On Appeals: COMPS. GEORGE H. GREEN, JOHN M. BROADFOOT, R. C. HATHE WAY. On Unfinished Business : COMPS. WM. BROWN, E. WHITE, I. F. BEACH. FINANCIAL REPORTS. The Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer presented their Financial Reports, and asked that the same be referred to the Finance Committee for examination and verification. QUESTION. Companion RUTHERFORD submitted the following Question and asked its reference to the Committee on Jurisprudence: A. and B. petition Oceana Chapter, No. 56, and are both elected. B. presents himself to receive the Mark Master's degree and A. objects; A. has paid for all the Chapter degrees. Has "A." the right to this objection, and has any Companion the right to enquire why he objects? RESOLUTION. Companion O. L. SPAULDING, Past Grand High Priest, offered the following Preamble and Resolution, which on motion was adopted: WHEREAS, Oxford Chapter, No. 84, lost their charter by fire, in the month of December last, therefore. Resolved, That this Grand Chapter do hereby grant said Oxford Chapter a new charter free of cost, and that the Grand Secretary be instructed to forward same at as early a day as practicable. INVITATION. Past Grand High Priest M. SHOEMAKER, on behalf of Brother HUMPHREY extended to the officers and members of the Grand Chapter an invitation to visit the State Prison, at such time as to them might be most convenient. On motion the communication was accepted, and action thereon deferred for the present. YELLOW FEVER SUFFERERS. The Grand Secretary presented his report of receipts from subordinate Chapters in aid of the "Yellow Fever Sufferers" and his disposition thereof, and asked the reference of the whole subject to the Committee on Finance. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. On motion of Companion Past Grand High Priest MCCURDY, the election of officers for the ensuing year was made the special order for 2 o'clock p. m., to-morrow (Wednesday) afternoon. AUSTIN CHAPTER, NO. 44. Companion Past Grand High Priest MCCURDY presented the following Communication from the members of Austin Chapter, No. 44, and asked its reference to Committee on Jurisprudence : So referred. To the Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of the State of Michigan: We, the undersigned, being Royal Arch Masons and Officers of Austin Chapter, No. 44. of Royal Arch Masons, located at Austin, Oakland County, Michigan, would respectfully represent that a combination of circumstances renders it necessary to change the location of said Chapter for the following among other reasons: Business that formerly centered here has been diverted to or sought other points, agreeably to natural laws of trade. The building in which our meetings are held has changed owners; and Austin Lodge No. 48, F. & A. M., that formerly occupied the same with us, has during the past summer changed its place of meeting to Davisburgh, a village on the Detroit and Milwaukee Railroad, making it necessary for Austin Chapter to either surrender its charter, remain where we are, or change the place of meeting, which several questions were fully discussed at a regular meeting; and by unanimous vote decided the latter to be the best and most satisfactory course to pursue; and Davisburgh, four miles distant, west by south, and Ortonville, another village eight miles distant, in nearly a northeast direction, were proposed as places to remove to; whereupon a vote was taken which resulted in a majority of one in favor of Davisburgh. We subsequently learned from Companions of Holly Chapter No. 80, that upon hearing of the action of Austin Chapter, said Holly Chapter had determined to oppose the removal of the former to Davisburgh. At the Annual Meeting of Austin Chapter, held on the 12th day of December last past, a further discussion was had, and by nearly a unanimous vote decided to present the facts in the case to the Grand Chapter, and if in its judgment Capitular Masonry would be better promoted in this part of its Grand Jurisdiction by changing the location of Austin Chapter to Ortonville rather than to Davisburgh, to take such action as will most conduce to that end. We therefore pray for permission authorizing the Companions of Austin Chapter No. 44 to move the same either to Davisburgh or Ortonville, therein to discharge the duties and enjoy the privileges of Royal Arch Masonry according to the landmarks and usages of the Order, and the Constitution, Laws and Edicts of the Grand Chapter of Michigan, and the General Grand Chapter of the United States of America, and we hereby pledge a strict compliance thereunto, should our prayer be granted. Austin, January, 1879. PORTER A. WRIGHT, Secretary. HORATIO WRIGHT, H. P., F. J. SMITH, S. APPEAL OF MERIDIAN CHAPTER. The High Priest of Meridian Chapter No. 48, presented the following matter of grievance to the Grand Chapter, and asked its reference to the Committee on Grievance. So referred. To the Grand Chapter of the State of Michigan: Meridian Chapter No. 48, at Manchester, Michigan, respectfully represent unto this Hon. Body that George Mitchell and F. D. Whitaker, both residents of Lyma township, Washtenaw county, Michigan, and within the jurisdiction of Meridian Chapter No. 48, petitioned Grass Lake Chapter for the degrees and thereupon were elected and the degrees conferred upon them. That at the time of signing the respective petitions as above named, each lived in Lyma aforesaid. That upon Meridian Chapter learning of the action of Grass Lake Chapter in the matter, they caused their Secretary to notify said Grass Lake Chapter that said George Mitchell and F. D. Whitaker, the newly made Companions, lived within the jurisdiction of Meridian Chapter at the time of their application for the degrees, and ask said Grass Lake Chapter to remit to Meridian Chapter the degree fees, to which said Grass Lake Chapter has neither replied or responded. Thereupon, Meridian Chapter, No. 48, respectfully appeal to this Hon. Body to cause the Masonic Law in such cases made and provided to be enforced. Dated, Manchester, Michigan, January 8th, 1879. S. FITZGERALD, Secretary Meridian Chapter No. 48. GRAND SECRETARY'S REPORT. The Grand Secretary presented his Annual Report, which on motion was accepted, and ordered printed with the proceedings: GRAND RAPIDS, January 22, 1879. To the M. E. Grand High Priest, Officers and Members of the Grand The Grand Secretary respectfully presents, for your consideration and approval, his Annual Report of official acts. PROCEEDINGS. The Proceedings of the Twenty-ninth Annual Convocation were printed and distributed, in accordance with the rules of this Grand Body, in the month of March last; and in almost every case acknowl edgment has been made of the receipt thereof. GENERAL GRAND CHAPTER DUES. The general Grand Chapter dues have been paid as usual; and I hold the receipt of General Grand Secretary for the same. GRAND HIGH PRIEST'S JEWEL. In accordance with the vote of this Grand Chapter, I procured, through Companion M. S. Smith, of Detroit, a beautiful and appropri ate Past Grand High Priest's Jewel, and presented the same, on behalf of Grand Chapter, to Past Grand High Priest Oliver L. Spaulding. The following correspondence on that subject is hereby submitted: LETTER FROM WM. P. INNES.. GEN'L O. L. SPAULDING, GRAND RAPIDS, MICH., MARCH 27, 1878. Past Grand High Priest, St. Johns, Mich.: MY DEAR SIR AND MOST EXCELLENT COMPANION :-As the medium of the Grand Chapter, it is my pleasing duty to forward you the accompanying elegant Jewel, voted you by that Body at its last session, as a mark of the friendship and esteem entertained for you by the Royal Craft. Nothing ought to give greater pleasure to the true Mason than the commendation of those by whom he has been honored, and over whom he has been called upon to preside. Such being the case, my dear Companion, how gratifying it must be to you, on your retirement as presiding officer, to receive this substantial token of their love and esteem. May you be blessed with long life and prosperity, and permitted for years to wear the Jewel now presented you; and may it ever be a reminder of the affection entertained for you, and an incentive always to stand forth as the champion of Royal Arch Masonry within our Jurisdiction, ever bearing in mind that, as untarnished as we now present this "Memento," we hope and expect you to keep it during life; and, when you shall have passed the Grand Overseer's Station above, may it be said of you that "he remained faithful to the trust and honor reposed in him." With my sincere and personal wishes for your health and prosperity, I remain fraternally yours, WM. P. INNES, LETTER FROM O. L. SPAULDING. GEN. WM. P. INNES, ST. JOHNS, April 15, 1878. Grand Secretary, etc., Grand Rapids. MY DEAR SIR AND M. E. COMPANION-I had the pleasure a few days since to receive through you the very elegant Jewel lately voted me by the Grand Chapter. I received it as a testimonial of my Brethren of the Royal Craft that I have in some degree commended myself to their approbation, conscious, however, of failing far below my own conception of a Royal Arch Mason. I accept the gift rather as evidence of appreciation of what I have endeavored to do than what I have done. I have taken occasion before to thank my Companions of the Grand Chapter, for proofs of their confidence and regard. Thanking them for this further remembrance, I can only renew to them my assurance of fraternal regard, and reassure them of my fealty to our Order. Be pleased to convey to the Grand Chapter my sincere thanks for this gift, which is especially valuable to me, in that I am esteemed |