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OF THE

ANNUAL ASSEMBLY

OF THE

GRAND COUNCIL

OF

ROYAL AND SELECT MASTERS,

OF THE

STATE OF MARYLAND,

1879.

The M.. Ill.. Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Maryland convened in Annual Assembly in Masonic Temple, Baltimore, Wednesday, November 12th, A.. Dep.. 2879—A.. D.. 1879, at 3 o'clock P. M.

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Companion E. L. PARKER, Jr., P.`. M. ́. Ill. ́. G.`. Master; CHAS. F. ACHEY, P.. Dep.. G.`. Master, and Representatives of Concordia Council, No. 1, Jerusalem Council, No. 2, and Druid Council, No. 5.

The Grand Council was opened in Ample form.

The M.. Ill.. G.. Master appointed the following committees:

ON CREDENTIALS.

Companions Wм. F. COCHRAN, THOMAS J. SHRYOCK, CHARLES F. ACHEY.

ON FINANCE.

Companions GEORGE W. SHEIVE, HENRY C. LARRABEE, C. C. ISAACS.

OF CORRESPONDENCE.

Companions GEO, L. MCCAHAN, EDWIN L. PARKER, JR., CHAS. F. ACHEY.

The Committee on Credentials made the following report, which was accepted:

To the M. Ill.. G:. Council Royal and Select Masters of Maryland:

The Committee on Credentials respectfully report the following named Representatives entitled to seats in this Grand Council:

CONCORDIA COUNCIL, No. 1.

Companion HENRY W. WORTHINGTON...

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WM. F. COCHRAN,

THOS. J. SHRYOCK,

CHARLES F. ACHEY.

The M.. Ill.. G.. Master read the following

ADDRESS:

COMPANIONS: The events of another year have been registered in the annals of time, and once more, through the beneficence of the Grand Architect of the Universe, we are enabled to assemble in Grand Council for the purpose of deliberating upon the interests of Cryptic Masonry in our jurisdiction.

While the past year has not been one of great prosperity to the Cryptic Rite in Maryland, yet we have reason to be thankful that the Angel of Death has not passed through the door of the Secret Vault of our Grand Council, and placed his dread hand upon cherished Companions with whom

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we have associated in the intimate relations of brotherhood and social inter-course and friendship. For although death should hallow all men, and place upon each the diadem of immortality, yet when the grave receives its sacred deposit, the eyes of loving friends will rain tears and bereaved hearts will ache with sorrow.

It is also a subject for congratulation that we are enabled to meet together year after year in peace and harmony, and renew those pledges of brotherly love and affection which should characterize the members of the Ancient Craft in all the different branches of Masonry.

The general depression of business throughout the country, and at a time, too, when our own Grand Council was passing through a period of its existence fraught with vital interest, has perhaps more seriously affected the Cryptic Rite than any other branch of Masonry, and no doubt to this cause can be ascribed the movement in some jurisdictions to surrender to Royal Arch Chapters the work of the Councils. Another cause, and perhaps one of the most prominent also of the languishment of the Cryptic Masonry in our jurisdiction, is that the Council Degrees are not, like those of the Chapter, prerequisites to the Orders of the Temple: for the fact is very apparent that many become Royal Arch Masons only as a preparatory step to becoming Knights Templar, the semi-military character of the latter Order forming a strong attraction.

An unsuccessful effort was made at the last Triennial Conclave of the Grand Encampment of the United States to make the Council Degrees prerequisite to those of the Commandery, and had that effort succeeded, there is no doubt but that Cryptic Masonry to-day would be in a more flourish. ing condition in most, if not all, of the jurisdictions in our country, and the movement to surrender to Chapter authority have but few, if any, ad

vocates.

The surrender of individuality commenced in Mississippi, and has extended to Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Nebraska and Wisconsin. Several others took the initiatory steps towards surrendering, but, notwithstanding sufficient time has elapsed, they have not carried them into effect. With the above the movement is very likely to end, if the General Grand Chapter, at its Detroit meeting, in 1880, will be faithful to its past record, and not endorse the Mississippi movement, for in 1853 the General Grand Chapter by resolution decreed that Royal Arch Chapters had no rightful jurisdiction or control over the degrees of Royal and Select Master, and that henceforward it would entertain no question or matter growing out of the government or working of the Council Degrees.

Hence, to use the language of Ill. Companion MEYER, of Pennsylvania : "Grand Councils can die and cease to exist, but they cannot give authority over that which is not exclusively their own, but as common property belongs to all Grand Councils."

The argument has been used that inasmuch as Cryptic Masonry owes its origin to Capitular Masonry, the latter has the right to receive back what it constituted. But the fallacy of such reasoning is made apparent by the history of the Cryptic Rite, for well authenticated records prove

that the Council Degrees of Royal and Select Master were conferred in Charleston, so far back as 1783, under the authority of a body of the Scottish Rite, and that from this Rite all of the older Grand Councils derived their authority. The General Grand Chapter was not organized until 1798.

Following the example of Mississippi, this surrender of Council rights to the Royal Arch Chapters, places such Companions who may receive the Cryptic Degree in such bodies in a very anomalous position, for already many of the Grand Councils, among the number being Pennsylvania, New York, Louisiana, Michigan, Indiana, Alabama, Ohio, Maine and Vermont, have determined to regard all such Companions as clandestinely made.

It is gratifying to learn, from an examination of the proceedings of the different Grand Councils, that during the past two years Cryptic Masonry has not decreased in as large proportion as either Blue or Capitular Masonry, and that in such large and influential jurisdictions as Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio and Michigan, the Cryptic Order is in a very prosperous. condition, and the determination forcibly expressed to maintain an independent existence.

Every branch of Masonry has its seasons of depression, and Cryptic Masonry is no exception to the general rule.

It therefore behooves us, Companions, to work earnestly and zealously to maintain and perpetuate the stability of one of the most beautiful and important branches of Masonry; to preserve the Cryptic Degrees in their sublimity, completeness and purity, and by united action defeat any plan which would mar their glory and give the death blow to a Rite which has in itself intrinsic merit enough to maintain a separate and independent existence.

Therefore, no one of us need lose courage, nor believe that labor exerted in behalf of such an important Rite as Cryptic Masonry will be wasted. One versed in the lore of the Craft has wisely remarked, that a Masonicbody should resemble a bee-hive, in which all the members work together with order for the common good. That the hope of success, and not the hope of reward, should be our stimulating and sustaining power. Our ob ject, and not ourselves, should be our inspiring thought. Let us, then, 80labor for the interests of Cryptic Masonry in Maryland, and success is certain to crown our efforts.

The labors of the office of Most Ill. Master, with which you honored me one year ago, have been light, and the record of my official acts is very brief. The condition of the treasury has prevented official visitations to distant Councils.

I have, however, officially visited Concordia Council, No. 1, and Druid Council, No. 5, and installed the officers elect of both these Councils. I also intalled the Thrice Ill. Master elect of Jerusalem Council, No. 2.

It affords me great pleasure to testify to the zeal and ability displayed' by the officers and members of Concordia Council, No. 1, the largest and most prosperous in our jurisdiction. Its success affords a bright example of what may be accomplished by untiring devotion to the interests of Cryptic Masonry.

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