration. Grand High Priest Dripps presided, with a surprise dinner served by the ladies and a glorious dance afterward. The Grand High Priest led many of the final merrymakers to breakfast as the sun rose in the eastern sky. Not content with its own work, Rainier Companions travelled en masse by bus to Fall City on June 19, 1926, to aid in the installation of a Chapter there. It was a wonderful day and the hosts put on a special beef barbecue picnic between the morning and afternoon sessions. The ladies of a local church served a delicious dinner which was followed by a dance. Most Excellent Companion Dripps announced that he would not approve any further Dispensations—as "I cannot stand so many wonderful feasts and parties." A hearty laugh was enjoyed by all. A group of companions from Anacortes presented a petition for a Chapter in that city. Seattle No. 3 and Rainier installed that Chapter in due time. Quite a tradition was started in which Rainier installed the officers of Anacortes Chapter for over 30 years. The January 19, 1926, minutes read as follows: "One year has passed in the travels of Rainier Chapter No. 52. We have balloted on petitions at every stated meeting and held degree work at least twice a month since our installation. Tonight five petitions were balloted on; this is the smallest number we have voted on at any meeting. Records indicate that Rainier Chapter had initiated some 173 members in that 12-month period. This leads to an interesting notation in the minutes for February 15, 1927. "The first audit report shows that all debits, including those for paraphernalia, uniforms, aprons, robes, and rent, are paid for. The bank account shows a balance of $405.48." At this time a series of comments in the minutes starts that will run for a year and a half in regard to the search for, and acquisition of, a lantern to aid in the degree work. More words in discussion, more ink in the minutes, were devoted to the problem than any other in the period. In the meantime the chapter went merrily along initiating, performing degree work, and visiting other chapters. The June 6, 1927, meeting is noteworthy for two reason. First, it was announced that Grand High Priest James McCormack granted Dispensation to the chapters to perform degree work on as many as five candidates at one time. This news was received with a high sigh of relief by one and all. As a result, it just happened that five candidates were in waiting outside and they were given the Royal Arch Degree. No mention of the companion who leaked the information and alerted the five to be in attendance is made. Also, this is the first meeting at which no new petitions were read. The December 21, 1927, stated convocation was a sad one, indeed, for on that night a letter of appreciation from the widow of Companion John Winning Wilson was read. He was the first companion of Rainier Chapter to pass on to the Celestial Chapter. A proper and heartfelt memorial service was held. On this night the motion calling for Rainier to join the Masonic Service Bureau was finally passed after much discussion. Now, we come to two periods of near disaster for the history of Rainier Chapter. The first was the "Great Depression" from 1929 to 1939. The minutes are filled with sad news. There are repeated requests for demits and delinquent notices for the unfortunate Companions who just could not keep up due to more pressing financial needs at home. The chapter made every attempt to assist and to carry these unfortunate ones, but the financial burden was too great. On February 20, 1929, a motion was passed that in effect rewarded each companion with a leather apron for bringing in three applications in a calendar year. Also on this date a motion was passed to assist Northern Light Chapter in its formation. Companion Wilfred Bowen presented three gavels to the Chapter that he had made from wood from the U.S. Oregon. It was his intent that these be used permanently by the officers in the East. The first telephone committee was formed by this time to encourage Companions to come to Chapter meetings. Despite the very difficult times, worthy and financially able Brothers continued to join at the rate of one per month. At the December 1929 meeting, three Companions received the award aprons for bringing in ten new members between them. On a lighter note, Companion John N. Pantages, vice president of the theatre by that name, presented two tickets to each of the apron winners. He was then fined ten cents for each pair of tickets as it was charged he was advertising his business in Chapter. During this period a wonderful tradition was started by Hilmer Benson who, as a marvelous cook, started serving dinners. He was complimented on his skill many times. Then Hilmer broke his leg and would be laid up for some time. It was noted also that attendance at meetings was falling off. To amend this situation, the Past High Priests started a night in September at which they served dinner. In May 1929 Companion Rufus L. Popwell reported on the Chapter visitation to Zenith with entertainment. He included a letter of deep appreciation from the home for the wonderful dinner, entertainment, and dance. He concluded his remarks by reporting the affair cost the Chapter $9.64. Even though times were hard then, it does not seem possible that over 200 people could be entertained for that amount. The Chapter reached its lowest point of the depression when it was announced on December 21, 1932, that over 50 percent of the members were in arrears. In addition, seven demits were granted to companions who were clear but financially unable to go on. Due to limited finances it was passed that refreshments at the chapter would have to be curtailed.

168 The minutes of January 18, 1933, certainly develop a mystery that is unsolved at this time. Who was Companion Charles A. Tennant? We know that he was born in New Zealand on November 10, 1875; that he migrated to Seattle and joined the Police Department on September 3, 1897. He was a Master Mason of Ark Lodge and became a Royal Arch Mason on April 21, 1926. His maker called him to the Celestial Chapter on January 4, 1933, at which time eight Past High Priests asked for the privilege of being pallbearers. Who was this companion who is only mentioned in the minutes twice, initiation and memorial, yet was so highly regarded by his companions? A milestone was passed on May 18, 1938, when Excellent Companion Thomas Regan presented to the chapter a Masonic Bible, our first, stating that his wish was that this Bible be used for all convocations of the chapter. It was also moved and passed that the meeting nights be moved to the third Wednesday of each month. It was pointed out that the night for our meetings conflicted with Blue Lodge and Eastern Star meetings. Eleven members of this latter body were active members of Rainier Chapter, including the High Priest who was also the new Worthy Patron. Evidentially the move was popular as the ladies started serving dinner on a no-host basis. The ladies formed their own organization and asked to be initiated into the Royal Arch Widows Society. With the start of World War II in Europe the brotherly love and financial conditions of Rainier Chapter take a definite turn for the better. Several years of success during that period and then a second disaster for the chapter. That was Pearl harbor with the resulting great numbers of men entering the service or being called back to military duty. Also, attendance at the meetings dropped even further than expected for a great number of companions went to seven-day work weeks or night shifts in the new defense industries. Few members dropped their dues, but frequently all the members present were required to fill the chairs as officers protem. During the latter part of the war, however, Rainier once again hit its stride in obtaining new members. For example, June 21, 1944, the High Priest Larry E. Thompson announced that 24 candidates would receive the Royal Arch Degree. Most Excellent Companion William H. Searing commented, "This is a record as far as I can remember for this chapter, with all candidates being our own." After that year, on November 16, 1944, a total of 56 candidates received the Most Excellent Master's Degree. It is interesting to note that on April 11, 1947, Excellent Companion Gribble was made chairman of a committee to clean, repair, and augment the robes, regalia, and materials used in the degree work. Several comments were made at the time to the effect, "Well, it's about time." It was found that all the robes were beyond the stage of cleaning and new ones were ordered. Excellent Companion Gribble became known as "Fast Draw Gribble." It seems he was Tyler of Rainier Blue Lodge No. 189. As such, he sought and procured more signed applications than almost any other member of Rainier Chapter. The auditor's report for 1947 made the Internal Revenue Department stop and catch its breath for a non-profit organization. That year $1,052.30 was placed in long-term investments, $1,012.07 was retained in checking, and $1,512.00 was placed in savings. The year 1949 started with Excellent Companion Lloyd Lyons moving that we return to the custom of serving no-host dinners on a potluck basis. It was not long before 200 people were being served by the ladies. On May 18, 1949, John McLeod, the Grand First Principal of British Columbia and Yukon, visited Rainier for the first time. This was to lead to alternative meetings on an annual basis with King Solomon Chapter, which in turn led to the Jimmy Mitchell Convocations. That same year the Korean War intervened, but activities with our Canadian companions and degree work continued unabated. Later in the year it was voted that we would remit the dues of any Companion on active duty with the armed forces. Also in 1949, the dues were raised to $14 per year. This was the first raise in dues since the Chapter was founded. On June 8, 1954, the entire chapter went into Special Convocation at the death of Excellent Companion William Searing. Members of Rainier were joined by other Masonic bodies in performing the ceremonies at the graveside of our dear departed companion and founder. In December 1955 Companion James Williams presented to the chapter a set of The History of Royal Arch Masonry. He stated, "This is my Christmas present while the rest of you exchange gifts." At this time it was announced that the Royal Arch Park was paid off. March 27, 1957, saw the beginning of planning for the visit of King Solomon Chapter and their ladies. This special convocation would be held May 11, 1957. In the meantime we received a special invitation from Most Excellent Companion James Mitchell, as Scribe, for a special visitation of companions to their regular convocation on May 16, 1957. On May 11, 1957, the Canadian and United States flags were deposited in the East to start what was to become a honored and treasured tradition with our Canadian companions, eventually to be known as the "Jimmy Mitchell Convocation." There were numerous guests of honor present, among them: Richard L. Williams, Jr., Grand First Principal; Excellent Companion Carl N. Gadbois 9 Most Illustrious Grand Master of Royal and Select Masters of British Columbia and Yukon; Most Excellent Companion Alan Lane, Grand High Priest of Washington,; and seven of his Grand Officers. In addition

169 there were seven visiting High Priests of King County, 74 Rainier companions, 33 Canadians, who opened chapter with their ritual. Chapter was then called down, the ladies were called in for the Widows Degree as this is not performed in Canada. The ladies were excused to prepare dinner while chapter was closed with hilarity, peace and harmony prevailing. An evening of dancing completed the day's events. November 25, 1957, saw Rainier aiding a new Chapter being installed, Triple Tau. In addition, we donated our old aprons to the new Chapter. Correspondence was received from King Solomon to visit them for the second joint convocation. It was announced that bus transportation and hotel accommodations could be provided for at a price of $16.50 per couple for those who were interested. My, how times have changed with prices now The October 3, 1958, meeting brought about a change in the bylaws to read that meetings would be held on the fourth Monday of the month, except December which will be on the third Monday. This change brought much consternation and comment as it conflict& with other meetings of Masonic bodies. It was noted in the register and minutes that Very Excellent Companion Lero Neweomber, Past High Priest of University, Protemed as Scribe. History is still being written for this esteemed companion who has become an honorary member of Rainier Chapter. April 4, 1959, Rainier put on a special ceremony at its stated convocation. The program was to honor Most Excellent Companion Duke Fife, Grand High Priest of Washington and member of Rainier Chapter. Present were 10 Past Grand High Priests from Washington and one from Alaska. Special honors went to Most Excellent Companion Robert L. McCroskey, Grand High Priest for the year 1908-09, the oldest such officer present. A special memorial was held for 18 Past Grand High Priests who had been called to the Celestial Chapter. Members of the Shrine Choir presented a marvelous musical program in keeping with the ceremony. It is time we take a close look at this dynamo of a man who served Rainier, then the state, in the position in the East. Duke was born in Seattle, Washington, December 24, 1905. What a Christmas present he turned out to be for Herbert and Nellie Fife. He received his education in Seattle where he lived most of his life. In 1935 he married Edna Liming, who also resided in Seattle. In 1944 he became a Master Mason in Rainier Lodge; served as Master in 1957; joined Rainier Chapter Royal Arch Masons, to become High Priest in 1952. Rainier Commandery took his attention as well as Amethyst Chapter OES. In 1953, Duke received the Distinguished Service Medal from General Grand Chapter. Duke reigned over Washington Royal Arch Masons during the year 1958-59. But what kind of a man was Duke Fife? One companion describes him as, "The hardest working fool you ever met. Duke does not know when to quit working for the good of Masonry." Another closer friend described the Masonic leader as "working so hard he almost passed out at several meetings from the pressure he brought on himself. He has to be in on everything and help in every activity." During his active life Duke supported himself and family by being a particularly expert welder and part-time lithographer. One of his most enjoyable times was spent on a particular ferry ride from Bremerton to Seattle. It was payday and there was an exciting crap game in progress on the car deck. A professional was raking in the money, stuffing it between his legs, and going for more. The mate of the vessel would go behind the gambler, help himself, then get in the game. This happened a number of times on the hour long ride. Duke laughed so hard he cried and could not stand up. In trying to learn the "Duke Story" one wonders if this man was an angel or a Satan. Those who knew him envied him, fought with him, loved him, gambled with him, and cussed this hard-working leader. Most Excellent Companion Bill Scheele, long-time working partner and lifelong friend, recalls that Duke was not lucky in penny ante poker. It seems that one night Bill had a hot streak, while Duke was as cold as you know what. Bill would not look at his cards until all betting was finished. Duke was losing at least four out of five hands. Finally, he became so exasperated that he vowed never to gamble again. He never did. Such was the man who led his companions until the Celestial Chapter called him. The minutes of May 23, 1960, relate that Excellent Companion Howard Godfrey and Excellent Companion W. W. Wyatt attended a convocation in Victoria, B.C. The following day they participated in a parade as members of the Seattle Police Drill Team. They were surprised to see that three of the five parade judges were companions from the previous night's convocation. Incidentally, the Seattle Police Drill Team won the competition. September 26, 1960, was "Turn the Clock Back to 1954 Night" when the officers of the previous years opened and closed the chapter in ample and full form. They were Jesse Ogden, Hilmer Benson, James Lien, Summerd Frost, W. Lloyd Lyons, James Prine, Herbert Williams, Howard Godfrey, Roland Egerer, Phillip Kelling, Ed Remmert, and Harold Smethurst. The main business of the evening was the initiation into Rainier Chapter of Most Excellent Companion Ed Caddy as an honorary member. It was also announced that November 16, 1960, would be the date for the annual trip to install the officers of Anacortes Chapter. It appeared that three buses would be necessary for transportation. It is strange that this particular custom should never again be mentioned in the minutes of Rainier.

170 The April and May 1962 meetings of the Chapter were engaged in a lively discussion regarding the proposal of the Hobart Saddle Club to lease the Royal Arch Masons Park, allowing Royal Arch Chapters to use it only two times per year. In May it was announced that chapters in King County had voted overwhelmingly to keep the park for Royal Arch use and not lease it on a long-term basis to anyone. November 22, 1962, High Priest Ray Bolster announced the park had its best year. The park took in more money and had more members using the facilities than in any previous year. At the Convocation of October 25, 1968, there was a serious discussion that had many companions wondering just which side to take. Tradition and love wanted to keep the Chapter in its traditional meeting place. However, an increasing number of companions and their ladies had been attacked by ruffians in the neighborhood while trying to attend meetings. The result, a motion was made to move the meeting place of Rainier Chapter. Also, a motion was made to donate the chapter furniture to Ark Masonic Temple. On November 25, 1968, the new meeting place at the Scottish Rite Temple was used for the first time. There are no minutes for January 27, 1969; no meeting was held due to the lack of a quorum. Many officers, members, and ladies were missing due to the terrible snowstorm raging about the city that night. Most Excellent Companion Ted R. Fonis, Grand Master of the Third Veil, was introduced with appropriate honors at the June 21, 1970, Convocation. This marked the start of his rise in the Grand Family to eventually become the Grand High Priest of Royal Arch Masonry in the State of Washington. Who is this dynamic leader of companions who set the chapter alive with his remarks "for the record" and "off the cuff"? "Georgetown," Washington, is the birthplace for this firecracker of Masonry. Ted has lived up to this name, for he lives an active and varied life. Ellen, his sister, was the light of his life until 1959 when the lovely Betty Lou came on the scene. During World War II Ted was a "Tin Can" sailor, serving on two destroyers. After his discharge he traveled in Montana and Wyoming, but the old home was the best place of all. Ted returned to Seattle and joined the Seattle Police Department October 22, 1952, retiring from the force in 1981. We all make mistakes, and this was true of Bud Wyatt, Howard Godfrey, and Herbert Williams in 1958 when the sponsored Ted's application for Masonry in the Rainier Lodge. In 1959 Ted petitioned Rainier Royal Arch Masons and has been raising Cain here ever since. Not content with Rainier alone, Ted holds dual membership in King Solomon Chapter, Vancouver, B.C. In addition, he holds life membership in the Children's Heart Foundation and King County Royal Arch Park Association. He has spent many years with the Shrine and Seattle Police Department drill teams. Perhaps the highlight of his Masonic life was serving an exceedingly active and successful year as Grand High Priest of Royal Arch Masonry in Washington in 1978-79. Who knows what the future will hold for this exciting and colorful leader of our brotherhood. Rainier Chapter had returned to its financial problems for in a bulletin dated February 22, 1971, Secretary, the Very Excellent Companion Ted Fonis. announced that 111 companions were delinquent in their dues for 1971 and eight for 1970. It was necessary at the following meeting to withdraw $200 from savings to pay the current bills, dues to Grand Chapter, and other expenses. Evidentally Ted's exhortations were successful for all but three companions paid their dues, and in May 1971 Rainier Chapter was able to start "The Jimmy Mitchell Memorial Fund." A real servant of the Chapter resigned from office in November 1971 when Hilmer Benson retired after serving for 21 years as Treasurer. His jewel was retired and presented to him. Misfortunate hit again in the winter of 1972. In January of that year 15 members and four ladies braved the snow to hold an abbreviated meeting. The assembly came to a sudden halt with a phone call from the police department warning of the increasing snowfall, and the message for all police officers to report immediately for emergency duty. Serious times were under discussion in March 1972. High Priest Ed Marion was ill so the Grand High Priest William Edgar Scheele opened Chapter. The business of the evening revolved around the motion to unite with Amity chapter to consolidate the Chapter. The May meeting brought the last reading of the consolidate motion and the vote not to consolidate. Consolidation was again the main order of business for the meeting May 28, 1973, when a motion was made to unite with Seattle No. 3. Again, the motion was rejected. These drastic measures were in the middle of a real drought of new members for Rainier. No new petitions were read between September 27, 1971, and March 26, 1973. The December 18, 1973, minutes should be quoted verbatim. "Peace and harmony were prevailing in the Chapter when there was an alarm at the door. The Royal Arch Captain, Harry Johnson, discovered that the ladies auxiliary wished to present a check for $150 to the chapter. Hallelujah! The Chapter is once again in the black!" A series of blows started 1974 for the Rainier Chapter. The January meeting was cancelled due to snow—this is becoming a bad habit. The spring dragged on with degree work for one candidate. In June, Maurice Erickson acted as High Priest due to the illness of the High Priest Robert Schirkofsky. Then to cap the misfortune, on September 23, 1974, a memoriam was held for Excellent Companion Robert Shirkofsky, the first High Priest to pass on while in office. At the same meeting Most Excellent Companion Ted Fonis presented his Canadian flag to the chapter. This flag was a personal gift to Ted from the Grand High Principal of British Columbia.

171 Rainier Chapter has been on a slow, regular decline in membership, but in 1976 under the direction of High Priest LaVelle W. Thresher there was an upswing with petitions being voted on at every convocation. During the years 1977 and 1978, under High Priest Sherman Diamond and High Priest Donald Hart this growth continued with over 60 petitions being voted on in the three years. Rainier Chapter rose to become the fourth largest chapter in the state. At the September 27, 1977 meeting, 22 Past High Priests were honored at the traditional Rainier Past High Priest Night. The June 26, 1978, minutes record the second passing of a High Priest while in office, Excellent Companion Donald C. Hart. This was a real loss to the chapter. He had been personally responsible for bringing many new members to the chapter. An unusual motion was passed unanimously on September 24, 1979, that Companion Earl Morris be made honorary Past High Priest for his faithful service as Sentinel. The motion acted upon, Excellent Companion Morris was escorted to the altar while the companions stood and sang "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow." After 15 years at the post, he must retire due to a stroke that left him partially paralyzed. On June 23, 1980, Washington Masonry in general, and Rainier Chapter in particular, suffered a tremendous loss. Very Excellent Companion Lloyd Lyons went to serve in that Celestial Chapter on high. A few of his titles might indicate how mightily he served our craft: Past High Priest of Rainier Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Secretary Emeritus of Rainier Chapter, Royal Arch Masons; Past Master, Rainier Lodge; PILC Rainier Commandery, Adoniram Council. At one time he served as Secretary of Rainier Royal Arch Masons and Commandery and Adoniram Council at the same time. A true Mason in every sense of the word with the highest approbation of his brothers, one and all. Rainier Chapter maintains its position of leadership in the fraternity throughout the state of Washington. Its many dedicated members and strong leaders look forward to the years ahead for continued companionship and growth.

172 173 174 AMITY #53 Having received Dispensation and Charter along with the other two Chapters and being been constituted by the Grand High Priest William Drips with a number of Grand Chapter officers and Companions of neighboring Chapters assisting, on May 29, the night after Rainier Chapter was formed, Amity Chapter became No. 53, with William B. Kimball as their first High Priest. The Chapter got off to a good start—at the end of 1925 (while they were still a U.D. Chapter) they had 76 members. The membership stood at 92 on December 31, 1926 (the end of the year of their constitution). During the year 1927, Most Excellent Companion Walter H. Steffey was one of the inspectors and he reported on the new Chapter: "The records and accounts are in good shape and considering the fact that this is one of the youngest chapters in the state, I am pleased to say that in my opinion it is giving to Royal Arch Masonry as much or more than some of the older chapters in the jurisdiction." But during the 30's their numbers decreased and reached a low of 58 in 1941. The trend then reversed and after the war, rapidly increased and reached the all-time high of 260 in 1955. In 1966 they had 197 members.

FALLS CITY #54 On February 13, 1926, a meeting was held in the Masonic Temple in Fall City for the purpose of getting a Chapter started there. Companion N. R. Harshaw was seated as chairman with W. W. Cheney as Secretary. A petition was drawn up, signed by 40 Royal Arch Masons, and sent to the Grand Chapter. In due time they were granted their dispensation along with Rainier and Amity Chapters. The Charter was signed by 26 members and was granted during the 42nd Annual Convocation in Yakima on May 4, 1926. Most Excellent Companion H. Steffen opened chapter in the Masonic Temple on June 18, 1926, with the aid of Right Excellent Companion W. H. Ellert as Grant Secretary and Excellent Companion W. H. Steffey as Grand Captain of the Host. It was constituted as Chapter No. 54 with C. W. Bonnell as High Priest. Two of the other installed officers, J. M. Tait as Captain of the Host and E. J. Miller as Master of the First Veil, in 1965 were surviving charter members (both in their 80's). Of the 26 charter members, eight were still living, and were voted life members in the fall of 1965. Over the years several of their members have served the Grand Chapter. Included are Berndt Statterbo as Deputy (1949), Harvey Folsom as Grand Sentinel (1960) and as District Deputy (1962-64); J. M. Tait was appointed the Grand Representative to Florida by Most Excellent Ceil M. Ward. Most Excellent Companions Steffey and Caddy have been voted honorary life memberships. The membership reached the high of 94 in 1929. Since that time the number has fluctuated. In 1966 they had 45 members.

LONGVIEW #55 A constitutional number of Royal Arch Masons petitioned for Dispensation to form a Chapter U.D. at Longview, Cowlitz County, at the beginning of 1927. During April of 1927, the Grand High Priest William Drips visited the new Chapter and witnessed the conferring of the Royal Arch Degree by its officers. He was satisfied they were worthy and recommended a Charter, which was granted during the 43rd Annual Convocation on May 3, 1927. The Charter was granted to 41 members. The first High Priest was Pearl H. Bullock. The membership climbed slowly to 60 in 1930, then slowly dropped to a low of 23 in 1942. The trend reversed and rose by leaps and bounds to an all-time high of 220 in 1955. The Chapter was moved to Castle Rock, Washington, in 1949, when the building in which they were meeting was condemned. The first meeting held there was on February 25, 1949. However, the Chapter was moved back to Longview and into the Masonic Temple on September 9, 1949. The chapter is honored by having one of its members, Dave Watson, serve this Grand Jurisdiction as the Grand High Priest in 1952. In 1966 their membership was 193.

LINCOLN PARK #56 This history was not written to chronicle every election, Installation, Degree, potluck, dinner, or visit of every Grand Officer. There are many names of appointed members and ordinary members whose priceless and generous aids are most worthy of mention. But, this is not a slowly and completely written history. We race against a time interval imposed upon us. Our history concerns and honors all our High Priests. To the author, these leaders were deemed to have been our real movers and doers—the sparkplugs who have kept our Chapter alive for its 54-year existence.

175 There are few Royal Arch Secretaries who may boast of having met and personally known every Past High Priest from the founding of a Chapter to its present day. I am one such fortunate Secretary. Those honorable leaders prior to 1947 were my school teachers, the men from whom I and my family purchased cars, food, meat, insurance, car repairs, and even clothing. One Excellent Companion, still with us, took my Masonic petition into my Symbolic Lodge. I worked for two of them. Several were customers to my small business in later years. No one but a Secretary can intimately know the donations, the fears, the sincerity, and even deep sorrows, that many high priests encounter in their year of leadership. This history is intended as a memorial to emphasize the historical years of our high priests. Signed, Jay W. Norton, Sr., Honorary Past High Priest; Secretary, 1948-1981. Back in 1926, in the south end of Tacoma, lay a large 25-block-square area. It was known as the "Lincoln Park - South 38th Street Place." The name came from the fact that a small city park and high school within the large piece of real estate had similar names. A block or two away from these places was a large and growing business area. It was known as the "38th Street Place." Back in 1926, at least 50 small businesses of many descriptions served the needs of many hundreds of people. For some reason or another never known, Lodges and Concordant Bodies meeting in the downtown Masonic Temple sort of wrote off the area as to any Masonic importance. No one expected any kind of Masonic activity. Strangely, no one considered that a large segment of those lodges or bodies had members living in this middle-of-the-south-end spot. It really should have been no surprise that, in 1926, some Masons of those downtown Lodges and bodies began to think of Masonic organizations closer to their homes or their businesses. In my own Symbolic Lodge, Royal A. Gove No. 230, F&AM (established in 1920), member transfers and even new members from the growing "38th Street Place" were beginning to be noticed. There was, however, no place for the York Rite men who lived in the area to go, as far as a Royal Arch Chapter was concerned. But, a feeling was growing that there should be such a place. By 1926, both the Tacoma Chapter No. 4 Royal Arch Masonry and Keystone Chapter No. 37 Royal Arch Masonry had been established for many years, with the No. 4 chapter dating back into the 1890's. In this chapter, most of the membership was made up of Tacoma's greatest "names" in commerce, law, medicine, department store executives, and some very well-off people. Keystone Chapter had a reputation of not only its own area businessmen, many members from the Northern Pacific Railroad car shops, but also a goodly number of Tacoma policemen as well as a few from the County Sheriff's office. In either case, many Masons of the Lincoln Park - 38th Street area felt neither membership types seemed to represent their area very well. It was coupled also to untimely remarks sometimes made about their spot of Tacoma. It was a kind of continuing arrogance that was beginning to trouble most of the "38th Street" Masons. As a matter of true historical fact, two of Tacoma Chapter No. 4's top officers—its Captain of the Host and its Royal Arch Captain—began to think of quitting their posts because of the untimely remarks. If it were not for a 39th Street grocer by the name of Charles M. Forseth, the two officers would have resigned. Oldtimers say other officers would have also quit. Forseth—in a short time to be called "Excellent Companion"—persuaded the men not to quit, but to join him in the work of founding a brand new Royal Arch Chapter for the "Lincoln Park" area. They took his good counsel, finished out their terms of office, and began in 1927 to join other members of Tacoma No. 4 to establish what is now known as "Lincoln Park Chapter No. 56, Royal Arch Masons." Charles M. Forseth was no stranger to organizing. He had been a Mason since 1901, receiving his degrees in Michigan. When he began his very successful grocery store, he demitted to Tacoma Lodge No. 22, F&AM, where his memory says he was a sparkplug. Somebody approached Charley in the early months of 1920, telling him a new Blue Lodge was to be established and asking for his help. Again he demitted when the new lodge was formed. After the organizing of Royal A. Gove Lodge No. 230, F&AM, was completed, Charley found himself to be elected as its first Worshipful Master. For our Royal Arch Chapter, Worshipful Brother Charles was the right man in at the right time with the right talents to become our first High Priest. After talking with many of his Tacoma No. 4 Chapter Royal Arch Companions, Excellent Companion Forseth went to work with a strong vigor to get a Royal Arch Chapter going. He got plenty of help from his Royal A. Gove brothers. By the first organizational meeting of the embryo chapter of March 20, 1927, Charley was elected chairman. He lost no time in getting Most Excellent Companion William T. Drips, then Grand High Priest of the Most Excellent Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masonry of Washington, to attend that meeting and to tell his small group of committees what was expected, how to do it, and what was needed. Most Excellent Companion Drips was impressed with Charley's group and especially Charley. The Grand High Priest promised he would be back on April 30 to inspect the group's progress and if they were in order, he would recommend a dispensation. Charley called for another organizational meeting on March 26. He told the group he wanted, by April 15, a place for the new Chapter, Bylaws, petitions for members, working tools, and some provision for degree robes, and most of all, he wanted a name. It was the American spirit of the time in splendid performance—the "get-it-done" movement that is so weak today, in or out of our Order.

176 On April 15, Grand High Priest Drips again visited. He thoroughly inspected every item that could prove a Royal Arch Chapter to be "legal"—including the ability of Charley and his boys to use proper ritual. Charley had all the needed items—a name, a place to put on degrees, working tools, bylaws, a list of provisional officers, and more importantly, 27 names on a petition to form another chapter, as well as 25 new member petitions! Most Excellent Companion Drips was again impressed with this active man called Forseth. He granted the Dispensation, saying he would recommend to the Grand Chapter that it be continued until November of 1927. If by that time they proved to be able to operate as a regular Chapter, a new Grand High Priest might deliver a regular chapter. He then appointed Forseth as our first High Priest, and other officers appointed to preside over Lincoln Park Chapter U.D.: William A. Lathrop, King; Robert E. Cook, Scribe; L. R. Johnson, Treasurer; Elmer R. Wright, Secretary; B. A. Jenne, Captain of Host; James B. Merrill, Principal Sojourner; Charles C. Cox, Royal Arch Captain; Charles G. Miller, Master of the Third Veil; Harry E. Clark, Master of the Second Veil; L. W. Sherman, Master of the First Veil; G. E. Sylvester, Chaplain; J. C. Masterson, Organist; and Bernard Rush, Sentinel. With the help of Ivanhoe Commandery No. 4, Keystone No. 37, and many members of Tacoma Chapter No. 4, the months between May and November of 1927 were busy ones with degree work and the usual business. It is interesting to note that there is no minute mention of any help coming from Tacoma Council No. 1, RAM. The vitality and hard work of Excellent Companion Forseth proved that the U.D. Chapter had every ingredient needed for a regular Royal Arch Chapter by November 23, 1927. On that date, new Grand High Priest James McCormack and his entire staff came and watched. Later in the evening, a formal charter was granted. Lincoln Park Chapter was a reality, and the south end of Tacoma had a new York Rite organization. There is a note of irony about the November 23 charter-granting meeting. The then-Secretary of Tacoma Chapter No. 4, Past High Priest Charles M. Sherman, was a well-known dissenter and against another Tacoma Royal Arch Chapter no matter where it was located. Most Excellent Companion McCormack knew this. The Grand High Priest appointed Sherman Grand Secretary of the charter meeting. It was his job to read to the assembled the actual charter of Lincoln Park! Oldtimers say that Sherman didn't want to be the Grand Secretary, but he respected authority. It was Masonry in action. In the December 2, 1927, stated convocation, Excellent Companion Forseth called for an election of officers, the first under the new Charter. The following were the first elected officers of our chapter: Raymond E. Cook, High Priest; James B. Merrill, King; Charles C. Cox, Scribe; Leander R. Johnson, Treasurer; and Elmer Wright, Secretary. An open installation for January 6, 1928, was discussed. The rest of the evening was taken up by a Royal Arch Degree on several new candidates. At the December 16 meeting, an invitation was read to have the Chapter join Tacoma No. 4 and Keystone No. 37 in a three Chapter installation. There was a feeling that the idea was good, and even brotherly, but the officers felt that Lincoln Park, being newly chartered, ought to hold and experience an installation of their own. In an open installation on January 6, 1928, the following became Lincoln Park's first "regular" officers: Ray E. Cook, High Priest; James B. Merrill, King; Charles C. Cox, Scribe; L. R. Johnson, Treasurer; Elmer Wright, Secretary; Charles M. Forseth, Past High Priest, Chaplain; James W. J. Steadman, Captain of Host; Robert F. Brown, Principal Sojourner; Harry J. Clark, Royal Arch Captain; Edward L. Reid, Master of the Third Veil; Harry E. Durant, Master of the Second Veil; Herman A. Visser, Mas- ter of the First Veil; John C. Masterson, Organist; and Bernard Rush, Sentinel. It is interesting to note that seven of the names above became high priests of the Chapter. Companion Steadman later demitted and became a high priest of Tacoma Chapter No. 4. None of these companions is alive today, except Steadman, who is still active in the affairs of Tacoma No. 4. The 1928 year of our first elected High Priest, Ray E. Cook, produced few historical events. One such was a change in the bylaws from two meetings a month to only first Fridays as we now meet. The minutes of that time show an apparent misuse of what monies the Chapter had. In one place it is shown monies used for a joint meeting with No. 4 and 37 to help finance a southwest Washington regional meeting. The same minutes quote the chapter owing two month's rent. The records show 53 members at the time. Per capita costs to the Grand Chapter were only 25 cents per member. High Priest James B. Merrill was one of the 38th Street area's best butchers. If anyone could do well with money, he could. He got donations, gifts, etc., from members in a sum large enough to pay off the $610 debt for the degree robes the Chapter purchased from the Grand Chapter. Some of those old robes we use today. In the middle of Excellent Companion Merrill's year of 1929, screaming headlines told of the stock market crash. Old minutes show a remark from a member fearing layoffs in the Northern Pacific car shops of South Tacoma. A similar fear is expressed by a member who was a teacher. It was no joke to our teacher-members. We had 11 at the time and, if layoffs came, it could hurt the chapter. However, none of our 11 teachers was ever laid off. As entertainment for several years, the Chapter was entertained by a very fine singing quartet from Ivanhoe Com- mandery No. 4, K.T. One member of that old singing group was Excellent Companion J. W. J. Steadman. Those great ritualistic talents that Excellent Companion Steadman displayed in his further climb on the Masonic ladder, our chapter witnessed very early. He could do any part of the work as well as sing...he went on to a wonderful career as a Past Grand Master of Washington Masons and honored as 33 degree S.R. Mason.

177 Grocer Excellent Companion Charles C. Cox had a good 1930 year despite work force layoffs and not much money in the Chapter's bank account. A minor highlight of his year came when Companion Ned Ubben (destined as High Priest in 1934) presented Excellent Companion Cox with a beautiful wood pedestal, which we still use. At the December 5 meeting, the singing quartet of the Commandery again entertained. During that meeting, Excellent Companion J. W. J. Steadman, as spokesman for the group, said that the Commandery had plans to send a drill team and a drum and bugle corps to the 1931 K.T. Triennial meeting. A New Year's dance with tickets at $1 was to help finance the venture. There is no further mention in our minutes whether the drill team or drums and bugles ever got to the K.T. meeting. The 1931 year had an excellent ritualist in Excellent Companion Robert F. Bown. Excellent Companion Bown was at the time principal of the James P. Stewart Intermediate School. Despite very good ritual teams he organized, he had no new members. The team did help No. 4 and No. 37 with their Degrees. It was not a very good year for the Chapter. By the time Excellent Companion Edward L. Reid had been in the High Priest chair for two months of 1932, bank closures were not unusual, due -to the deepening Depression. Word came to the chapter that the 38th and Yakima Avenue branch of the Puget Sound National Bank would close its doors. It looked like a complete loss to everyone having money in the bank. We had but $52. Eventually, the bank paid us back 75 percent, or $39. Times were getting bad. Customers to Excellent Companion Reid's shoe shop began to owe small bills like $1.50. A benefit card party was held in October to get funds to pay two months' rent, $10. Companions Ned Ubben and Fred Waters (both to be High Priests in later years) donated a very fancy lathe-turned wooden bowl and an ornate set of fireplace tools as prizes for the card party. Our minutes do not say whether either man made them in his school shop, where each of them were manual arts teachers. The same minutes do record the sadness of the chapter in having to issue a demit to Excellent Companion J. W. J. Steadman. Steadman was an engineer, and he had taken a job out of the state, and he didn't know how long he might be away from our jurisdiction. The 1933, 1934, and 1935 years of Excellent Companions Harry E. Durant, Ned H. Ubben, and Fred Waters produced very few new members. There were more NPD's than members who received degrees. The old annual report of 1935 shows only 44 members. It was hoped by Excellent Companion Durant that, since new President F. D. Roosevelt had a new social program to create jobs called the W.P.A., there might be hope of some candidates. But, lodge joining for men who needed those W.P.A. dollars to feed and clothe a family was out of the question. Still, in those hard years, the three High Priests put on potlucks, helped other chapters, and even donated money for refreshments of their meetings. We see this in a notation of old minutes: "Bills will be paid when monies are available." A note further down in the minutes says, "Refreshments donated by the High Priest." Those grand old men of our Chapter, still with us, were honored in 1953 by a 50-year certificate from the Grand Chap- ter with an appropriate lapel pin, in 1953. I printed up very special cards for them. In the 1977 Past High Priest Night, I again made special printed and framed citations for each. These remarks mean, of course, our beloved Ned U. Ubben and Fred Waters. Excellent Companion Durant died in 1968. A special word must be said about High Priest Harry Durant. His hobby was woodworking, and Harry made most beautiful acacia wood gavels which he freely gave to various High Priests and Past Masters of Royal A. Gove Lodge No. 230, F&AM, where Harry had been a Master. Like Excellent Companion Durant, High Priest Uben was an expert with woodwork. He was a longtime woodshop teacher in the Stewart Intermediate School, and I was lucky to be one of his students. The very working tools we still use in the chapter were made by him, as were our extra gavels. Excellent Companion Fred Waters was another of my teachers. He taught electric shop and metal shop. Fred finally got out of teaching just before World War II began. He became an electrician in the Bremerton Naval shipyard, from which he retired some years ago. To his great credit, he still helps out his Bremerton Chapter, Council, and Commandery, when his health permits. He is 85, five years younger than his old buddy, Excellent Companion Ned Ubben. Excellent Companion Water's High Priest year of 1935 holds a special meaning for me. I graduated from high school that year, and Excellent Companion Fred attended that graduation. It was during the year of 1935 that Lincoln Park Chapter was told by their landlords—Royal A. Gove No. 230, F&AM— that the lodge was looking for a new building in which to meet; and if found, a move was to be made. The old Horsfall Hall, still standing on South 38th Street, was getting too small for the growing populations of Masonic orders renting. As it turned out, the lodge didn't buy a building until 1941. This is the one in which we still met. (This building was formerly a grocery store with two small apartments on the second floor. The skill and experience of lodge men such as High Priest Durant and others turned it into a very fine Masonic hall. And, it is debt-free.)

178 Although the 1936 year of Excellent Companion Dr. Ray T. Frederick was not noted for its new member intake, the man himself was to become Tacoma Masonry's most noted "character" and ardent York Rite worker. There were very few Masonic organizations that "Doc" was not in some way, some office, active. The range of his work covered most Masonic organizations, both men and ladies, as well as boys' and girls' organizations. He was Tacoma's very first KYCH. More than that, Excellent Companion Frederick had been a state representative of his district. He was a past commander of both the VFW and the American Legion. He had been a Navy man in World War I. Not the last of it, he and I revived the then-defunct F. W. Keator Chapter, Order of DeMolay, and he became its first Chapter Dad in that reorganized state. As usual, I was both temporary secretary and later an advisor. Excellent Companion "Doe's" profession was that of a chiropractor, although he called himself a "sanipractic doctor"—which sometimes earned him some side glances from the local AMA powers. Excellent Companion Frederick's talents were several. While he was an excellent speaker, he was pretty good in most all parts of Blue Lodge to Shrine to the ladies ritual. He was a pretty fair singer. At every Royal Arch degree that was put on in our chapter for more than 7 years, "Doc" sang the "Holy City," and he did it for Tacoma No. 4 as well as Keystone No. 37. I can still hear that rich baritone singing the "Holy City." Frederick's boldness led him to be an absolute "first" in Royal Arch Masonry. With the help of his officers, we put on an open-air Royal Arch degree at "Doc's" big estate near Tacoma. The early mention of it raised eyebrows and fears of a poor degree, bad "tiling", etc., etc. Still, another "bold" Mason, our longtime helper and friend, the then-Grand High Priest, Most Excellent Companion Carl L. Swanson, took a chance on all of us, especially "Doc," so he issued a special Dispensation. As it turned out, we had 20 candidates, some 70 Royal Arch Masons, and their wives, and an actual forerunner of future years of degrees being done in open air in the TeninoCentralia area. It was the talk of the state. After that, Excellent Companion Frederick was called "Mr. York Rite" in Tacoma. He was, in fact, offered a chance to become a high ranking Grand Chapter officer. Typically, "Doc" told me he didn't want that kind of office on the mere success of one "stunt" as he called it. It is a well-known fact that, if "Doc" had paid more attention to his Scottish Rite, he had a shot at a 33rd degree. There was still another side to this extraordinary Mason. He loved to act, especially to play a comedy act. He got a chance to show off those talents when he teamed up with the then county sheriff Lee Croft, an ardent Mason, in presenting to various Masonic organizations a skit called "The Shooting of Dan McGrew." I rewrote some parts of the original to give it a most Masonic tone in several spots. The skit first saw light at the 1950 installation of High Priest Ivan H. Gaylord. Our Excellent Companion helped put on and did some degree work in the open air Mark Master degrees that were put on in an old abandoned stone quarry in Tenino, Washington. Due to bad dirt fill conditions, these popular gatherings, complete with a picnic, had to be abandoned within a few years. Excellent Companion Frederick died in 1967, and Masonry lost a wonderful friend and supporter. It was said that his funeral was the largest attended Masonic funeral up to that date. There was a special incident concerning that funeral a few of us will always remember. As an old friend of Frederick's, I was one of the head-of-casket pallbearers. The casket, an expensive and very heavy affair of copper and mahogany, was hard to handle. The companion on my left stumbled. Then we all stumbled, almost dropping "Doc" and his last home to the ground. I often have wondered if "Doc" was having the last laugh on us, or if his spirit was trying to tell us to work together. After all, if it were not for the super effort of every pallbearer, "Doc" would have surely hit the ground before he was supposed to. By the 1937 year of Excellent Companion salesman Elmer Visser, eight Masters of Royal A. Gove Lodge No. 230 had either been High Priests or officers of our Chapter. The Scottish Rite members of Gove didn't like the idea at all, and they vowed to slow down that trend. New members were hard to come by. Excellent Companion Elmer had one. Worse, the old annual report showed the membership down to 42. The old minutes do show some bright, some interesting items of Excellent Companion Visser's year. One such item is that Companion Boone Siler, to be High Priest in 1938, often entertained the Chapter with renditions on his musical saw. He was good at this strange instrument. (Boone's son, Clarence, was to be our High Priest in 1963.) The same minutes tell of the singing talents of Excellent Companion Fred Waters and his wife. They, too, offered entertainment during the year. There is a sad implication behind one statement in the old minutes of the Visser year. The simple statement says that Mrs. Faley Stickler was paid $2 for 4 hours of dishwashing after a degree meeting. Her husband, Faley, wanted to join the Royal Arch. However, he never got to the Master Mason degree. It was said that Bro. Stickler was afraid to take the degree. It seems someone told him it was a very violent degree. To make matters worse, the man who then acted as the 3rd Ruffian made the fear worse by most untimely remarks. The reason Faley was afraid was that he had a serious heart ailment, and he was afraid he might have a heart attack. When he died, he was given Masonic honors only as a Fellowcraft. His son was my best friend, who also died of heart trouble.

179 High Priest C. Boone Siler's 1938 began with his installation on December 3, 1937. It was necessary to hold the affair that evening because Excellent Companion Siler was leaving for Florida. Excellent Companion Siler was a builder of homes. Many a home in Tacoma owes its quality to the kind of work he did. Boone had no Degree work, but there was an abundance of slide shows, and even a movie or two. Excellent Companion Siler made the Golden Triangle or Platform which rests in our Temple locker. Excellent Companion Homer A. Post was both a teacher and a member of the Washington National Guard during his 1939 year. This teacher of journalism at Lincoln High school had been my teacher some 5 years back. He was also my sergeant in the National Guard. Similar to Excellent Companion Siler, Homer had no candidates, and he had money problems in the chapter. Like several of his High Priest friends, Homer dug into his own pockets for refreshments and a bill or two. Excellent Companion Homer favored the DeMolay boys, and he had them exemplify their work several times. Years later, due to the sponsorship of me, Homer was on the advisory board of the revived F. W. Keator DeMolay chapter. In the call-up of guardsmen throughout the country, Homer and I took our physicals in the old Armory. Excellent Companion Homer was excused from military duty, but I was too young for that. About 15 years later, when Homer had retired from school work, he wrote a fine book on school newspaper journalism. I typed the original manuscript and acted as a sounding board for most of the chapters. This grand old man of Lincoln Park history and of Tacoma York Rite Masonry received many honors for his school newspaper and others for his journalistic work while a reporter. Excellent Companion Homer was for years a special reporter on military affairs for the “Tacoma News Tribune.” Before he became a teacher, he was a reporter for a Sacramento, California, paper. A few years ago, Excellent Companion Homer received the DeMolay Honorary Legion of Honor Award (that made four of us in the chapter who had received it—Excellent Companions John T. Frater, J. W. Pacsmag, and I). He also received his 50-year pin and certificate from the Grand Chapter. Since Excellent Companion Homer is 91 years old, not in very good health, we certainly wish him all the best. He lives out of Tacoma with his wife Laura of more than 64 years. He served as our Treasurer for 24 years. Our 14th High Priest, Excellent Companion A. R. Otto, performed a very special Masonic duty. It had the very essence of our Masonic obligations—helping a Brother Mason. The Companion who was to be my boss 15 years into the future, Leander R. Johnson, was accused by his banking superiors of embezzling bank funds. Johnson had been the manager of the Yakima Avenue branch of the Puget Sound National Bank when he closed its doors, due to fund shortness. Our minutes show Companion Johnson had the backing of his Chapter. They believed in his honesty, and so did Excellent Companion Otto, who was a most competent attorney. He took the case without hope of fee or reward. E. C. Otto won the case. It was proved that an officer in the downtown main office had juggled figures and made it look like the branch bank had made the error. No funds were actually missing. To Companion Johnson's great credit, the people of Pierce County reelected Johnson for 32 terms as County Treasurer. He retired at the age of 89 in 1967, and died in 1969. He was my boss for more than 13 years at his retirement. I went on to work for Johnson's successor—another Brother Mason, though not a York Rite Mason, for 7 more years. Excellent Companion Otto suddenly died of a heart attack on November 26, while still our High Priest. Due to the death of Excellent Companion Otto, the work of High Priest 0. E. Dunayski began with the December 6, 1940, meeting, though he would not be actually installed until January 1941. At the December meeting, he faced something of a dilemma. Money, members, and attendance were falling. The motion of Companions James A. Cooley and Frank J. Alleman quoted that. It was also asked for a surrender of Lincoln Park's charter. After much debate, and promises from Excellent Companion Dunayski to do all the Chapter's financing, the resolution failed. Brave Dunayski got several offers of money help after that. The Chapter did survive the bad war years, but it was because of men like Excellent Companion Dunayski and those who followed him by their generosity. The old minutes tell of gas, tires, food, and clothing being rationed by government order. From the 1942 year to 1947, even with losses of 13, the Chapter gained 78 new members. Outwardly, it seemed like a great many Blue Lodge Masons wanted to become Royal Arch Masons. However, it was known that at least 60 percent were on their way to the Shrine. Nevertheless, we welcomed the work, the new members, and most especially the fees. Excellent Companion J. H. Davis (1942), C. J. Conine (1943), C. S. Bowerman (1944), Harry E. Esborg (1945), Clifford W. Beebe (1946), and Robert A. Forrest (1947) had constant degree work. Most of degrees were done by teams, not the hit-or- miss condition we had to use in 1981. There were many cooperative degrees with the other two chapters. These were the years when the famous Most Excellent Master fully costumed degrees had more workers than necessary and attendance filled not only first floor chairs, but balcony chairs as well. Only the very best ritualists were invited to serve on the Most Excellent Master degrees of those years.

180 The minutes of the 1941 and 1942 years do not pinpoint when the Chapter moved from its meeting in the 38th Street area to its present home. It is known that my lodge, Royal A. Gove No. 230, F&AM, bought the present building in 1941 and after some remodeling, moved in that year. In the 1945 High Priest year of Harry A. Esborg, I gave him my Blue Lodge petition for Royal A. Gove Lodge No. 230, F&AM. Two years later, in 1947, he was a signer on my Royal Arch petition. Excellent Companion Harry lived a couple of doors from my home. I even bought a used Model A sedan from him when he was in the used car business in South Tacoma. Excellent Companion Harry became the longest serving Grand Buttonmaker in our state's history. Hundreds of Masons remember him and his interesting degree. For many years his main "helper" was our Past High Priest Dr. Ray T. Frederick (1936). Years later, due to ill health, he handed his Buttonmaker role to our Excellent Companion John H. Callison (1967). Excellent Companion Harry was a Past Master of my lodge. His Scottish Rite honored him with its 33rd Degree. Similar to 18 of our Past High Priests, Excellent Companion Clifford W. Beebe was a Past Commander of Ivanhoe Commandery No. 4, K.T. His year was also similar in the fact that 1946 also had much degree work. He organized an inter- chapter club he called the "RAMs." The chapter was split into two competing teams to see who could get the most new members in a six-month period. At the end of that time, the winners got a steak dinner, and the losers ate beans. The club faded by 1950. At the end of his 1946 year, Excellent Companion Beebe thought he wanted to be Secretary, although his work background was that of an electrician and not a clerical person. Companion George A. Burlingame (also a teacher at Lincoln High school) had been on the job for 10 years. It is presumed that he would have served longer except for Beebe's pressure. Excellent Companion Beebe became our Secretary of the 1947 and 1948 years. By the time I joined the Chapter in October 1947, the duties of Secretary began to pall on Excellent Companion Beebe. He knew I had a clerical-bookkeeping work background, and was the Scribe's advisor in his son's DeMolay chapter. In the middle of 1948, Excellent Companion Beebe had found out he didn't have interests in the Secretary's job. He asked me if I would act as the Chapter Secretary, and it would enable him to do more in ritual work in the Chapter as well as the Commandery. Although I took the minutes from June to December 1948, I typed his name on them, since he was the elected Secretary. My own term began in the joint installation with Keystone No. 37 in January 1949. The initiation of 39 members in High Priest Albert Frey's 1948 year was the largest of the Chapter's history. It is sad to note of that large class, only Companions G. R. Greene, Frank Villaescusa, Wayne Vanderflute, and George Wright are alive today. Beyond almost endless degrees, we aid participate in a joint Pierce-King County picnic, and we took candidates to an open air Mark Master degree then held in an old stone quarry at Tenino, Washington (a few years after, the quarry was considered unsafe, due to rock slides). The 1949 year of Excellent Companion David A. Haddon, Sr., was marked by 25 new members, and fine Degrees were given. Among old members, Excellent Companion Dave's box lunch refreshments are remembered. Dave borrowed an idea out of the 1890's. He had our wives make up fancily-wrapped box lunches, and he auctioned them off at a price no higher than $5. The idea was you bid on the box lunch and the lady of your choice; you didn't always share the lunch with your wife. Dave used the money earned to pay for a couple of well-attended dinners, complete with local York Rite big-shots and some Grand Officers. Excellent Companion Haddon tried to bring all York Rite Bodies into a citywide York Rite Council. After a few months of meetings, the idea was abandoned. He did bring one idea into being that went over well with all Chapters. He sent for the Ritual of the Royal Arch Widow's Degree, and with the help of officers, put the first one seen in Tacoma on at our chapter. To this day, our well-liked Past High comes and visits on Past High Priest Nights. I don't remember his missing any since I've been Secretary. While there was good work during the 1950 and 1951 years of High Priest's Ivan H. Gaylord and Luther E. Wood, there is not much of historical importance noted in the minutes. There was, in Excellent Companion Wood's year, something that happened to show that our chapter tried to take care of its own. Our first High Priest, Charles M. Forseth, was reported ill and without funds and no nearby relatives. When he died, we gave some funds, together with some from Royal A. Gove Lodge No. 230, and with the help of the Tacoma Masonic Service Bureau, poor Forseth was buried with some dignity and not in a pauper's grave. In Excellent Companion Wood's year, we began to use the new Royal Arch Masonry ritual as sponsored by Most Excellent Companion Carl L. Swanson. I mimeographed the temporary version and it was used until the printed version was available. The Chapter got a small write-up in the Grand Chapter Proceedings about a Royal Arch Masonry bulletin I was doing at the time. High Priest Norman L. Caldwell's 1952 year had degrees, dinners, visits, but not much of a historical value. The one bit of history concerns a flag and a flagpole. Companion Eber Sizer (Past Master of Royal A. Gove No. 230, F&AM) donated a hand-lathed pole and a beautiful spread-wing eagle at its top. Both pole and eagle were made in Companion Sizer's

181 basement shop. (Sizer was an auto shop teacher when I went to high school.) The flag became outdated because it was a 48-state type. The eagle's wings broke off, and the staff became scarred. No one seemed too shaken about the old flag or its pole until the 1980 High Priest asked the Secretary to do something about the pole if he donated a new 50-state flag. I then reworked the pole, replaced the eagle with a Royal Arch emblem, and Excellent Companion Jim bought a new flag (said to have flown over our Washington, D.C., buildings). In the June meeting of Excellent Companion Caldwell's year, we were invited to the annual strawberry feed, which had gone on for many years. . This was at the old Robert Burns No. 48 chapter at Burton. Many of us did attend. (By 1977, the old Chapter had but a couple of members, so Grand High Priest Ted R. Fonis approved consolidation of it with West Seattle No. 45.) Our 1953 High Priest, Excellent Companion A. Leslie Cadieu is probably the closest we can point to as a "sparkplug" in modern times. In his term, Excellent Companion Cadieu had 12 new members, and more potlucks than ever had been put on before. His term was a good one, but it was not the thing that made Les so well known and liked among Tacoma York Rite men. From the time Excellent Companion Cadieu joined the chapter until 1979, he brought in an incredible 40 petitions! Most of them were from Fairweather Lodge No. 82, F&AM, where he is a Past Master. Excellent Companion Leslie well deserved the KYCH honors he received. Until quite recently, Les reported on any and all sick and ailing High Priests and others whom he did hospital visit. He can't get around that much now due to a hip and knee ailment. What a Grand Old York Rite Man and Mason! It cannot be said that the High Priest years of Excellent Companions H. W. Olson (1954), Sam H. McCullough (1955), Roy M. Wiley (1956), Fred A. Shouse (1957), or Bert Rodgers (1958) produced much in the way of history. They were good years of fellowship, speakers, dinners, and a little degree work. The "little" means about five members per the years noted. There was a different item in the year of Excellent Companion Helding W. Olson. Excellent Companion Olson was a highly paid crane operator. In so being, he could afford to indulge in the expensive hobby of buying and collecting rare and first issue stamps. On letters to me and to others, he always placed a first-issue stamp. I received about three such stamps. During the 1959 year of Excellent Companion William T. Rieppel, we acquired our present coffee urn in a unique manner. A coffee grinding company, to sell more of its coffee to organizations, offered a new urn in return for so many of the tin unwinding bands that came from its coffee cans. Excellent Companion Rieppel believed it a good idea, and he urged some members to buy a bit of the coffee to get the unwinding bands. Those, with others from the cans of coffee the chapter bought, finally secured for us the electric urn we still use. There would be no argument from any member of Tacoma York Rite members that our 1961 High Priest, Very Excellent Companion Seer R. (Bob) Weber, was not a booster for all Masonry. Not only was Excellent Companion Weber a good businessman (he sold office supplies, typewriters, etc.), he was a very fine ritualist. There were no degrees in the chapter he couldn't put on. His degrees were excellent, and his year brought in more than had been for some time. Excellent Companion Bob was made a deputy to the Grand High Priest in District No. 3. After that, he held several Grand Chapter offices. In fact, in 1964, I wrote for him the first complete history of our chapter. During Excellent Companion Weber's year, his King, Companion Paul Currence, died of heart trouble. Companion Currence made the apron box we still use. A bit of history created by the Grand Chapter in that year was to affect me, although I did not know it. It authorized for the first time the legal creation of Honorary Past High Priests. It should be not forgotten that, although Excellent Companion Bob at first was against the Tacoma Children's Heart Balls, he became their best salesmen in later years. Excellent Companion Bob died of cancer in 1978. He was a Past Master of Fairweather Lodge No. 82, F&AM. During the February meeting of 1962, in the term of Excellent Companion Ed Sparks, I was surprised to have conferred upon me the Honorary Past High Priests honors. For once, I didn't know what to say, the pleasure being so sudden and so great. However, in compliance, I called up the Chapter, conducted some business, and later closed the Chapter. It was a most memorable time in my Masonic career. I received a Past High Priest apron as well as lapel pin. The Past High Priests who did the conferring were Excellent Companions D. A. Haddon, Jr., S. E. (Bob) Weber, and Clarence V. Siler. It was said I was the first Honorary Past High Priest in the state. In the terms of Excellent Companions C. V. Siler (1963), Warren L. Moorhead (1964), James W. Pacsmag (1965), and Peter C. Miller (1966) there was the usual good fellowship, visits, and some degrees. These were the items of historical mention. In 1963, our sponsorship of the Puyallup Chapter DeMolay passed to Corinthian Lodge No 38, F&AM, at the request of Excellent Companion Pacsmag. In that same year, we attended in a body to a dinner honoring 100-year-old Robert L. McCroskey, Grand High Priest of 1908.

182 In 1964, the Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons of Washington, decreed that the life membership plans of individual Chapters had to be revised and the Grand Chapter version used. The generosity of Excellent Companion Peter C. Miller (1966) showed up in the form of a very beautiful candelabra (electric) which he and his friend, Companion Robert Fletcher, made and donated to the chapter. They also made a very fine altar kneeling stool. We still use both these gifts to this day. Excellent Companion Callison's year had but two new members, but he did try to have interesting meetings. He began to become interested in helping the proposed purchase of a Royal Arch Masons Park at Maple Valley, and in promoting visits to a Canadian Royal Arch Masons chapter in Richmond, B.C. Excellent Companion John also helped the October York Rite Festival held in Chehalis. Excellent Companion Charles A. Baldwin's 1968 year produced but one new member. However, since Excellent Companion Baldwin was very active with Masonic girls' groups—both Rainbow and Job's Daughters—we had several exemplifications of their work. We had the DeMolay boys, too. It was a quiet year. High Priest Ray Lawson of 1969 also had a quiet year, but he did have degree work for six new members. In Excellent Companion Ray's year, Past High Priest John Callison began to collect a $1 donation from all Masons who would part with the $1. This was to help in the purchase of the Maple Valley Royal Arch Masons Park. An old letter says the purchase price was a mere $8,000. It is probably worth at least six times that amount today. During Excellent Companion Ray's year we lost a distinguished Mason and a very good member. This was Companion Floyd Kinnear, Afifi Shrine Recorder since 1929. In September, a York Rite Proficiency Festival was held. Excellent Companion Ray was not too enthused, but we did take candidates to it. Excellent Companion Lawson demitted out of the chapter in 1974. As to gaining members in the 1970 year of Excellent Companion F. W. R. Brown, there was none. Worse yet, Excellent Companion Brown's year had six deaths and nine members were declared NPD. We attended as a body to the Fairweather Lodge No. 82, F&AM installation of Past High Priest S. W. (Bob) Weber as their Worshipful Master. Later in the year, our old friend and constant helper, Most Excellent Companion Carl L. Swanson, Past Grand High Priest, told us a shocking bit of news. Due to financial difficulties of the Grand Chapter, he said it was not impossible that all Royal Arch Masons might be asked to make voluntary donations to the Grand Chapter and that per capita taxes would certainly have to be raised. And, he said, the Grand Chapter was thinking about a $50 fee for the Royal Arch Mason degrees. Luckily, it didn't pass in the Grand Sessions. On that same evening, he had a visit from Most Excellent Companion Walter H. Steffey, Grand Secretary. He gave us a fine Masonic talk. It was the last time we ever heard or saw the Most Excellent Sir. He died in 1971. The 1971 year of Excellent Companion Homer L. Ferris (brother of Excellent Companion Murray Ferris, 1975), produced four new members. One of them was Companion John L. Langlow, our present Organist. When Langlow was installed as Master of Royal A. Gove No. 230, F&AM, several of us attended. The same year brought in Excellent and Very Excellent Companion Reuben W. Baer. There was a bit of quirk in Excellent Companion Homer's year. When Very Excellent Companion Weber brought up the subject of another Children's Heart Ball, both Tacoma No. 4 and Keystone No. 37 were not much enthused. The Very Excellent Companion Weber vowed to put on one even if he had to use all Lincoln Park men. As it turned out, most of the workers were from Lincoln Park, and the ball was considered a success. Excellent Companion Ferris died in 1979. There is something special that ought to be said about our 1972 High Priest, Excellent Companion George E. Hughes. He proved beyond any doubt that a "handicapped" person could become a leader in any organization, and equal to anybody. From birth, George had no left hand. His arm terminated in a stump. It did not prevent Excellent Companion George from driving a car, being a draftsman, a Worshipful Master, our High Priest, an R&SM Illustrious Master, a Commander of Knight Templars, or an active participant in the Shrine and even the ladies' organizations. He was an inspiration of everyone who knew him. In the Hughes year, wonderful old Past High Priests Ned Ubeen and Fred Waters were given their 50-plus-year pins and certificates from the Grand Chapter, Royal Arch Masons. We made up very special cards. Also in that year, we learned of the impending surrender of Washington Chapter No. 65's charter. Excellent Companion George died in 1979; he was only 54 years old. Despite the 11 candidates that pharmacist Excellent Companion John T. Frater had in 1973, attendance was bad, and even getting men for the degrees was not easy. Excellent Companion John tried his best to spice up attendance by good potlucks, slides, movies, and speakers. In one meeting, Excellent Companion John told us that Past High Priest Homer A. Post had been awarded the DeMolay Honorary Legion of Honor. It meant that now there were four of us with that honor— Excellent Companions Frater, Post, Pacsmag, and Norton.

183 In Excellent Companion John's September meeting, Past High Priest John H. Callison asked for volunteers to help a Masonic widow who had several panes of glass needing replacement. Two companions offered to do the job. Our own Very Excellent Companion Bob Weber was named Grand Orator. We greeted Very Excellent Companion Claude M. Parkinson, the newly appointed Deputy to the Grand High Priest in District No. 3. At the same time, we welcomed Companion Nelton I. Tipton, newly appointed Senior Grand Steward of the Most Worthy Grand Lodge of Washington F.&A.M. The 1974 High Priest of our chapter was Excellent Companion Joseph P. Harbaugh. (E.C. Joseph P. Harbaugh expired on March 12, 1984 prior to this printing.) Excellent Companion Joe, like Past High Priest Les Cadieu, is a big man. The Master's top hat we had looked a little silly on Excellent Companion Joe's big head. We told him to buy a hat that would fit him. He got one at the Tryfon Hatters. It cost a modest $50.40. Although Excellent Companion Harbough had some real fine meetings as well as dinners, we had but one new member. This was Companion Reino Moisio, who was to furnish music for all the Tacoma Children's Heart Balls until 1981. One of the best talks ever made in our chapter was one about our first president, George Washington, delivered by Past High Priest and Past Grand Master J. W. J. Steadman. Our ever active-and constantly selling Royal Arch Excellent Companion John Callison proposed a York Rite Association and a possible York Rite All Masonic Night. Due to the extreme poor attendance and much apathy, the idea was not considered too seriously, by us or the other two chapters. Excellent Companion Joe was elected Junior Grand Warden of the Grand Commandery, K.T. of Washington, shortly after he became a Past High Priest. He went on to become Grand Commander of Washington KT in 1979. He is the second KYCH of the chapter. Historically, the 1976 year of printer Glenn E. Forslund produced nothing that would aid, change, or in any way effect the good fellowship Excellent Companion Glenn tied to his year. It was told to us that Excellent Companion John Callison would officially become the Grand Buttonmaker, replacing ailing Past High Priest Harry Esborg. Excellent Companion Callison said the custom of the Buttonmaker Christmas party at the Masonic Home at Zenith would continue. We greeted E F. W. R. Brown as the Eminent Commander of Ivanhoe Commandery No. 4, K.T. It was news to us when Very Excellent Companion Claude Parkinson told us that, at the moment,50 percent of all petitions for Afifi Shrine were coming from York Rite candidates. High Priest Forslund said the October R.A. Festival would feature all three High Priests in the degrees to be offered. He appointed the King, Companion Nelton I. Tipton, and the scribe, Companion Reuben W. Baer, to report to the chapter no later than the March 1977 meeting on the complete plans for the coming 50th Anniversary Meeting planned for May 6, 1977. By year's end, Excellent Companion Forslund had several degrees for his two candidates. We welcomed new District Deputy Very Excellent Companion John T. Frater several times in the year. True to Excellent Companion Forslund's orders to report to the chapter on the coming 50th Anniversary, Excellent Companion Nelton I. Tipton told us in the March 1977 meeting that all was in readiness for the big meeting. With the well attended installation of Excellent Companion Tipton of 1977, the chapter was to be assured of three fine leaders through the 1979 year. Excellent Companions Tipton, R. W. Baer, and James C. Cifuentes, all friends and working together in the local office of the State Department of Licenses as driver. examiners. They even lived in homes a few yards from each other. The gala event which emphasizes Excellent Companion Tipton's year was the 50th Anniversary Meeting of May 6, 1977. It was very well attended, complete to the attendance of Grand High Priest Wayne J. Deming of the MEGC, Royal Arch Masons of Washington, and a number of his officer and state committeemen. All of Tacoma's York Rite leaders were there, as were several Order of Eastern Star and Amaranth notables. The program, preceded by a tasty dinner, was very entertaining. Later some fine music was provided by Companion John L. Langlow, the Afifi Shrine Oriental Band, the Ladies Oriental Shrine dancers gave an exhibition. Grand High Priest Deming was invited to direct the Oriental band. Needless to say the band played on, not paying any attention to Most Excellent Companion Deming's conducting. We gave the Excellent Sir an Honorary Member card. To nine oldtimers attending, we gave special gold cards, and after mailed the same kind of cards to other members whose membership stretched at least 20 to 30 years back. There were special Distinguished Service certificates given to Excellent Companions Ubben, Waters, Norton, Alderfer, J. W. J. Steadman, C. L. Swanson, Moorhead, Post, and Esborg. The Grand High Priest was also presented with one, and given one for our Grand Secretary, who was not able to come due to health reasons. Excellent Companion Ned Ubben and Fred Waters were given special honors for their being, at the time, 57 years in the service of the Royal Arch. Later in the 1977 year, Excellent Companion Tipton had degrees for two candidates. It was a very interesting year for the chapter. Although Excellent Companion Reuben W. Baer's 1978 saw a little less excitement than the 1977 year, he had degrees for two more new members. The Excellent Companion, myself, and Very Excellent Companion Frater handled all of the cash handed to us in the Tacoma York Rite Festival hosted by Excellent Companion Joe Harbaugh. In that meeting, Excellent Companion Harbaugh sounded out the city's York Rite Bodies for a possible site of the 1980 Grand York Rite Sessions. It did

184 not sound too interesting to the Bodies because of poor finances and a questionable manpower pool. The Session was given, as we were later told, to the Vancouver, Washington, area. We were saddened at the sudden death of Very Excellent Companion S. E. Weber in April, but we were glad to know that Excellent Companion Cadieu had received the KYCH award. We raised our dues to $9, the first raise in many years. In September, Excellent Companion Baer asked all officers to attend the Keystone No. 37 district meeting. Excellent Companion Leon Wise of No. 37 stated there would be plenty of fresh baked salmon for the meeting. At the close of the year, Excellent Companion Baer requested the Secretary write a history of the chapter. It is in our files. Our good Excellent Companion James C. Cifuentes' 1979 year had the same low amount of degree work as did the previous year. He had but two candidates. However, he was able to provide the chapter with operating funds from another source. It was a brand new mode for a Royal Arch Chapter. Excellent Companion Dr. Sidney Kase, High Priest of Tacoma Chapter No. 4, made an agreement with the management of the Bon Marche store to furnish volunteer workers to help in their semi-annual inventory. Seven of us volunteered, and we earned $125 for the chapter. There was, however, some dissatisfaction of our officers and of Keystone No. 37 as to the ratio of volunteers allowed to Tacoma No. 4 as compared to No. 56 and No. 37. Excellent Companion Kase had the ratio adjusted. Companion Lewis Curl, our King, told us he would have to give up his chances at being our next High Priest. He said he was starting a new business venture in Raymond, Washington, and could not, with regrets, continue in fraternal work. In September, a number of us attended a special Tacoma No. 4 meeting to witness our old friend and longtime helper, Most Excellent Companion Carl L. Swanson receive honors and his 50-year Royal Arch Masons pin and certificate. At our December meeting, Excellent Companion Kase stated there would be a future visit to a Richmond, B.C., Canadian Royal Arch Chapter. It would be a "district" meeting. (Excellent Companion Kase's use of the word "district" brought some dissatisfaction from the officers of Keystone No. 37 and Lincoln Park No. 56. It was only a broad use by the Excellent Companion, but not a fact. There has been no formal vote upon acceptance of such a project by the district chapters.) In the formal visit to our chapter at our November 2 installation, Most Excellent Companion Roy A. W. Krows, Grand High Priest, told us that Very Excellent Companion Nelton I. Tipton had resigned his Deputyship due to being transferred to a new position of responsibility in his job in Aberdeen, Washington. The Grand High Priest said he had appointed Excellent Companion Reuben W. Baer to fill out the unused portion of the Deputy term. He installed Very Excellent Companion Baer that evening, announcing Very Excellent Companion Baer would serve as District Deputy until the Grand Sessions of 1980. The 1980 year of Excellent Companion James H. Hudgins produced three new members and some degree work, and lots of vacant chairs on the sidelines. Mrs. Warren Moorhead, widow of Very Excellent Companion Warren Moorhead, gave her husband's Past High Priest apron to the secretary with the idea it be used by the chapter as a commemoration of his memory. It was agreed by the chapter that all present and future High Priests wear the apron during a term of service. The Secretary presented Excellent Companion Hudgins with the apron on our December meeting. Although we participated in the Bon Marche inventory project, only two members worked. These were Companions Harold Gisolo, our King, and William J. Pollock, our Master of the Third Veil. In lieu of not being able to help, either through lodge duties or otherwise, Companions Norton, Hudgins, Baer, and Laurent donated varying amount of money to the chapter. In February, Excellent Companion Hudgins hosted a district meeting to which Grand High Priest Roy A. W. Krows and 10 of his officers attended. It was preceded by a fine dinner. In that meeting, Excellent Companion Dr. Sid Kase said the Heart Ball would be at its usual place for the last time. A new site and a new format, he said, were being planned, for the 1981 ball. During the year, we welcomed the affiliation petition of Excellent Companion John D. Keliher, late of Tacoma Chapter No. 4. Our chapter had long been an admirer of his father, Dr. L. J. Keliher, now deceased. Excellent Companion John Keliher's reputation as a skilled Masonic scholar is well known and deserved. We changed our bylaws to eliminate the month of December as a regular meeting, it being very poorly attended in the past. In June we were introduced to the new District Deputy of District No. 3, MEGC, Royal Arch Masons of Washington. It was no surprise to greet Very Excellent Companion Dr. Sidney Kase of Tacoma Chapter No. 4, Royal Arch Masons. At our annual election of officers, the secretary read a letter from our King, Companion Harold Gisolo, telling the chapter that, due to the increasing pressure of his job, he would not be a candidate for the office of High Priest. At the request of several Past High Priests, Excellent Companion Hudgins was asked to consider his being High Priest for one more year. It was explained to the Chapter by Companion Laurent that he did not feel he was ready for the job until 1982, when some of his own job pressures would be eased. We presented both Very Excellent Companion Kase and Most Excellent Companion Swanson with framed certificates of appreciation for the help given us. A resolution was introduced creating Companion William J. Alderfer as an Honorary Past High Priest.

185 Excellent Companion Hudgins had requested, in the October meeting, knowing he might be High Priest for another term, to have a closed installation with the officer election. The request was obeyed. In the November meeting, we presented him with his official Past High Priest apron and pin. So far in this 1981 year, again with Excellent Companion James H. Hudgins, we have had no degree work. In our first meeting, we did approve the resolution conferring the Honorary Past High Priest title upon Companion William J. Alderfer. After bringing him in from the sentinel's station, we presented him with a Past High Priest apron. He was most pleased and warmly thanked the chapter. In that meeting, Very Excellent Companion Dr. Sid Kase, Deputy to the Grand High Priest in District No. 3, told us of the latest plans for the coming Tacoma Children's Heart Fund Ball. It would be held, he said, in the Afifi Shrine Mosque building. It should be noted that Very Excellent Companion Kase put on a very successful ball, and the whole theme of it was to donate much more in monies than had been done in the past. Excellent Companion Kase and his committees were indeed able to donate more. The sum of $1,100 was delivered by the Very Excellent Companion to the Heart Foundation, more than this city's York Rite Bodies had ever given! At our February 1981 meeting, just prior to the Heart Ball, we hosted a potluck dinner for Grand High Priest Vernon R. Parks, some of his officers, and particularly our guests, Excellent Companion J. Brinkman Douglas„ First Principal of the Simon Fraser Chapter of Vancouver, B.C., Canada, and his Second Principal, Companion Lloyd Shea. They were given each one of our Honorary Member cards. We also gaire Most Excellent Companion Parks an Honorary Membership card. The next day, in the afternoon, some of us attended the Past Master Degree at Keystone Chapter No. 37 in which the Canadian Companions received the Degree. It is not conferred in Canada. On our March meeting, I read a very nice letter from Excellent Companion Douglas, and in his and the behalf of Companion Shea, thanking us for our courtesies. It is too early in the year to say what other activities of history can be recorded. We'll try very hard, however, to keep Lincoln Park Royal Arch Masonry going for another 54 years!

By Jay W. Norton Secretary and Hon. P.H.P.

KYCHs of the Chapter 1981 Joseph P. Harbaugh (1974) A. Leslie Cadieu (1953)

186 LINCOLN PARK #56 Living High Priests (1984)

Ned H. Ubben 1934 J. H. Hudgins 1979 H. E.. Esborn 1945 J. H. Hudgins 1981 R. M. Wiley 1956 Homer A. Pst 1939 Ed Sparks 1962 A. L. Cadieu 1953 P. S. Miller 1966 D. A. Haddon, Jr. 1960 N. I. Tipton 1977 C. V. Siler 1963 J. G. Cifuentes 1979 J. T. Frater 1973 W. J. Alderfer (Hon) 1981 G. E. Forslundd 1976 Fred H. Waters 1935 D. Hahrenkratt (aff#65) D. A. Haddon, Sr. 1949 J. D. Keliher (aff#4) F. A. Shouse 1957 J. H. Hudging 1980-81 J. W. Norton (Hon) 1962 M. L. Laurent 1981-82 J. H. Callison 1967 D. J. Ferguson 1982-83 M. L. Ferris 1975 Roy Clemmons 1983-84 R. W. Baer 1978 ------Deceased High Priests, 1927-1981 Elected Treasurers and Secretaries Treasurers 1927 Charles M. Forseth 1928 Ray E. Cook Treasurers 1929 James B. Merrill Leander R. Johnson 1927-1931 1930 Charles C. Cox Charles M. Forseth 1932-1940 1931 H. E. Durant Otto C. Dunayski 1942-1943 1936 Dr. R. T. Frederick Homer A. Post 1944-1968 1937 H. A. Visser A. Leslie Cadieu 1969-1981 1938 C. B. Siler Secretaries 1940 A. R. Otto Elmer R. Wright 1926-1928 1941 0. C. Dunayski Herman A. Visser 1929-1935 1942 J. H. Davis George A. Burlingame 1936-1946 1943 C. J. Conine C. W. Beebe part 1948, all 1947 1944 C. S. Bowerman J. W. Norton part 1948, 1983 1946 C. W. Beebe 1947 R. A. Forrest 1948 A. H. Frey 1950 Ivan H. Gaylord 1951 LutherE.Wood 1952 N. L. Caldwell 1958 Bert Rodgers 1959 W. T. Rieppel 1961 S. E. (Bob) Weber 1964 W. L. Moorhead 1965 J. W. Pacsmag 1968 C. A. Baldwin 1969 R. A. Lawson (demit) 1962 P. J. Murphy (aff) 1970 F. W. R. Brown 1971 Eric Everett (aff) 1972 G. E. Hughes 1974 J. P. Harbaugh

187 MANITO #57 On April 4, 19834, at Spokane, a constitutional number of qualified companions presented a petition, praying for a Dispensation to permit them to form a Chapter at Spokane, Spokane County, Washington, under the name of Manito Chapter U.D. Said petition being in due and regular form and properly recommended by Spokane Chapter No. 2, the Grand High Priest, Albert Ryan, issued the dispensation. There were more Masons in proportion to population in Spokane than most any other part of the state, with only one chapter, and possibly fewer of them Royal Arch Masons. However, Manito Chapter, which had 16 charter members, did not thrive as it was expected to and only reached a high of 31 during its nine years of existence. It was with a great deal of regret that the Grand High Priest, Otto Warn, announced that on April 8, 1943, the Manito Chapter No. 57 ceased to exist. He stated, "This, our newest chapter, has been struggling desperately for existence for several years past, and every effort possible has been made to bring it through its critical stage, without avail. The members, many of whom have entered the service of our country or defense work, have failed to respond." The members in good standing were issued demits. The charter, all records, and what little equipment they had were turned over to the Grand High Priest.

IVANHOE #58 A constitutional number of Royal Arch Masons, including Companions Eugene A. Davis and Dr. G. E. Richetts, met for the purpose of forming a new Royal Arch Chapter and thereafter a petition was directed to the Grand High Priest, Cassius M. Crowe, shortly after the 60th Annual Convocation. All the requirements of the code having been complied with, a Dispensation was granted to 12 companions at Bothell, Washington, to open and hold a regular chapter there, to be known as Ivanhoe Chapter U.D., with Roy H. Smith, acting as High Priest. The Charter for the new Chapter was granted on June 20, 1945. On August 6, 1945, the Grand High Priest, Shadrack Evans, in the company of several Grand Officers, journeyed to Bothell for the purpose of constituting and dedicating Ivanhoe Chapter No. 58, after which he installed their officers, which included Eugene A. Davis, the first elect High Priest. The membership climbed rapidly, with affiliations, dual members, and exaltations. There were 93 on the rolls on December 31 of the year of their constitution. From that point the total went upward to the all-time high of 185 in 1949. After that, due to demits, deaths, and NPD's, the number has slowly decreased. Over the course of years three of their Companions have served the Grand Chapter, Very Excellent Companions Hollie E. Atterberry and Randall H. Gunnels as Deputies of the Grand High Priest, and R Excellent Companion Eugene A. Davis as Grand Treasurer until that office was discontinued in 1965. In 1966 they had 107 members on the rolls. Ivanhoe Chapter #58 merged into Overlake #67 (Date Uncertain)

ANACORTES #59 On November 20, 1947, a meeting was called to order by Most Excellent Companion Virgil E. Davin, Grand High Priest, in the Masonic Temple in Anacortes. He announced that the meeting was called for the purpose of initiating a Chapter of Royal arch Masons. Twenty-seven Royal Arch Masons had presented a petition praying to be congregated into a regular Chapter of Royal Arch Masons. The petition was properly recommended by Mount Vernon Chapter No. 17. Most Excellent Companion Davin then authorized and empowered Excellent Companion David R. Gilkey to act as High Priest, Excellent Companion Lynn P. Vane as King, and Companion Arthur D. Pollom as Scribe of a Chapter to be known as Anacortes Chapter U.D. Seven convocations were held while the Chapter was under Dispensation. A total of 18 new candidates were exalted during this period. In order to have sufficient funds on hand to operate a chapter and to buy the necessary supplies, 18 of the original members advanced a total amount of $725 to the chapter. These advances were later paid back by the chapter. On June 5, 1948, Most Excellent Companion Harry J. Ahlers, Grand High Priest, and his officers opened the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Washington in the Anacortes Masonic Temple for the purpose of constituting Anacortes Chapter No. 59 and installing its officers. The new charter had been granted by the Grand Chapter of Washington at its sessions in Bellingham on May 14, 1948. The convocation was called to refreshment and the officers of Anacortes Chapter were installed with Excellent Companion David R. Gilkey as High Priest. Excellent Companion Orville Sheik, High Priest of Mount Vernon Chapter No. 17, presented to Anacortes Chapter a set of new banners on behalf of his chapter. Excellent Companion Gilkey thanked the companions of Mount Vernon Chapter for their beautiful and useful gift. A dinner had been served in the banquet room prior to the convocation, with 124 Masons and ladies in attendance.

188 The Chapter grew and prospered during the first 10 years of its existence with the membership increasing steadily to a high of 78 in 1957. They worked very closely with Mount Vernon Chapter No. 17 and Bellingham Bay Chapter No. 12 in the conferral of degrees. They spread the work out so that Anacortes would generally confer the Mark Master and Past Master Degrees; Bellingham Bay, the Most Excellent Master Degree; and Mount Vernon, the Royal Arch Degree. At a special Convocation held at Anacortes on March 7, 1951, University Chapter No. 32 conferred the Royal Arch Degree on five candidates. A special Convocation was held by Anacortes Chapter at the Coupeville Masonic Temple on June 2, 1951, to confer the Mark Master and Past Master Degrees. Excellent Companion David R. Gilkey was voted a Life Membership by the companions of Anacortes Chapter on September 24, 1951, in recognition and appreciation for his long-time devotion to Masonry. He was not only active in the Royal Arch, but was a Past Master and Secretary for many years of Fidalgo Lodge No. 77, F&AM. He also served as Deputy in District No. 13 in 1959 and 1960. Beginning November 1, 1952 and continuing for nine years through 1960, the officers of Anacortes Chapter were installed at Open Installations by the officers of Rainier Chapter No. 52, with a dinner preceding each installation. They were always accompanied by an enthusiastic group of companions and ladies, traveling by chartered bus. Although the Anacortes companions appreciated the brotherly love and affection displayed by Rainier Chapter in doing this work each year, the fortunes of the chapter began declining in the late 1950's. They were unable to elect officers at the stated convocation in October 1961, due to a lack of a quorum. Although the officers were elected at a special convocation on November 13, by dispensation of the Grand High Priest, there was no time to make plans and to invite the companions of Rainier Chapter to install before the stated convocation in November. Many discussions were held at subsequent convocations about reestablishing this custom, but nothing materialized. There was a feeling that it wouldn't be fair to Rainier Chapter if Anacortes Chapter couldn't get a decent turnout and have most of the officers to be installed show up. Due to a severe loss of membership, 14 in 1959 alone, and poor attendance at the Convocations, there were discussions on possibly consolidating with Mount Vernon Chapter No. 17. The idea of those in favor of it seemed to be that this move would create one strong chapter instead of having two that were just barely getting by. Others felt that Mount Vernon Chapter was in no better shape, and that very few of the Anacortes companions would attend at Mount Vernon. On October 24, 1960, a motion was made and carried to make preliminary steps toward consolidation. After more discussion and the approval of Mount Vernon Chapter, the matter came to a vote on February 27, 1961. The late Most Excellent Companion Ed Young, then Grand King, made a special trip to Anacortes to try to influence the companions against making the move. He said that many other chapters and lodges were having the same kind of problem. Paper ballots were then distributed to 14 members, and the motion to consolidate with Mount Vernon Chapter No. 17 was defeated by a vote of 9 to 5. Right Excellent Companion Young thanked the companions for saving the chapter. Very Excellent Companion Leo Greenwood, Deputy of District No. 13, said that he was happy with the vote. The membership continued to decline, reaching a low of 34 in 1970. Since that time it has grown to 52 at the close of 1980. With the addition of some enthusiastic new members and the continued support of a few oldtimers, the future of the chapter looks more optimistic. In celebration of the 25th anniversary of Anacortes Chapter, a special convocation was held on May 14, 1973. A dinner was served in the banquet room prior to the convocation, with approximately 150 in attendance. Letters had been sent to all of the Worshipful Masters in the District inviting them and their brethren and ladies to join in the celebration. The charter members of Anacortes Chapter were honored, with 6 of the 10 on hand. Also honored were three children and their families, who had been sponsored for assistance from the Royal Arch Masons Children's Heart Foundation through Bellingham Bay Chapter No. 12. Anacortes Chapter had not sponsored any children up to that time. Since November 1966 Anacortes Chapter has been assigned to investigate six children whose families had requested assistance from the Royal Arch Masons Children's Heart Foundation. Five of the children required no assistance from the foundation. On May 27, 1974, a motion was made and approved to sponsor Joshua Carl Munson, age 2, son of Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Munson of Bay View, Washington. That has turned out to be the proudest moment in the history of Anacortes Chapter. On October 28, 1974, he was the guest of honor for a birthday party; his third birthday was on October 23. Since that time it has been an annual event to celebrate each birthday on the evening of the stated convocation in October. On the occasions of his seventh birthday, October 23, 1978, Very Excellent Companion Don McCune, President of the Royal Arch Masons Children's Heart Foundation, presented Joshua with a Life Membership in the foundation in behalf of Anacortes Chapter. Most Excellent Companion Ted R. Fonis, then Grand High Priest, presented Joshua with an official Seattle Seahawks football, which had been autographed by all members of the team. Joshua was honored again on October 26, 1981, in celebration of his tenth birthday. Today he is a healthy young fellow with a great personality. He and his family seem to enjoy these get-togethers as much as the companions and their wives enjoy having them here.

189 At the present time (1984) there are only two of the original Charter members remaining, and the only one who has been active throughout the years is Excellent Companion Ali M. Eriks. He served as High Priest in 1964-65. He is presently Chaplain and has served in almost every other office. He still continues to set up the chapter before every convocation, which he has done for a number of years. He is a Past Master of Fidalgo Lodge No. 77 F&AM. Another old timer who has continued to serve faithfully is Very Excellent Companion J. Clarence Hetzel. Although not a charter member, he was exalted six months later. He was High Priest in 1955-56, and served as Deputy in District No. 13 in 1969-70 and 1970-71. He was Secretary for several years until he reluctantly had to give it up because his work schedule made it impossible to attend every convocation. He is presently Treasurer and has served in almost every other office in the chapter. On November 22, 1971, he presented the chapter with a Royal Arch Bible, Square, and Compasses, and a beautiful scarlet altar cloth to display them on. With the determination and steadfastness shown by these two companions, along with a few others, and the enthusiasm shown by those companions who are guiding the destinies of the chapter at the present time, Anacortes Chapter No. 59 is facing the 1980's with full confidence in a bright future.

Past High Priests: David R. Gilkey, Lynn P. Vane, Arthur D. Pollom, Jesse R. Lewis, Jess M. Wynn, Fred F. Ellison, Gordon L. McLachlan, Leslie R. Polis, J. Clarence Hetzel, Leonard D. Antsen, Gordon G. Jorgensen, Henry E. Harris, Clarence E. Harker, Andrew Holm, Ali M. Eriks, Edwin J. Eriks, Ralph C. Horner, Rollin B. Hawes, Darrell E. Franks, James R. Hartsfield, William Y. Smith, Fred L. Roberts, Danny L. Beatty, Woodrow W. Cecil, Clarence G. Dillard, Jr., Walter R. Sewell, Victor C. Slough, Ernest E. Brooks, Roy W. Evans (serving until November 23, 1981. Honorary Past High Priest: James A. Hinchliffe Past District Deputies: Lynn P. Vane, David R. Gilkey, Gordon L. McLachlan, J. Clarence Hetzel, James R. Hartsfield, Edwin J. Eriks, Danny L. Beatty, Victor C. Slough (present)

190 EC Ali Ericks VEC J. Clarence Hetzel

Stated Convocation October 26, 1951 Birthday Party for Joshua Munson October 26, 1981 Mr. & Mrs. Herbert Munson and 4 children VEC Don McCune, President RAMCHF VEC Leroy Newcomer (Sec/Treas RAMCHF)

191 History of Anacortes Chapter No. 59 Volume II 1984 – 2010

This is a continuation of the history of Anacortes Chapter No. 59 as written in “The Washington Keystone: 1884 – 1984.” Throughout the early 80’s our membership continued to grow form the low point in the 60’s. This could be attributed to our annual fish dinner, which was initiated in 1979 and continued until 1995 when it was cancelled due to lack of help, declining attendance and the rising cost of fish. The proceeds from these dinners were donated to the Royal Arch Masons Children’s Heart Foundation (RAMCHF). These dinners were open to the public and as a result generated some interest in Free Masonry and the RAMCHF. We often had the honor of a visit from the Grand High Priest and other Grand Officers along with some of our sponsored juvenile heart patients and their families. Throughout the 80’s and early 90’s we were blessed with the opportunity to sponsor at least one heart patient a year. At our October potluck dinners we had the honor of celebrating the birthday of Joshua Munson, one of earliest heart patients. The last birthday celebrated was his 14th in October 1985; he still continued to receive help from the RAMCHF for recurring problems into the 90’s. In August 1992 we held a reception to honor those youth that had received assistance from the RAMCHF under our auspices. Most of them attended and were presented with a certificate, with had their picture when they first started in the program, and a medallion honoring the occasion. Beginning in 1983 and for every year after that until 2002 we received a Certificate of Merit from the RAMCHF for our contributions to the foundation. These were made possible in part by a friend of VEC Ed Eriks who desired to remain anonymous. In 1995 Brother Peter Rasmussen of Fidalgo Lodge #77 made his third donation of $5,000 to the foundation and the Chapter purchased a Life membership in his name as appreciation. Over a four-year period from 1980-1983, EC’s Dillard, Slough, Sewell and Evans raised $1,218.00 for the RAMCHF by catering dinners for the Shrine Club and other organizations. In 1995, a group of wives, led by Mary Hartsfield, knitted a bed spread and auctioned it off raising $382.00 for the RAMCHF. In November 1983 VEC Victor Slough was appointed to head a committee to build and/or acquire the paraphernalia required to confer the MEM degree. Previous to this time Anacortes Chapter had to make use of the facilities at Bellingham Bay No. 12 or other chapters to confer the MEM degree. These efforts came to fruition on October 22, 1984 when we conferred our first MEM degree on home turf and we have become known for the quality of our work in this degree. Over the years we have worked closely with Bellingham Bay No. 12 in conferring the degrees. Generally Bellingham Bay confers the MM and PM degrees and we confer the MEM and RA; although each Chapter is capable of conferring all four degrees with some assistance from the other. We have been active in participating in degree work at the Royal Arch Park and other degree festivals as follows: July 1987 we conferred the second section of the Most Excellent Master degree at the Royal Arch Park; December 1989 we conferred the Royal Arch degree at a festival in Edmonds; in August 1993 we conferred the Royal Arch degree at the Potentate’s Class; in February 2002 we hosted a degree festival at Anacortes and on July 2008 we opened on the Past Master degree to confer the Mark Master and Past Master degrees at the Royal Arch Picnic.

In 1998 we celebrated our fiftieth birthday as a chapter by having a medal struck.

MEC Louis Bartrand, in September 2001 tasked a committee consisting of Companion Donald McCabe, EC Gerald Myers and VEC Ward Koeberle to rewrite the Grand Code. This project was completed and returned to the GHP in November and subsequently adopted at the Grand Chapter session in 2002. Many of our Companions have served the Chapter with distinction but also the Grand Lodge, Grand and General Grand York Rite Bodies. In no particular order: VEC Ed Ericks – High priest 1966; District Deputy 75-77, Secretary 30+ years, Secretary/Treasurer Emeritus by MEC Harry Warnick in 1998. EC Roy Evans – High Priest 1981; received the Daniel Carter Beard Masonic Scouter Award in 2003.

192 VEC E. Richard Raikula – High Priest 1986; District Deputy 93-95, awarded a Gold Honor Award from the York Rite Sovereign College in 2002. MEC Louis Bartrand – Affiliated 1993 from Heidelberg #4 in Germany; High Priest 1994, 1998; District Deputy 97-99, Grand High Priest 2001-2002, Grand Secretary 2002-2008; Ambassador to Washington from the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons International (GGCRAMI) 2003-2006; Grand Illustrious Master of Grand Council R&SM of WA 2005-2006, Deputy General Grand High Priest Northwest Region of GGCRAMI 2006-2009; General Grand Scribe of GGCRAMI 2008- 2011; General Grand King of GGCRAMI 2011-2014. REC Charles Sipes – Affiliated from Onslow Chapter #94 North Carolina 1993; High Priest 1995, Right Eminent Grand Commander of Knights Templar of Utah 2010-2011. VEC J. Rex Hartsfield – High Priest 1970; District Deputy 71-73; Grand Illustrious Master of the Grand Council R&SM of WA 1999-2000; Ambassador to Washington from the General Grand Council of Cryptic Masons International 2000-2003. VEC Lloyd Linn – High Priest 1987, 1988, 2003; District Deputy 89-91; Right Eminent Grand Commander of Knights Templar of Washington 1999-2000. VEC Victor Slough – High Priest 1979, 1989 and 1990; District Deputy 81-83; Grand Illustrious Master of the Grand Council R&SM of Washington 1993-1994. Companion Wayne I. Smith – Exalted October 25, 1999; Grand Master of Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of WA 2007- 2008. MEC Lynn Bailey – High Priest 2002, 2006; District Deputy 03-05; Grand High Priest of Grand Chapter RAM of Washington 2008-2009. MEC R. Dale Fluaitt – High Priest 2004; Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter RAM of Washington 2005-2006, Grand Illustrious Master of the Grand Council R&SM of Washington 2010-2011 and Grand Organist of all three York Rite bodies. Companion Carl Smith – Exalted April 23, 2001; Grand Master of Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Washington. Companion John McNab – Exalted June 24, 1996; Grand Master of Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Washington 2003- 2004. EC Robert Ellis – High Priest 1991 and Grand Organist for all three Grand York Rite bodies and Grand Lodge. VEC Warren Lee – High Priest 2005; District Deputy 07-09; Right Eminent Grand Commander of Grand Commandery Knights Templar of Washington 2010-2011. I realize that there are many names missing from the above list but there is not room to mention all those companions that have served in the many appointed offices in the Masonic and Concordant bodies. In 2002 we were lucky in that we received a new set of robes and VEC Ward Koeberle made a set of bags in which to store them. Companion Lee Schuirman offered his place on Big Lake for an annual picnic in 2007 and we have been having a picnic each year since. In 2009 we received a Certificate from the Royal Arch Research Assistance for our 100% participation in their philanthropy and in October 2009 we collected $106.00 for the York Rite Memorial at Tahoma National Cemetery Anacortes Chapter continues to be a strong supporter of the Grand Chapter as evidenced by the many strong leaders we have provided and the outstanding ritual work that we perform. Over the last decade we have been able to maintain out membership on an even keel by bringing in at least four new companions every year. We look forward to continuing our good work and assisting our companions in erecting storng spiritual buildings.

Anacortes Chapter #59 Membership 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 1948 1953 1958 1963 1968 1973 1978 1983 1988 1993 1998 2003 2007

193 COLUMBIA GORGE #60 On January 23, 1948, Most Excellent Companion Virgil E. Davin, Grand High Priest, granted a Dispensation to 33 qualified Royal Arch Masons to form and open a Chapter in Stevenson, Washington, to be known as Columbia Gorge Chapter U.D. The Grand Chapter was opened and the Grand High Priest formally presented the Dispensation to the above-mentioned companions. The original date of this Dispensation was December 30, 1947. Joe A. Gaines was appointed High Priest. Their charter was granted on May 14, 1948. The membership climbed steadily after constitution to an all-time of 83 during the years 1956-57. The chapter had voted to dissolve and surrender their charter December 31, 1958. They, however, rescinded this decision and on Feb- ruary 2, 1959, the Grand High Priest Duke T. Fife and the Grand Secretary Walter H. Steffey attended a meeting with them and reviewed their problems. After much discussions, Very Excellent Companion Norman Bargabus, Deputy District No. 1, volunteered to again serve as High Priest, provided they could have their charter moved to White Salmon. This was agreeable and on February 29, 1959, some 35 Grand Officers and other Companions reported, "It was 'one of the finest installation ceremonies' it has been my good fortune to witness." Two of their companions have served the Grand Chapter: Norman Bargabus, GPS, and Lewis DeWalt as District Deputy. They hold an Annual Crab Feed which is attended by companions from a great distance. Also, the chapter is installed each year by our Past Grand High Priests. In 1966 there were 63 members.

FELLOWSHIP #61 Most Excellent Companion Harry J. Ahlers granted a Dispensation to organize Fellowship Chapter U.D. in July 1948. Right Excellent Companion Guy Rose, Deputy Grand High Priest, who lived in Snohomish, only 12 miles from Alderwood Manor, was helpful with advice and encouragement. Fellowship Chapter was granted a Charter at the Grand Sessions on May 19, 1949. The officers listed were Pearl R. Brewer, High Priest; Harold G. Anderson, King; Gaylord A. Holbrook, Scribe; and Carl E. Sandberg, Secretary.

Excellent Companion Brewer set the style and tone of the chapter, advocating working with the Blue Lodge and their officers. He was a past Master of Robert Burns Lodge, who owns the temple where we meet. He later became Deputy of the Grand Master in District No. 8 and served for two years. He was highly respected and had a great influence with Masons around the district, so the chapter gained in membership from the first. Several times we have received the certificate for 10 percent increase in membership. On May 24, 1962, Most Excellent Companion Ben Wood announced that Excellent Companion Brewer had been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. Members of this Chapter have gained recognition in the Grand Chapter, the most notable being Most Excellent Companion Obert C. Skodge, Grand High Priest, 1967-68. In 1963, Most Excellent Companion Robert Waterson appointed him Deputy in District No. 8 and he served for two years. The first member of this Chapter to be given a Grand appointment was Excellent Companion Albion D. Albright. He was appointed Grand Master of the Second Veil in 1958 by Most Excellent Companion Duke Fife. Then in 1961, Most Excellent Companion Ben Wood appointed him Deputy in District No. 8 and he served for two years. He is also a Grand Representative to the Grand Chapter of South Carolina. The following Very Excellent Companions have served as Deputies in District No. 8: Arthur Beam, Denis Lane, and Benjamin Joyce. Excellent Companion Gordon L. Shirey will be appointed Deputy in District No. 8 for 1981-82. The Chapter takes pride in being able to confer all the Degrees with members of this Chapter in the stations. Also they are proud of supporting the Royal Arch Masons Children's Heart Foundation from its inception and every year hold a "Mother's Day Breakfast" and the profits from it help support the foundation and the chapter. This gives many members work to do and have fun while doing it. With Shirey as the "sparkplug" and with the help of the Past High Priests and members, the membership reached 107 in 1979 (one short of gaining 10 percent). We are sound financially, too. But in 1970, we had seven deaths so the membership now stands at 102.

194 Robert Burns Lodge has fraternal relations and visitations with Dunbar Lodge in Vancouver, B.C., and many of their members are members of Mt. Horeb Chapter No. 32 in Vancouver, so our chapter has for many years had visitations with Mt. Horeb Chapter. Some of their members are dual members in our chapter and vice versa. One of those dual members is Most Excellent Companion Evan Carl, a past First Principle of the Grand Chapter of British Columbia. One program we have had for several years is subscribing to the Royal Arch Mason Magazine for every member. This helps the Secretary keep the chapter mailing list up to date and is very educational for all, especially the new members. Another program we have carried on for years is "Master Mason's Night." Our present High Priest, Excellent Companion William Heath, admits that he became interested because of attending "Master Mason's Night." The following are Charter Members still living: Harold Anderson, Gaylord Holbrook, Carl Sandberg, Ernest Constans, Alven Langland, Roley Moore, Clifford Sunde, John Beam, and Stewart King. Bert Shipley is still living and was a charter member but has moved to Arizona and took a demit. The ladies of Fellowship Chapter contribute a great amount of help and support. Not only do they furnish delicious potluck dinners at the meetings, but they have raised money for the Royal Arch Masons Children's Heart Foundation; they bought the officers' aprons, and they contributed about half for the officers' collars. Fellowship Chapter is composed of hard-working Masons who mix fun and pleasure with their work and have a great spirit of the Fraternity. Past High Priests: 1949, Pearl R. Brewer*; 1950, Harold 0. Anderson; 1951, Gaylord Holbrook; 1952, Jack Chandler*; 1953, Karl Anderson*; 1954, Clifford R. Sunde, Sr.; 1955, A. Arthur Beam*; 1956, Alvin B. Langland; 1957, Albion D. Albright; 1958, Harry H. Hill*; 1959, Roley F. Moore; 1960, William K. Wright; 1961, L. Duane Holte; 1962, Obert C. Skodje*; 1963, Stanley 0. Syltebo; 1964, Waite E. Burfitt; 1965, Howard A. Sandhop*; 1966, Cloyse M. Clayton; 1967, James T. Conner*; 1968, Denis F. Lane; 1969, Thomas W. Collins; 1970, Altert B. Loper; 1971, Walter L. Harrison; 1972, William M. Martin; 1973, Benjamin W. Joyce; 1974, James H. Larson; 1975, Wil- liam H. Kay; 1976, Walter C. Stidham; 1977, Frank F. Backman; 1978, George H. Barnes; 1979, Gordon L. Shirey; 1980, Norman A. Watts; and 1981, William C. Heath Honorary Past High Priests: Keith C. Hayes*, George Shuman*, and Most Excellent Companion Lloyd E. Reeder, Past Grand High Priest. (* denotes deceased 1984). History of Fellowship Chapter No. 61 Volume II 1984 – 2010 Fellowship Chapter No. 61 Royal Arch Masons of Washington P.O. Box 2297 Lynnwood WA 98036-2297

E.C. Richard Morgan, High Priest C. Ronald Thompson, Secretary 425-481-8551 425-774-4888

In the summer of 2001 Fellowship Chapter along with Robert Burns Lodge moved from the Robert Burns Masonic Temple in Alderwood Manor to a temporary warehouse structure in Lynnwood while plans for a more permanent facility could be obtained. The management of this facility had further use for our space and the lodge was ask to vacate. As a result of Robert Burns Lodge deciding to move to a more permanent location at the Everett Masonic Center. Fellowship Chapter chose to remain in the south county and moved to Bothell. Following investigating committee reports, numerous discussions and announcements and a final vote, in January 2005 Fellowship

195 Chapter relocated and held their first convocation at the Ashler Masonic Center in Bothell. This arrangement has worked out very well for both Fellowship Chapter and Ashler Masonic Center. We are very pleased to be at this facility. Fellowship Chapter continued to have a strong and active involvement in the RAM Children’s Heart Foundation and a one point in the early 2000’s had no less than twelve children under our sponsorship. Each year until 2008 Fellowship had put on an outstanding RAMCHF Christmas Party for all the kids and their families. This included our very own Santa, gifts for the kids and their siblings and a very kids-centric dinner. All of our kids have since out grown our program and we are currently in search of more kids to help. Another outstanding and on-going tradition at Fellowship is the annual Mother’s Day Breakfast which continues to be a great fund-raiser and always draws a big crowd of friendly and hungry families? In recent years a novel idea has developed with our High Priest and Grand Council voluntarily and with full approval of the Chapter, serving for two years. This appears to improve the work and allows the Grand Council to better enjoy their positions while becoming more proficient in our Chapter work. Fellowship has continued to attach and retain a steady albeit small flow of new companions although our numbers do continue to decline as our senior members are being called away much faster than we’d hope. Even so over 50% of our Companions are Life Members and over 80 % Are Permanent Contributing Members of the RAMCHF. In early 2009 due to dwindling membership participation our neighboring Chapter, Overlake Chapter #67 amalgamated with Fellowship. We all were disappointed and saddened by the demise of Overlake Chapter and they were welcomed with a unanimous vote of approval. This occurrence was considered interesting and a return home by numerous senior Companions as many years before were members of Ivanhoe Chapter and had left Ashler Masonic Center and amalgamated with Overlake Chapter in Kirkland. The Union between Fellowship Chapter and Overlake Chapter was extremely good for both Chapters by bring many very active members with fresh ideas, experience and knowledge. Many of the Companions visited Fellowship on a regular basis and were already thought of as members of our Chapter. In researching the membership I found the following that the lowest amount of Companions to be 43 and the highest 99 Companions for the years 1982 to 2011. The following is a listing by year of the High Priests and Secretaries from 1982 until present for Fellowship Chapter #67. and for Overlake Chapter. The * denotes this High Priest has passed away. HIGH PRIESTS and SECRETARIES OF FELLOWSHIP CHAPTER No. 61

Year High Priest Secretary Year High Priest Secretary

1982A.AdamBremner* ? 1998 Don E. Heins* Dennis Olivarez 1983 Robert G. Denman ? 1999 Howard J. Wise Norman Watts 1984 Alvin Hearn* ? 2000 Dennis Olivarez Norman Watts 1985 Gordon (Hoss) Green* Robert Denman 2001 William Harker,Sr. Norman Watts 1986 Paul Garlock Robert Denman 2002 William Harker,Sr James Moran 1987 William Johnson Norman Watts 2003 William R. Norton* James Moran 1988 William R. Norton* Norman Watts 2004 Vincent DiGiulio James Moran 1989 Robert J. Wallinger Norman Watts 2005 Vincent DiGiulio James Moran 1990 Wayne L. Roberts Norman Watts 2006 James A. Moran William Harker 1991 Robert E. McCasland Norman Watts 2007 Robert Wallinger William Harker 1992 Paul W. Elliott Norman Watts 2008 Ian Hyde James Moran 1993 Robert L. Gates Norman Watts 2009 Ian Hyde James Moran 1994 Jerry Kunkle Norman Watts 2010 Ian Hyde James Moran 1995 Forrest “Dean” Forgey* Norman Watts 2011 Vincent DiGiulio Ronald Thompson 1996 Don E. Heins* Norman Watts 2012 Richard L. Morgan Ronald Thompson 1997 Glenn E. Wilson Forrest Forgey*

196 LAKESIDE #62 The Grand High Priest, Guy S. Rose, in company of Most Excellent Walter H. Steffey, Right Excellent Donald C. Rogers, Very Excellent Fosberg, and Don R. Steele, drove to Medical Lake, where a chapter was opened by Excellent Companion Cheyney. Lakeside Chapter U.D. was then instituted. It was started with 21 newly obligated members and 20 dual members. Their Charter was granted on May 21, 1951, at the 67th Annual Convocation held at Walla Walla. Their first election was held on December 20, 1951; George Palmer was then elected their first High Priest. On December 29, 1951, Grand High Priest Donald Rogers opened the Grand Chapter at Medical Lake for the purpose of constituting and dedicating Lakeside Chapter No. 62. The Grand High Priest, assisted by seven Grand Officers, constituted and dedicated the new Chapter, after which he installed the new corps of officers. The Chapter has received three certificates for having a net increase of members in number equal to 10 percent of their membership. Of this amount, a lot have been lost, and after ten years the total was about the same as the original number. A comeback was started but never reached the level of the all-time high of 41 in 1956. In 1966 their membership was 31.

RICHLAND #63 A meeting of Royal Arch Masons was called to order by Most Excellent Companion Audley F. Mahafey, Grand High Priest, for the purpose of instituting a new chapter in Richland, Washington, to be known as Richland Chapter U.D. A chapter was then instituted in due form by the Grand High Priest, assisted by Most Excellent Companions Walter H. Steffey and Donald Rogers. The petition was read by the Grand Secretary and as their names were called, the signers of the petition formed in a group across the hail in the east, after which the names of the High Priest (Richmond H. Sargent) and the other officers selected to serve the chapter were called and then escorted to their respective stations, where they were in turn given the Charge of Institution. The Grand High Priest then declared Richland Chapter U.D. duly instituted and empowered to open and conduct regular business of a Royal Arch Chapter. The chapter was then opened in due form at 8:30 p.m. by its regular officers. Most Excellent Audley F. Mahaffey congratulated them on being instituted, wished them the best of luck and complimented Pasco Chapter No. 33 for sponsoring the new chapter. Richland Chapter No. 63 was granted their charter on May 21, 1954. On May 25, 1954, the Grand High Priest, Arthur Z. Lassila, opened the Grand Chapter there for the specific purpose of constituting and dedicating the new Chapter and installing its new officers, which he ably performed, assisted by nine Grand Officers. Their first elected High Priest was Companion John G. Myers in 1955. At the time they received their charter construction was at a peak in the area and as a result, many of their members were engaged in the industry. So the membership is spread in a wide geographical area through the country because of those companions who were transferred to other places in following construction work. Richland The Chapter works very closely with Pasco Chapter No. 33 and at present has seven dual members. The Chapter is quite proud of their members who had served the Grand Chapter: Companions Arthur Z. Lassila, Frank C. Fisher, Robert P. Monroe, and Paul N. Stewart. At the close of the year 1965, they had a total membership of 80 and in 1966 had added four new members.

EDMONDS #64 A Special Convocation of the Grand Chapter was held on April 17, 1956, in the Masonic Temple in Edmonds, Washing- ton, for the purpose of instituting Edmonds Chapter U.D. The Dispensation was issued by Most Excellent Companion Ceil M. Ward, Grand High Priest. Excellent Companion Edward Young, Past High Priest of Everett Chapter No. 24, was designed High Priest. The chapter was jointly sponsored by Everett and Fellowship Chapters. During the period of April 20 to May 15, the 20 Companions who had requested the dispensation to form the new chapter conferred all the degrees on a class of 30 candidates. On June 29, the Grand Chapter was again called in Special Convocation for the purpose of constituting and consecrating Edmonds Chapter No. 64, which was ably accomplished by Most Excellent Companion F. Allan Lane, assisted by Right Excellent Companions Kenneth N. Carmody and Duke T. Fife. Excellent Companion Edward Young was then installed as their first High Priest. Most Excellent Companion Edward Young served as Deputy to District No. 8 for the years 1958-59. He served the several elective offices of the Grand Chapter and as Grand High Priest in 1962-63. In 1966 the membership stood at 76.

197 The First Heart Patient Sponsored by Edmonds #64 - May 1963

MEC JAMES G. McVAY - GRAND HIGH PRIEST 1986-1987 September 24, 1986 to Edmonds Chapter No. 64. To receive and ballot on petitions at a Special Convocation preceding the conferral of the four degrees of the Royal Arch on October 11, 1986.

MEC DONALD D. McCUNE - GRAND HIGH PRIEST 1987-1988 BY-LAWS APPROVED 1-22-88: Edmonds #64 — To combine the office of Secretary/Treasurer.

MEC WILLIAM E. NELSON - GRAND HIGH PRIEST 1990-1991 BY-LAWS APPROVED July 1, 1990 - Spokane Chapter No.2: Changed day of Stated Meeting from first Friday to Second Tuesday, except July and August. Time of Meeting to be 7:30 PM. (sec. 333) December 20, 1990 - Edmonds Chapter No.64: Codified By-Laws and amended to increase. fees for degrees. (sec.58/333)

MEC WILLIAM E. NELSON - GRAND HIGH PRIEST 1990-1991 SPECIAL DISPENSATIONS GRANTED July 21, 1990 - Edmonds No. 64: To sponsor cooperative four degree meet with Anacortes No.59, Fellowship No.61, Overlake No.67 (sec.25.4/25.5). November 1, 1990 Rainier No.52: To confer Most Excellent and Royal Arch Degrees known as the William Snyder Memorial Degrees at a cooperative meeting with Edmonds No.64 at Edmonds Masonic Temple (sec.25.4/194).

MEC ALBERT W. SHAW - GRAND HIGH PRIEST 1992-1993 SPECIAL DISPENSATIONS GRANTED Nov. 17, 1992 Edmonds Chapter No. 64 to elect Officers on November 17, 1992 due to failure to elect as per By-Laws in October. (Sect 108)

MEC THURSTON HAYDEN “DICK” DICKASON - GRAND HIGH PRIEST 1993-1994 BY-LAWS APPROVED February 28, 1994 Edmonds Chapter No. 64. Stated convocations changed from the third Tuesday to the third Thursday of each month, and if a Grand York Rite Body shall be in session on the Third Thursday in May, the May convocation shall be held on the Fourth Wednesday.

MEC DONALD J. BECK - GRAND HIGH PRIEST 2004-2005 OFFICIAL ACTIONS November 18, 2004 Installed the 2005 Officers of Snohomish County No. 15 in Edmonds MC.

MEC LARRY MERLE BLY - GRAND HIGH PRIEST 1994-1995 On Jan. 28, 1995 approved the By-Laws of Snohomish County Chapter No. 15 whereby Edmonds #64 joined Everett #24 and Snohomish #15 to comprise the new chapter.

198 WASHINGTON #65 A petition for a Dispensation for the formation of a new chapter of Royal Arch Masons was issued on December 8, 1956, by the Grand High Priest, F. Allan Lane, to a group of enthusiastic Companions, the new chapter to be situated in a strategic location south of the City of Tacoma. The progress of the new Chapter has more than justified the granting of the Dispensation. Under the leadership of the acting High Priest, Don W. Snyder, a strong, virile corps of officers and members had been created, and the Grand High Priest predicted a bright future. The fine ritualistic work and steady growth in membership justified the faith of the original signers of the Petition for Dispensation, one of whom deserves special mention: Most Excellent Companion Carl L. Swanson. On the same day the Grand High Priest also granted a dispensation to Washington Chapter U.D. to hold its meetings on the ground floor of a building occupied by Horace W. Tyler Lodge No. 290, F&AM, there being no other available place and it being safe and securely guarded. On the evening of June 14, 1957, Washington Chapter No. 65 was duly constituted by the Grand High Priest Kenneth N. Carmody, assisted by several of the Grand Officers. Their first High Priest was M. Arthur Martinsen. Their membership climbed steadily after constitution to the all-time high of 69 in 1962-63. In 1966 they had 69 members. This chapter affiliated with Tacoma No. 4.

TRIPLE TAU #66 On September 27, 1957 dispensation was granted by MEC Kenneth N. Carmody (GHP 1957-1958) to Companion Homer Lockett and twelve other Companions to open a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons to operate U.D. by the name of Triple Tau, until approved for a Charter is granted by the Grand Chapter. He further stated that, "It was his pleasure, with the assistance of 27 of the Grand Officers to institute Triple Tau Chapter U.D." A wonderful dinner preceded the meeting. The acting officers did an excellent job of opening their Chapter. At this function along with the Grand High Priest were 27 Grand Chapter Officers plus a special visitation from Most Excellent Companion Arthur Hamilton, who was a member of Triple Tau Chapter of B.C. He gave a very fine address and presented a gift of money to the new chapter to assist them in getting started. It was the special friendship for the most part between M.E.C. Hamilton and Companion Lockett that the name of “Triple Tau” was chosen as the chapter name. On May 22, 1958 at the 74th Annual Convocation of the Grand Chapter, the committee on Chapters U.D. recommended that a resolution be submitted to grant a Charter to Triple Tau Chapter U.D. at Burien, Washington and that its number be No. 66. The resolution was adopted. On June 28, 1958, MEGHP (1958-1959) Duke T. Fife with 19 Grand Chapter Officers and 7 Past Grand High Priests opened a special convocation, in the Burien Masonic Temple, for the purpose of constituting and consecrating Triple Tau Chapter No. 66, Royal Arch Masons. The new chapter was then duly constituted in ample form by the Grand High Priest assisted by the Grand Chapter Officers present. Several distinguished companions from Triple Tau Chapter No. 21 of B.C., including Most Excellent Companion Hamilton, Past Grand First Principal, were present and brought greetings and best wishes. The Chapter has received the 10 percent certificate for increase in membership several times and it has been represented in the Grand Chapter by several companions, serving in various positions, including: Homer E. (Doc) Lockett and Alvin J. Sholberg. In 1966 the chapter had 90 members. Triple Tau has, over the years, donated more than $1,000 to the Des Moines Area Food Bank and assisted annually in the fire Department Christmas programs with donations of food, toys and money. Companions have been involved with the Highline / Des Moines annual Christmas drive for more than twenty continuous years. The total cash donations for the Christmas outreach program are in excess of $5,000 for those years. Triple Tau Chapter maintains an active association with the youth organizations meeting at the Des Moines Masonic Center. Ensuring DeMolay and Jobs Daughters are able to attend their annual conventions. In December 2005 West Seattle Chapter No. 45 officially consolidated with Triple Tau Chapter No. 66. At that time, Excellent High Priest Don Carlock surrendered the charter to the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Washington. The merger brought with it 73 members, 5 of whom were active members most of whom being Past High Priests or Past District Deputies. These companions became active members of Triple Tau and are a great asset to the growth of the chapter. Additionally, they brought with them an amount of funds which greatly helped in supporting the growth of Triple Tau’s future. Companion Frank Smith and E.C. B Gene Fish coordinated with the Des Moines Chamber of Commerce to ensure there would be a Masonic presence at the Des Moines “50 Year Birthday Bash,” later in August 2009. The major Masonic event being the Jobs Daughters “Fair” held at the Center. Additionally, all Masonic bodies were invited to participate.

199 The chapter is most fortunate that its first High Priest, Homer Earl Lockett, is still a very active member who has served as an inspiration to all Companions who have joined. After his year as High Priest, he served as Secretary and then over the years many other position within the chapter and serving as Deputy of the Grand High Priest in the early 2000’s. Currently he serves as a mentor to this chapter. In 2008 Triple Tau Chapter No. 66 celebrated its 50th year of existence with only two major changes. For many years Triple Tau met in the Burien Masonic Center in Burien but now holds its convocation in the Des Moines Masonic Center in Des Moines. The second major change occurred when West Seattle Chapter 45 consolidated with Triple Tau. At the June 4, 2008 Convocation of Triple Tau No. 66, a motion was made by HGHP Whitney that a donation of $500 be given to the Des Moines DeMolay Chapter so that they could send several of their members to the upcoming leadership conference. The motion passed. After which the convocation was called “Off Session” and three members of the DeMolay chapter along with two Dad Advisors were brought into the room so that Triple Tau could present them with the check which they graciously accepted and gave a report on the outstanding growth their chapter was experiencing.

Members of Triple Tau No. 66 who have been recognized for outstanding service to Masonry:

Grand High Priests: Grand Lecturer: Herbert J. Miller 2000 – 2001 Jerry Whitney 2000 – 2005 R. Dale Fluaitt 2005 – 2006 Gold Honor Award: Jerry E. Whitney (Honorary) 2007 (?) Amos Clemmons Past District Deputies, District 15: B. Gene Fish Aubrey Reeves 1986 – 1988 Harold Hobbs Frank R. Davidson (45) 1988 – 1990 Homer Lockett Charles E. O’Donovan (45) 1991 – 1992 Charles W. McQuery Otto R. Lawrence (45) 1992 – 1994 Maurice I. Nelson Jerry Whitney 1994 – 1996 LeRoy Scott Alvin A. Taylor (45) 1996 – 1997 Al Taylor (He was then a Member of West Seattle #45 Darrel L. Womack which merged into Triple Tau in 2002) Bronze Medal Award: R. Dale Fluaitt 1997 – 1998 Jerry E. Whitney Robert W. Shoemaker (45) 1998 – 2000 Cryptic Mason of the Year: (He was then a Member of West Seattle #45 Jerry E. Whitney which merged into Triple Tau in 2002) Knight Cross of the Center: Homer E. Lockett 2000 – 2002 Jerry E. Whitney Raymond W. Points 2002 – 2004 Order of the Purple Cross: Harold B. Hobbs 2008 – 2009 R. Dale Fluaitt Deputy Grand High Priest: Timothy Hurley Herbert J. Miller 1998 – 1999 Jerry Whitney R. Dale Fluaitt 2003 – 2004 Herbert J. Miller Grand King: Scottish Rite 33O Herbert J. Miller Mark Conlee R. Dale Fluaitt 2002 – 2003 Herbert J. Miller Grand Scribe: Jerry E. Whitney Herbert J. Miller 1997 – 1998 R. Dale Fluaitt 2001 – 2002 B. Gene Fish 2005 – 2006

200 OVERLAKE #67 In December 1958, the Grand High Priest, Duke T. Fife, granted a Dispensation to Dr. Clement Krantz, Almer Peterson, and several other companions residing in or near the city of Bellevue, Washington, to form and open a Chapter to be known as Overlake Chapter U.D., Dr. Krantz acting as High Priest. The new chapter prospered and exalted several teams of candidates during their period of U.D. Overlake Chapter No. 67 was granted their Charter at the 75th annual Convocation on May 22, 1959, in Walla Walla. One of the founding companions, Almer J. Peterson, is a Past Grand High Priest of Alaska. A resolution was submitted and subsequently adopted to make him a permanent member of this Grand Chapter, since he was a permanent resident of this Grand Jurisdiction, with all the rights and privileges accorded any member and further, that he be awarded the title of honorary Past Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Mason's of Washington. Dr. Krantz assisted in and was one of the companions responsible for the formation of the Royal Arch Masons Children's Heart Foundation. After serving his chapter as High Priest, he went on to serve this jurisdiction as its Grand High Priest in 1965. The new Chapter has prospered since its inception. In 1966 they had a membership of 56. Ivanhoe Chapter #58 merged into Overlake #67 (Date Uncertain) In 2009 Overlake Chapter #67 merged into Fellowship Chapter #61

HIGH PRIESTS and SECRETARIES of OVERLAKE CHAPTER No. 67

Year HighPriest Secretary 1982-83 George Douglas Bertram William G. Wehmeyer 1983-84 James Edward Browne William G. Wehmeyer 1984-85 David Clyde Fries James Edward Browne 1985-86 Robert F. Hager James Edward Browne 1986-87 Donald William Taylor William G. Wehmeyer 1987-88 William Keith Jones William G. Wehmeyer 1988-89 Arul E. Daniel William G. Wehmeyer 1989-90 Carl Lynn Alexander William G. Wehmeyer 1990-91 John Edward Grieves William G. Wehmeyer 1991-92 Donald Allen Falls William G. Wehmeyer 1992-93 Richard William Huggett William G. Wehmeyer 1993-94 Verne Allen Gray Albert Warren Shaw 1994-95 Daniel Khashayar Emadi Albert Warren Shaw 1995-96 Bill Jean Harris Albert Warren Shaw 1996-97 George Douglas Bertram Albert Warren Shaw 1997-98 John Edward Grieve Albert Warren Shaw 1998-99 Bill Jean Harris ? 1999-00 Manuel Jesus Zazueta ? 2000-01 Gordon Richard Jinnett (Dick) Richard Craig Morgan 2001-02 Robert Thurman Wilson Richard Craig Morgan 2002-03 Alfred John Luberts, Jr Robert Thurman Wilson 2003-04 Delmer Trip Robinson (Bud) Robert Thurman Wilson 2004-05 Delmer Trip Robinson (Bud) Robert Thurman Wilson 2005-06 Alfred John Luberts, Jr Robert Thurman Wilson 2006-07 Glenn Emmet Wilson Robert Thurman Wilson 2007-08 Glenn Emmet Wilson Robert Thurman Wilson 2008-09 George Douglas Bertram Robert Thurman Wilson 2009-10 Alfred John Luberts, Jr Robert Thurman Wilson

NOTE: MEC Albert Shaw died in office on January 30, 1998. Secretary position was filled by Pro-Tem Officers until 2000.

201 RESEARCH #68

MEC HARRY B. WARNICK - GRAND HIGH PRIEST 1998-1999 DISPENSATION FOR A NEW CHAPTER February 3, 1999 - It was with a great deal of pleasure to issue a dispensation for the formation of Research Chapter U.D., to be located at Snohomish, Washington.

MEC HERBERT J. MILLER - GRAND HIGH PRIEST 2000-2001 BY-LAWS APPROVED February 5, 2001 Research No. 68 Initial submittal after Constitution.

MEC CHARLEY L. CHAPMAN - GRAND HIGH PRIEST 2006-2007 SPECIAL DISPENSATIONS GRANTED: 24 April 2007 To move their Charter to the building at Olympic Blvd. and 41st in Everett. Washington because of administrative problems. Immediate change in By laws required ASAP.

MEC LYNN L. BAILEY - GRAND HIGH PRIEST 2008-2009 OFFICIAL ACTIONS November 15, 2008 Installed the 2009 Officers of Research Chapter No. 68 at Everett Masonic Center.

EDITOR: No update information was submitted by the chapter for this edition of the Washington keystone.

PRELUDE TO THE EPILOGUE

In March 2012, as I was assembling the last of the Chapter updates for inclusion in this book, I became convinced that a special and unique finish was needed. I was also convinced that this book was not an epitaph; it should be “A Never Ending Story”. An epilogue to such a book should reflect upon past happenings but it should do more. Happenings of the past needed to be blended into those that were occurring as of the moment that changes to this book went into final lockdown and it needed a peak into the future to help guide us here in the present. To accomplish this task, I asked our Grand High Priest MEC Fred Noyes to compose a portion to the epilogue with emphasis upon past and presently occurring events; and I asked our Deputy Grand High Priest REC Paul Reckamp do the same but with emphasis upon the future as unknown as it most certainly is. Both of our Grand Companions have contributed exactly what was needed. MEC Fred gives us a glimpse into the difficulties of the office of Grand High Priest and REC Paul has rightly reminded us that a “Higher Power” governs us all and that it is with His help the future of our Royal Arch will remain “Bright in the East.” For just as a newly made Companion looks forward to his future life as a Royal Arch Mason so should we look to the future of our great Masonic Body, the Royal Arch of Washington.

Sincerely and Fraternally, EC Robert W. Benish Grand Historian

202 EPILOGUE - Part One

The Grand Historian asked me to compose part of the EPILOGUE for the newly updated WASHINGTON KEYSTONE and to slant my remarks toward past and present happenings, both good and bad, of my year as your Grand High Priest In Washington, so with that in mind here it is. The Capitular Year is at an end and it has been a "wonderful ride". When I was asked if I would consider running for the position of Grand Scribe in early 2009 by my good friends MEC Lynn Bailey and MEC Herb Weaver, at first I felt like Moses at the Burning Bush and thought why me - send Aaron. After talking it over with my wife Dottie and testing the waters by asking if it was the will and pleasure of some of Past Grand High Priests on "the coast" who knew me I took the plunge and was elected to serve our Grand Chapter. My greatest disappointment is that VEC Karl Forch was unable to continue in the Grand Line with the result that I came into my present office a year early. I was looking forward to serving with VEC Karl as he and I share the privilege serving our country in our 25 plus year Navy Careers. I so appreciate the mentoring that I received from our Past High Priests and I will not attempt to enumerate them or the instances when I needed their help as I would most likely leave someone out. Our Grand Secretary is also to be thanked and commended for keeping me in line, "It is the pen that marks those that serve". Thank you all, your council was timely and good. I wish also to thank our Deputies and Committeemen who so ably supported and assisted me this year. We started this year with a few things that I felt we needed to accomplish as a Grand Chapter. With the able leadership of EC Richard "Dick" Bish heading The Long Range Planning Committee we did accomplish the administrative goals that needed to be addressed. We were able to compile and produce a more comprehensive Deputies Handbook (after four re-writes by VEC Brian Bechler) the residual pages of the older version will be "groomed" and made into a Chapter Officers Handbook by our Long Range Planning Committee and Education and Training Committee in the coming year. The Proficiency in Chapter Management Examination has been rewritten and massaged into a more germane document with more pertinent questions thanks to VEC Robert Wallinger and the Education and Training Committee. The Keystone History begun Three years ago is completed thanks to the diligent efforts of our Grand Historian EC Robert "Bob" Benish. REC Steve Dazey is working toward aligning our Grand Chapter Code with the Grand Masonic Lodge of Washington Code so that when needed it will be easier to locate those parts of the Grand Lodge Code that are not covered in The Grand Chapter Code. Through the efforts of my friend and Companion attorney Thomas Christie we are now in the process of forming a Limited Liability Non-profit Corporation titled "York Rite Bodies Sessions" to make it easier for Chapter, Council and Commandery to deposit budgeted monies for Grand Sessions into an EIN Numbered Account and eliminate the necessity for individual members of Sessions Committees to use their Social Security Numbers. This account will hold any overages that may accumulated and can be used in for the following years, eventually alleviating the necessity of requesting additional monies from the three bodies. Through my Official Visits I have noted a new energy in our Chapters. Chapters we thought were on the edge of demise have rebounded with new members. Chapters are utilizing and integrating their new members into appointed positions. Chapters are willing to help each other with degree work and in turn are growing. I continue to see a positive attitude in most chapters. We still have work to do in communicating to our Brethren of The Blue (Craft) Lodges "The True Masonic Word" and how to obtain it through Royal Arch. The Royal Arch Picnic July 16th 2011 was a success ; two new companions were exalted at the convocation at the Royal Arch Park and the occasion was enhanced by the attendance of Companion, Most Worshipful Michael Sanders and Companion RW Jerry Lingle (who has since been called home by our Lord). Affirmation Sunday October 23rd 2011 was well attended from both sides of the Border, My good friend Past Grand 1st Principle MEC Alistair Ross represented The Grand Chapter of BC & Yukon. The service was given by our Deputy Grand High Priest, The Reverend Paul Reckamp. International Night at Bellingham Bay #12 was not as well attended this year due to the threat of a major storm which did arrive about an hour after the meeting ended. We officiated at the consolidation of Longview Chapter #55 and Vancouver Chapter #9 and installed the new Officers at Vancouver on November 9th 2011. The consolidated Chapter retains the name and number as

203 Vancouver Chapter #9. We do not like to lose chapters but the consolidation of these chapters provides a stronger Royal Arch presence in the Southwestern part of the state. My hobby is quilting and the theme for this year has been QUILT; Quality Utilizing Intellect Leadership and Training. I continue to see an improvement in the Leadership of our chapters, younger and newer members are being given positions in many Chapters. The Intellect (or thinking outside the box) is beginning to bear fruit. The Proposal Method is working. Programs are being implemented into meetings. But more can be done to increase interest and thereby attendance. I suggest: Festive Boards i.e., entertaining local Lodges members after lodge with coffee, pie etc.; inviting speakers to present topics of interest at meetings; and asking the new members of a chapter to research and present short talks on the meanings of our rituals. I would be remiss in not thanking our wonderful Ladies who lovingly help and prepare wonderful meals before Chapter. They deserve our thanks for it is they who allow us the time "to go out and play at this thing we call Masonry". I must not forget my wife of fifty years Dottie who has been with me in my Masonic life as Master of two lodges, District Deputy of both The Grand Masonic Lodge and The Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Washington, as Director of Characters of Nile Temple Shrine. Most especially these past four years as I moved up the Grand Line to be your Grand High Priest. For the many hours in the car traveling for a large part of the 50,000 miles we traveled the state over the last two years and the nights she stayed at home with our animals. I could not have done this without her support, her help and love. I end my portion of the Epilogue with the thought that so as the contents of this book become a recorded part of our Royal Arch Heritage so do my contributions and those of yours who share companionship in this great fraternity become a recorded book that we can only hope will be read with favor by The Great Architect of the Universe. I thank God for my opportunity to serve the Grand Chapter of Washington and I remain humbly and fraternally yours.

MEC Frederick B. Noyes Grand High Priest 2011-2012

EPILOGUE - Part Two

Dear Companions, In this day of age where we have access to all kinds of material things, we sometimes forget that the most important things in this world, or in this fraternity, have no physical properties--but have tremendous significance. As a priest, I have presided over many funerals. Some of the deceased had truly remarkable professional careers, a lot of money, medals from an important organization, etc. Those that showed up to celebrate the life of these individuals, really did not focus on these things. They showed up because they loved them. Sir Isaac Newton's Third Law of Motion is, "For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction." This law is exemplified by what happens if we step off a boat onto the bank of a lake: as we move in the direction of the shore, the boat tends to move in the opposite direction. This law also applies to our relationships with our wives, children, friends, and fraternity, as is demonstrably shown by those who are genuinely upset by the passing of their loved one. You see, if your love is great, your grief at the end is equally great. To have a strong, wonderful relationship with the people in your life you must proactively work at showing compassion, patience, prudence, and forgiveness. When reflecting upon the Royal Arch rituals, we should ask, "Why did the first Royal Arch Masons choose a particular subject at a particular time in history to be learned by every Royal Mason throughout eternity?" In order to answer that question, we must reflect on the occasions when we each became an Entered Apprentice Mason, a Fellowcraft Mason, and a Master Mason. At the very beginning, candidates for Masonry are asked if 204 they believe in one true living God. If a candidate answers, "No," then the door to the inner chamber is closed and the person will not become a Mason. If the candidate answers, "Yes," then he is born into the fraternity. Just as a baby is born into this world and grows stronger when shown love, compassion, patience, and forgiveness, so does a Mason. A Mason grows up within the fraternity with the guidance, nurturing, and understanding of his fellow Masons. While all of things mentioned above can be provided by human means, the authors of the Royal Arch also knew that to attain true enlightenment and be successful in life, they must have the support and love from our Lord in Heaven. No one should ever think they can be successful without invoking the blessings of Deity. The Israelites for thousands of years visited their Tabernacle or Temple at the day of atonement and asked for forgiveness of their sins. Only when the Tabernacle or Temple existed did that possibility exist. The Tabernacle or Temple existed because that is where God would come. The Most Excellent Master and Royal Arch Degree allegorically represents this monumental moment for mankind. The future of the Royal Arch depends on understanding and accepting the premise laid down by the authors of the Royal Arch work. As I wrote above, the amount of satisfaction or love gained within our fraternity depends on how much work we put into it for others--not just for yourself. We were placed in this world to love our God with all of our mind, heart, and soul. We must love one another as our Lord and Savior loves us. We are not here to receive rewards and honors, we are here to help others. My job as Grand High Priest will be to remind all Royal Arch Masons that if we are to be successful, if we are to be fruitful and meaningful to others, we must remember the past, do good works, love our God and one another with great fervor. An epilogue at the end of a book sometimes details the fate of its characters. I assure you that with God’s help and steady hand, our fraternal body, with its moral and spiritual teachings, will prosper and provide inspiration to future generations. They will, in turn, add chapters to this book with details of their fate and purpose of life. I would not be a Mason without the assistance and unconditional love from my father, EC John U. Reckamp, and many incredible caring and loving Masons. So many have been there for me that a full page of names would exist if I named them all. I have been blessed that my predecessor, MEC Frederick B. Noyes, is a truly heartwarming man, full of love and forgiveness. He is a man of God and through his actions it shows. I would be remiss if I did not personally mention MEC Edwin Opstad, PGHP, who through his fellowship and love, asked me to run for the Grand Chapter. I presided as Chaplain at his funeral this Masonic year and wish he could be here to celebrate my time as Grand High Priest. He will be with me in my heart and mind as I continue my life's journey within the Royal Arch.

Grace, mercy, and peace be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

Fraternally, REC Reverend Paul K. Reckamp Deputy Grand High Priest 2011-2012

205