HS 778 B87/^3^ 1 B ^^HfcV CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY THIS BOOK IS ONE OF A COLLECTION MADE BY BENNO LOEWY 1854-1919 AND BEQUEATHED TO CORNELL UNIVERSITY Cornell University Library HS778.B87 A92 1908 One hundred years of Aurora Grata. 1808- 3 1924 030 321 909 olin,anx Cornell University Library The original of tliis book is in tlie Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924030321909 First Master of Aurora Grata Lodge of Perfection Installed November 3, 1808 ANCIENT ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE ONE HUNDRED YEARS OP AURORA GRATA 1808 - 1908 BY CHARLES A. BROCKAWAY, 32° BROOKLYN, N. Y. AURORA GRATA CONSISTORY 190S 7 7^ 11 ^< Copyright, 1908, by Charles H. Luscomb In trust for Aurora Grata Consistory Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite WAVERLT PRESS W1LLIA.&18 A WILKINB COMPANY BAIVTIHORB To III. Henry L Palmer, 33° "The Grand Old Man op Freemasonry" this volume is fraternally dedicated SUPREME COUNCIL 33" A. A. S. RITE FOR THE NORTHERN MASONIC JURISDICTION OP THE U. S. OFFICE OF THE M. P. SOV. GRAND COMMANDER Milwaukee, Wisconsin, February 4, 1908. Charles A. Brockawat, 32°, Brooklyn, New York. My dear Brother: I received in due time your manuscript of "One Hun- dred Years of Aurora Grata, 1808-1908," together with your letter of the 20th ultimo relating thereto. I have read every word of it, from the title page to the conclu- sion, and finished the reading last night. So far as I have any personal knowledge of the transactions of the Aurora Grata bodies, and so far as I have any means of verifying them, the statements contained therein seem to be abso- lutely correct. I have found it an exceedingly interest- ing production. I had a personal acquaintance with so many of those who were connected with these Bodies that I found this history as fascinating as the most exciting work of fiction I have ever read. You have done a wonderful work in gathering together so accurately the facts connected with the history of these Bodies. For the sake of the present members of the Bodies themselves, and of the Rite in our Juris- diction, it should be published and thus permanently preserved for the future. I appreciate and thank you for the grand work you have accomplished. Yours truly, H. L Palmer, Grand Commander. CONTENTS INTRODUCTION Beginnings of the Scottish Rite ix THE FOUNDING OF AURORA GRATA 1 Lodge op Perfection Chabter 7 Letter to Charleston Supreme Council 12 Founders op Aurora Grata 14 Sublime Grand Consistory 18 Supreme Council, N. M. J 22 "The Ruthless Hand op Ignorance" 31 Emerging prom the Eclipse 33 Progress, Dissension, Harmony 34 AURORA GRATA REVIVED 41 Charles W. Willets 44 Work Begins Again 46 Establishment op the Mystic Shrine 47 Removal to Fulton Street 48 vi contents The Union op 'Sixty-seven 50 Joseph D. Evans 52 Simon Wiggin Robinson 54 Active Membership 54 Changes in Ofpicebs 56 John W. Simons 57 Charles T. McClenachan, Commander-in-Chief. 60 Meetings in New York City 64 Charter of Council Suspended 65 Aurora Grata Lodge No. 756 66 Proposal to Surrender Charter 67 Efforts toward Consolidation 69 The Consolidation Effected 72 Downcast Hours — Welcome Dawn 75 Aurora Grata Cathedral 81 Henry L Palmer 84 Aurora Grata Club 85 SECOND AURORA GRATA CONSISTORY 87 Edwin Knowles 90 Edwin Gates 92 Adversity Returns; Again Vanquished 93 J. H. HoBART Ward 95 John W. Richardson, Commander-in-Chief 96 contents vii William Homan 89 Edwin D. Washburne, Commander-in-Chief 100 Gifts from Members 100 Daniel Sickels 102 Charles H. Luscomb, Commander-in-Chief 103 Exchanges of Visits with Scranton 106 Visits to Smybolic Lodges 109 Wayland Teask Ill Annual Reunions 113 Conclusion 114 APPENDIX Thirty-second Degree Patent of Mohdecai Myers : . I Appointment of Mordecai Myers in Sublime Grand Consistory II Officers of the Aurora Grata Bodies Ill ILLUSTRATIONS MOBDECAI MtEBS FRONTISPIECE Lodge of Perfection Charter 8 Endorsements onChabter 22 Joseph D. Evans 52 John W. Simons 58 Charles T. McClenachan 62 Aurora Grata Cathedral 82 Henry L Palmer 84 J. H. HoBART Ward 94 John W. Richardson 96 Edwin D. Washburne 100 Daniel Sickels 102 Original Drawing of Grand Decoration 104 Charles H. Luscomb 108 Wayland Trask 112 Thirty-second Degree Patent Appendix Appointment in Consistory Appendix INTRODUCTION COINCIDENT with the Masonic revival in the early part of the Eighteenth Century there sprang up a desire for a deeper research into the arcana of Freemasonry and a thorough knowledge of the secret history and doc- trines of the order. The most brilliant minds of Europe were enticed by so fascinating a study, and devised beauti- ful ceremonies or degrees for the purpose of exemplifying those subtle mysteries so little known even to Masons, and embracing the historical, philosophical, and chival- ric. For a considerable time there were apparently no governing bodies for these new degrees, and they were for the most part what we now call "side" degrees. Efforts were made to establish separate and distinct organizations wherein these sublime truths might be revealed and cultivated, but nearly aU of these attempts were ephemeral. In 1754, however, twenty-five of these degrees (including the three S3anbolic degrees) were arranged in a series called the Rite of Perfection or H-R-D-M, and a governing body was promptly formed; but the spirit of frequent change stiU reigned over Masonry, and five years later we find these same degrees conferred under authority of a body styled the Council of Emperors of the East and West, having its Grand East at Paris. X INTRODUCTION On the 27th of August, 1761, this body invested Ste- phen Morin with power to carry the Rite of Perfection to America. He established bodies in Santo Domingo and at Kingston, Jamaica, and at the latter place Henry Andrew Francken was admitted to the high degrees. Francken was commissioned by Morin a Deputy Inspec- tor General, with power to carry the Rite to the Continent of America. He came to New York and on the 20th of December, 1767, gave a patent of authority to a number of brethren residing at Albany, where they immediately established Ineffable Lodge of Perfection. That body continues to work to this day under authority of that original warrant, sanctioned by the Supreme Council of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. The Council of Emperors of the East and West adopted Grand Constitutions in 1762, a copy of which Morin furnished to Francken, who in turn left a copy with the Albany body. Both Morin and Francken had power not alone to appoint Inspectors General, but to invest them with equal powers with their own, and in the exercise of this power Francken appointed Moses M. Hayes and several others to this grade. A second Lodge of Perfection was constituted in Philadelphia in 1781, and parts of the early records of this body have been preserved. The following year Joseph M, Meyers, who had been appointed by Hayes, established a Council of Princes of Jerusalem at Charleston, South Carolina, and in 1783 Isaac Da Costa, who also owed his appoint- ment to Hayes, established a Lodge of Perfection at the INTRODUCTION XI same place. In January of 1797, a Grand Council of Princes of the Royal Secret was established in Charles- ton irnder authority of a body of the same rank at Kings- ton, Jamaica. The Rite of Perfection, however, was burdened with inherent defects of organization and government, and in 1786 the "Frederick Constitutions" were published to the world for a new system, the Ancient Accepted Scot- tish Rite, which appropriated outright the degrees of the Rite of Perfection and added eight more, thereby bring- ing the number up to thirty-three. By the terms of these Constitutions succession in the government of the Rite after the death of Frederick the Great, supreme head of the order, was provided for by investing his power in a Supreme Council in each nation, excepting in the United States, where there were to be two Supreme Councils for the government of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. In 1801, Colonel John Mitchell, commis- sioned an Inspector General by Barend M. Spitzer, who had received a commission from Hayes, took steps to form a Supreme Council of the Ancient Accepted Scot- tish Rite in exact accordance with the provisions of the Constitutions of 1786. Frederick Dalcho, D.D., was raised to the grade of Inspector General and the degree was commimicated to others until the Supreme Council for the Southern Jurisdiction of the United States was completed on the 31st of May, 1801, the first Supreme Council organized in the world conformably to the Con- stitutions of 1786. THE FOUNDING OF AURORA GRATA MONG the Masonic curios collect- ed by the Grand Lodge of the State of New York there is a certificate dated the 22d of July, 1782, signed by Paul Revere, Master of the Lodge of Saint Andrew in the Town of Boston, and afterwards Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts. This certificate reads that "our worthy Brother Abra- ham Jacobs has been duly initiated into the second degree of Freemasonry. As such he has been received by us, and being a true and faithful brother is hereby recommended to the favor and protection of all Free and Accepted Masons wherever dispersed." Jacobs was raised to the degree of Master Mason in Lodge No. 1 at Charles- ton, South Carolina, under the jurisdiction of the 2 AURORA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH RITE Athol Grand Lodge of England (Ancients). In 1788 the Sublime degrees were conferred upon him up to and including the " Grand and Sublime Degree of Perfection," or Grand Elect Mason, and one of the signers of his certificate was Brigadier-General Mordecai Gist, then Deputy Grand Master of Masons in South Carolina and Grand Master in 1790. Jacobs was promoted to the degree of Knight of the Sun, in Jamaica, in the spring of 1790, and he returned to Savannah, Georgia, in November of the same year. Learning of the recent establishment of the Supreme Council of the Thirty-third degree at Charleston, Jacobs and eight others petitioned the Grand Council of Princes of Jerusalem on the 21st of November, 1802, for authority to found a Lodge of Perfection at Savannah, and a warrant of constitution passed the seal of the Grand Coun- cil of Princes of Jerusalem for the establishment of a Sublime Grand Lodge of Perfection at Savannah, which was constituted on the 30th of December, 1802, as Grand Elect and Sublime Grand Lodge No. 2 under the jurisdiction of the Sublime Grand Council of Princes of Jerusalem at Charleston. In 1804 we find Jacobs in New York, and on the 4th of October of that year he wrote in his diary: THE FOUNDING OF AUEOBA GRATA 3 Bro. Joseph Jacobs, an old Royal Arch Mason, having signified by letter his desire of receiving the Sublime degrees, taking into view the uncertainty of life and death, and in case of the latter not knowing into whose hands my papers may fall, determined to confer the Sublime degrees upon him, on his being qualified to receive my papers in case of death and return them to the Supreme Council at Charles- ton, South Carolina. During the next four years Jacobs conferred the Sublime degrees upon nineteen brothers all told, most of them being Past Masters of their Lodges. In October, 1808, these brethren formed themselves into a convention in order to elect the officers for a Council of Princes of Jeru- salem and a Subhme Grand Lodge of Perfection, and Jacobs decided to promote the officers of the Council and the Master and Deputy Master of the Lodge of Perfection to the degree of Knight of the Sun, agreeably and in conformity to the Constitutions. Let us copy from his diary for October, 1808: It was moved and seconded that the brethren present form themselves into a convention, which was unani- mously agreed to. Present: Thomas Lownds Abraham Jacobs Sampson Simson Richard Riker Benjamin Shotwell Benjamin Aycrigg William T. Hunter Stephen Scudder John E. Ruckel Joel Hart 4 aukoba gkata a. a. scottish kite Andbew Sitcheb Moedecai Myeks John Clough William Steward John Phelps Joseph Jacobs It was moved and seconded that Bro. Abraham Jacobs take the chair, which was unanimously agreed to. It was moved and seconded that Bro. act as secretary to this convention, which was unanimously agreed to. It was moved and seconded that the officers to fill the Council of Princes of Jerusalem be elected out of the brethren present, which was unanimously agreed to. The brethren then proceeded to vote, when it appeared that the following brothers were duly elected by unanimous vote officers of the proposed Council of Princes of Jerusalem: RiCHABD RiKEB, EsQ., Attomey-General, M. E. Sampson Simson, Esq., Attorney at Law, Scribe Colonel Andbew Sitcheb Daniel Beach, Esq. Jeremiah Shotwell. Joseph Jacobs, Tyler. The brethren then unanimously nominated and appointed the following brethren officers of the Sublime Lodge of Perfection: MoBDECAi Myers, S. G. M. John E. Ruckel, D. S. G. M. William T. Hunteb, S. G. S. W. William F. Steward, S. G. J. W. Benjamin Aycrigg, S. G. T. Samuel Riker, S. G. S. Joel Hart, G. 0. and K. S. John Clough, Capt. of the G. Stephen Scuddeb, Asst. Capt. of the G. THE POUNDING OF AURORA GRATA 5 It was then agreed that all the brethren should meet at the Washington Lodge room in Whitehall street on the 3d of November ensuing to obtain certificates and sign their submission, and that the officers of the Council and Lodge be then installed. During the next few days Jacobs conferred the degrees to and including Knight of the Sun upon the officers of the Council of Princes, the Master and Deputy Master of the Lodge of Perfection, and upon Thomas Lownds, High Priest of Jeru- salem Chapter of Royal Ajch Masons. On the 3d of November, seventeen brethren met at the rooms of Washington Lodge, of which Mordecai Myers was Past Master, when the certificates of the brethren were properly signed and they all subscribed their names to the "submission" or oath of fealty. The Council of Princes of Jeru- salem was duly opened and organized under the name of Concordia Crescimus, the officers were installed and the Council was closed. The Lodge of Perfection was then opened by Abraham Jacobs, after which Richard Riker was placed in the chair. Riker installed Mordecai Myers as Subhme Grand Master of the Sublime Lodge of Perfection, who in turn installed the other officers and closed the lodge. The next day, Friday the 4th of November, 1808, the following advertisement appeared 6 AURORA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH RITE in the New York Gazette and General Adver- tiser: Lux ex Tenebris Health, Stability and Power At a convention of the Grand Elect, Perfect and Sublime Masons P. J. K. S. &c., held at the Washington Lodge room, in the City of New York on the 13th of the month Hesvan 4493 corresponding to the 3d of November 1808, a grand Council of P. J. was duly chosen, and inducted into office according to the usages of this sublime and ancient insti- tution. Whereupon it was resolved that this public notice be given. By order of the Grand Council, Richard Riker, T. E. Attest: Sampson Simson, P. J. and G. S. nov 4, 3t Two days later, Sunday the 6th of November, the Council of Princes Concordia Crescimus was again opened at the Washington Lodge room, the following brethren being present: Abraham Jacobs, Thomas Lownds, Andrew Sitcher, Jere- miah ShotweU, Mordecai Myers, Daniel Beach, Sampson Simson, Richard Riker, John E. Ruckel, Joel Hart, and Joseph Jacobs. 111. John Gabriel Tardy, Deputy Inspector General, attended the Council in company with 111. Bros. John James Joseph Gourgas and Moses Levy Maduro Peixotto. Bro. Tardy produced his warrant and other ere- THE LODGE OF PERFECTION CHARTER 7 dentials, investigated the proceedings of the bre- thren, sanctioned and approved them, and prom- ised his protection and every assistance in his power. He placed in the chair Richard Riker, Thrice Equitable, delivered to him the Constitu- tions and invested him with aU the powers and prerogatives relating thereto by an instrument under his hand and seal, which was deUvered in the presence of 111. Bros. Peixotto, Gourgas, and John Baptist Desdoity. A committee of five, consisting of Bros. Tardy, Peixotto, Gourgas, Simson, and Abraham Jacobs, was appointed to correspond with all Supreme Councils and Subhme lodges; and a committee of three, consisting of Bros. Beach, Sitcher, and Abraham Jacobs, was appointed to prepare a code of by-laws for the Council. THE LODGE OF PERFECTION CHABTER At the same session, 6th of November, 1808, a warrant of constitution or charter passed the seal of the Council of Princes of Jerusalem Con- cordia Crescimus to the Sublime Grand Lodge of Perfection, under the name of Aurora Grata No. One — ^the first charter and apparently the only one granted by this Council of Princes . The text of that warrant is as follows : 8 AURORA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH RITE AD MAJOREM SUPREMI ARCHITECTI GLORIAM Lux ex Tenehris Health, Stability, & Power. From the East of the Grand Council of the Most Illustri- ous & Most Valiant Princes of Jerusalem, &c.". &c.\ &c.\ under the Celestial Canopy of the Zenith which answers to 40 degrees 23 Min. N. L. To our Illustrious, Perfect and Sublime Knights of the East, & Most Excellent Princes of Jerusalem &c.\ &c.". &c.". over the surface of the two Hemispheres. Know Ye, that We the Council of Princes of Jerusalem, by the name of Concordia Crescimus No.'. One in the City of New York, State of New York, North America '. Send Greeting: By and Virtue of the Powers vested in Us, by the Most Illustrious and Most Puissant Brethren John Gabriel Tar- dy, Sovereign Prince of the Royal Secret, Deputy Inspector General & Grand Master over all Lodges, Chapters, Coun- cils & Grand Councils, John Baptist Desdoity, John James Joseph Gourgas & Moses Levy Maduro Peixotto, Sovereign Princes of the Royal Secret, &c.'. &c.*. &c.". and under the special protection of the Most Puissant Princes and in their Place and Stead, at the request of Our Worthy and Well Beloved Brethren Mordecai Myers, John E. Ruckel, William F. Steward, William T. Hunter, Joel Hart, Stephen Phelps, Stephen Scudder, John Clough, Benja- min Aycrigg, Samuel Riker, Junr. & Joseph Jacobs; Have founded, estabhshed & Constituted & by these Presents, Do found, establish & constitute, a Sublime Lodge of Perfec- tion to be held in the City of New York, State of New York, or within Seventy-five Miles of it, under the Distinct Name of Aurora Grata, Number One & in order to reward their FAC-SIMILE OF CHARTER AURORA GRATA LODGE OF PERFECTION o). ^VrO w wTm Fl "■'■■'- 'v- Hi t " ^ ^ 1 ^ ' $ c r4. 3 i ^■v "> -5 ^ -^ ? ■{ '■j s !\ ■> i on ^' "^-/(^ . «• % .K -s"^ ^ 1 - * -i 1 1 1 < :H '^^ ■« i -~j .' f "v ^^ J "' -;; ^ >, ! - r^ *lf ".,-* 'i ^ V < '' i 1^ 1 .^. / 5 A -? yes- . 0^ "Ji ■t s;- ■t THE LODGE OF PERFECTION CHARTER 9 Zeal, Fervor & Constancy in the Great Works of the Royal Art, Have Nominated, Constituted and appointed, & Do hereby Nominate, Constitute & Appoint, the said our Well Beloved Brethren to be and compose the aforesaid Sublime Lodge of Perfection, approving, ratifying and con- firming the Choice they have made unanimously, of our said Brethren Mordecai Myers, Sublime Grand Master; John E. iRuckel, Sublime Deputy Grand Master; William F. Ste- ward, Sublime Grand Senior Warden; William T. Hunter, SubUme Grand Junior Warden; &c.". &c.'. &c."., with Power, Strength & Authority to them and their successors for ever to admit and Initiate Master Masons of the Blue Lodge &c.". &c.". &c.*.. Nominate, Elect & Install their Officers, &c. •. &c. •. &c. "., And Generally Do all such Things as to Sublime Lodges of Perfection Do belong & in any ways appertain. Conforming Themselves to all the Rules, Statutes and Regulations for the Government of Sublime Lodges, &c. •. &c. •- &c. •- which have or may be hereafter handed to them by the Supreme Tribunal of the Sovereign Princes of the Royal Secret, &c.*. &c.'. &c.*. Given under our hands and Seal of Our Council in the City of New York, State of New York, United States of America, the Sixteenth day of the 8th Month called Hes- van in the Year 5569, of the Restoration 2339, and of the Vulgar Mia the Sixth day of November, 1808. A. SiTCHEK R. RiKER M. *. E. •. B-^ K. :s. : T. '.E. ■. B-^ & K. '.S. '. Thos. Lownds DanieIi Beach m. •. b. •, b-^ & k. '.s. ■. g. '.t. ■. r-^ & k. '.s. ". Jeremiah Shotwell By Order of the Council, G. '.o. •- R-^ * K. -.s. •- Sampn. Simson, Gr. Secy. R-ii< & K. '.s. : (Seal) 10 AUKORA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH RITE This original warrant or charter is the patent of authority under which Aurora Grata Lodge of Perfection is working today, audit is in a remark- able state of preservation considering the hand- ling to which a lodge charter is necessarily exposed. The handwriting is that of 111. John James Joseph Gourgas, and it is penned with patient care and precision, not the least detail of punctuation, abbreviation, or Masonic charac- teristic being slighted in any particular. This document is believed to be the oldest purely Scottish Rite charter in existence today, issued with full knowledge of the Frederick Con- stitutions of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. It is true a warrant was granted in 1802 for a Sublime Grand Lodge in Savannah, but that body has been dead these hundred years. The warrant of Ineffable Lodge of Perfection at Albany, bearing date of the 20th of December, 1767,was granted under the old system or Rite of Perfection, and was confirmed and continued in force by the Supreme Council for the Northern Masonic Juris- diction. The size is nineteen by twenty-four inches and the material is parchment. It shows the stains and creases of a century of service, but the texture is as firm as the day the document was written, and the handwriting is as legible as THE LODGE OP PEBFECTION CHAETEK 11 when it was placed in the zealous care of Aurora Grata Lodge of Perfection on the 6th of Novem- ber, 1808. In granting this warrant Concordia Crescimus Council of Princes of Jerusalem acted entirely within its powers and jurisdiction. At that time Princes of Jerusalem were vested with many- privileges and prerogatives by virtue of their high rank. In the Grand Constitutions of 1786 it was declared that "The power of the Supreme Council does not interfere in any degree below the Seventeenth, or Knight of the East and West,' ' and Councils of Princes of Jerusalem not only granted charters for and controlled Lodges of Perfection, but governed the Symbolic degrees of the Scottish Rite in those jurisdictions where no Grand Lodge was estabUshed. The advertisement in the New York Gazette and General Advertiser was changed on Tuesday, 8th of November, 1808, to read as follows : Lux ex Tenebris Health, Stabilitt and Power TO all whom it may concern, be it known, that a Grand Lodge of ineffable and sublime Masons has been duly con- stituted and established under the jurisdiction of the Grand Council of K. S. &c. &c. &c. of the state of New York 12 AURORA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH RITE for the purpose of conferring the ineffable degrees of Masonry. By order of the Sublime Grand Lodge, M. Myers, T. P. A. R. 2339 S. RiKER, Jun., S. G. S. 17th Hesvan 5569 nov. 7-3t This advertisement appeared in the issues of Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday of that week. NOTIFICATION TO CHARLESTON SUPREME COUNCIL Within a week a letter was addressed to the Supreme Council at Charleston in the following terms: New York, 14th of November, 1808. Health, Stability and Power Most Respectable and Illustrwus Brethren: It is with pleasure I inform you that I have, by request some of the most respectable citizens. Master Masons of the Blue Lodge, and many of them members of the Royal Arch Chapter established in this community, conferred on them the Sublime degrees of Masonry and established a Council of Princes of Jerusalem in this city on Thursday, the 13th day of Hesvan, 5569, answering to the 3d inst., which proceedings have been sanctioned by the T. 111. John G. Tardy, K. H., Deputy Inspector General by full Patent and Power invested in him, which he has produced to our satisfaction, and is in possession of every requisite for LETTER TO CHARLESTON SUPREME COUNCIL 13 establishing the Council of K H., &c — who, in company with our Illustrious Brethren John James Joseph Gourgas, Moses Levy Maduro Peixotto and John Baptist Desdoity, K H. and P. of the R. S., attended our Convention on the 6th inst, when our 111. Bro. John G. Tardy, acknowledged our proceedings legal, by granting dispensation under his hand and seal as Deputy Inspector General, authorizing our Council to put a Sublime Lodge in operation in this city under our jurisdiction, which proceedings were also confirmed to be legal by a Certificate of Approbation under the hands and seals of the Illustrious Brothers Gourgas, Peixotto and Desdoity, K. H. and P. of the R. S., at the foot of said Dispensation, by virtue of which power we are now established and congregated. I've transmitted you a list of the members composing our Council and Lodge, and from their respectability no doubt will be pleasing to your Supreme Council. As a Mason, I think we shall become one among the most respectable Sublime Councils and Lodges now in operation. I commenced this business on the 4th of October, 1804, and have been regularly progressing until its present accom- plishment, on which we immediately advertised in the daily papers, to which refer you. A Committee has been appointed by this Council, to address your Supreme body; they will transmit you our proceedings which are now in hand to forward for your inspection, and flatter myself, from their legality, you will give your assent and support to the infant institution in this metropolis, which wiU afford us much satisfaction. By request of the members, I am desired to inform you that we shall be happy in holding a brotherly correspondence, and when opportunity offers, be much gratified by a visit from any of your respec- 14 AURORA GRATA A. A. SCOTTiaH RITE table Council, or their recommendation. Your approba- tion of our proceedings and brotherly reply to this as soon as convenient by post, will be deemed a favor conferred on Illustrious Brethren. Your affectionate Brother, Abu:. Jacobs, k. s., &c. To the Thrice Illustrious and Respectable Colonel John Mitchell, Grand Commander of the Thirty- third. Officers and Members composing the Supreme Council in the Grand East of Charleston, South Carolina. THE POUNDERS OP AURORA GRATA Most of the founders of Aurora Grata Lodge of Perfection were Past Masters, and many of them trod even higher rounds of "the ladder which leads to fame in our mystic circle." MoRDECAi Myers, firat Master of Aurora Grata Lodge of Perfection, held many offices in the Grand Lodge of the State of New York. He was Deputy Grand Master from 1829 to 1835, and Grand Master of the Phillips Grand Lodge from 1852 to 1856, when he became an Honorary Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York. In the Grand Royal Arch Chapter he was Deputy Grand High Priest for three years and Grand High Priest in 1834. He was born in 1776 in Newport, Rhode Island, but he resided principally in New York State, THE F0UNDEB8 OF AUEOEA GRATA 15 where he rendered military service on the northern border throughout the War of 1812. A severe wound received in the Battle of Chrys- ler's Field, where he lost nearly a third of his command, caused his transferrence to the retired hst in 1815. For six years he reprented an influential constituency in the Legislature, and he served two terms as Mayor of Schenectady, where he died in 1871 at the age of ninety-four. Major Myers was possessed of a clear mind and a strong will, and the fact that with all the hard- ships incident to the hfe of a soldier in the War of 1812, he lived to be nearly ninety-five years of age, is evidence that he had a robust constitu- tion. Physically he was of very large propor- tions, and he had a clear and keen black eye, giving evidence of the strong inteEectual power of the man. On the 8th of November, 1808, 111. Bro. Tardy raised Bros. Mordecai Myers, Daniel D. Thomp- kins, Richard Riker, Sampson Simson, and Abraham Jacobs to the Grade of Sovereign Prince of the Royal Secret, Thirty-second degree, and dehvered to them patents as such. These patents also are in the handwriting of 111, Bro. Gourgas, and they bear the same seals as the Aurora Grata Charter. The patent issued to Bro. Myers reads: 16 AURORA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH RITE UNIVERSI TERRARUM ORBIS ARCHITECTONIS PER GLORIAM INGENTIS* Deus Metjmque Jus Ordo ab Chao From the East of the Grand, of the most Puissant Coun- cil of the Most Valiant Princes & Sublime Masons of the Royal Secret &c. •. &c. *. &c. *. Under the Celestial Canopy of the Zenith, which answers to 40 Degrees 23 Minutes North Latitude. To our Illustrious & Most Valiant Knights & Princes of Free, Accepted & Perfect Masons of all Degrees, over the Surface of the Two Hemispheres, Greeting: We, John Gabriel Tardy, P.-. M.-.; Grand Elect, Perfect & Sublime Mason; Knight of the East; Pee. of Jerm.; &c.'. &c. '.Ac. •. ; Patriarch Noachite; Knight of the Sun; & of the White and Black Eagle; &c.*. &c.*. &c.".; Sovereign Pee. of the Royal Secret, Deputy Inspector General, & Grand Master over all Lodges, Chapters, Councils, Colleges & Grand Councils of the Superior Degrees of Ancient & Modern Masonry over the Surface of the Two Hemispheres, by Patent from the Grand Council of Princes of Masons at Philadelphia in Pennsylvania, One of the United States of America, &c.". &c. •. &c.*.; Under the Special Protection of the Most Puissant Princes and in their Place and Stead, Do Certify and Attest unto all Free & Valiant Princes of Free and Accepted Masons &c. •. &c. •. &c. •. that our dear Brother Mordecai Myers of New York, aged Thirty-two, is known to be a P.*. M.'.; Grand Elect, Perfect & Sublime Mason; Knight of the East; Prince of Jerusalem; Knight of the Pelican or Rose->i( &c. •. &c. •. &c. *. ; Patriarch Noa- *See fac-simile in the Appendix. THE FOUNDERS OP AURORA GRATA 17 chite; & Knight of the Sun; & That having with firmness & constancy sustained the Brightness of the Grand Lumi- nary, given us the most Solid Proofs of his Fervency, Con- stancy and Zeal in the Support of the Royal Craft and of his Submission to the Supreme Tribunal of the Sovereign Princes of the Royal Secret; We have elevated and initi- ated him to the Sublime Degrees of Knight of the White and Black Eagle; & Sovn. Prince of the Royal Secret. We therefore Pray All Respectable Brethren, Knights and Princes of Masonry to receive our dear Brother Morde- cai Myers in his Respectable qualities and to entertain him favourably in every thing relative to them; Promising to have the same regard to those who shall present themselves to us, furnished with Proper and authentic Titles. To which We, John Gabriel Tardy, have hereimto sub- scribed our Name and affixed our Seal at arms, as also the Grand Seal of Princes of Masons in this Place where the Greatest Treasures are deposited, the Beholding of which fills us with Comforts, Joy & acknowledgment of all that is Great and Good, Near the B.'.B.*- and C.".C.*., at New York, State of New York, this Eighteenth day of the Eighth Month called Hesvan of the Year 5569, of the Restoration 2339 & of the Vulgar Mra. the Eighth day of November, 1808. J. G. Tardy (Seal) Dy. Gr. Insp. Gal. (Seal) Sampson Simson, Past Master of Clinton Lodge No. 143,* was elected and installed Grand Treasurer of the Grand Lodge in 1811 and served * United with St. John's No. 1 in 1834. 18 ATJROEA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH BITE for three years. He was defeated for that office in 1814 by Bro. John W. MuUigan, but in June of the succeeding year the same brethren were again put in nomination and Bro. Simson was elected. Upon the formation of the Supreme Council for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction in 1813 he became Lieutenant Grand Commander, and upon the death of Most 111. Daniel D. Tomp- kins in 1825 became the second Sovereign Grand Commander, an office which he held until 1832, when he was succeeded by 111. John James Joseph Gourgas. His death occurred in New York in January, 1857, in his seventy-seventh year. Richard Riker was the first District Attor- ney of New York, serving as such from 1801 to 1814 inclusive, with the exception of a brief period. The office at that time included the counties of New York, Kings, Suffolk, Rich- mond, and Westchester. He was Recorder of the city of New York in 1815-1819, 1821-1823 and 1824-1838, and his portrait as such hangs in the Criminal Court Building, New York. THE SUBLIME GRAND CONSISTORY On the 24th of November, 1808, officers were elected in the Subhme Grand Consistory of THE SUBLIME GRAND CONSISTOBY 19 Sovereign Princes of the Royal Secret which had been established in the city of New York on the 6th of August, 1806, and certificates of their election and appointment to oflBce were dehvered to them. These certificates are of pecuhar historical interest for the reason that they are among the earliest existing original documents in which occur the words " " Sover- eign Grand Inspectors General of the Thirty- third Degree." The text of the certificate issued to Bro. Morde- cai Myers is as follows : UNIVERSI TERRARUM ORBIS ARCHITECTONIS PER GLORIAM INGENTIS* Deus Meumqub Jus Ordo ab Chao From the East of the Grand, of the Most Puissant Coun- cil of the Most Valiant Princes & Sublime Masons of the Royal Secret, &c.'.&c.*.&c.\ Under the Celestial Canopy of the Zenith, which answers to 40 D. 23 M. N. L. To our Illustrious, Most Valiant & Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret, Knights of K-H. •., Illustrious Princes and Knights, Grand, Ineffable & Sublime, Free & Accepted Masons of all Degrees, Ancient & Modem over the Surface of the Two Hemispheres. * See fac-simile in the Appendix. 20 AUHORA GKATA A. A. SCOTTISH BITE To all Those to Whom these Letters shall come: We the Sublime Grand Consistory of Sovereign Princes of the Royal Secret of the 30th.-., 31st.-. & 32d.-. Degrees, duly and legally Established at and in the City and State of New York, one of the United States of America Send Greeting Know Ye, That We, the said Sublime Grand Consistory &c.-. &c.-. &c.-. By and in Virtue of our Rights and Pre- rogatives, as also of the Powers vested in Us, Have this day at High Meridian unanimously Nominated, Elected and Appointed Ova Worthy and Well Beloved Brother Mordecai Myers to be Our Grand Introductor, in our said Sublime Grand Consistory For and During the Space of Three Years, Which office he having been pleased to accept of, We have installed him with all Honors and according to our Ancient Usages, & Do hereby Approve, Ratify and Confirm Whatever our said Illustrious Brother may Do, which belong or in any ways appertain to his above Speci- fied Eminent Situation amongst Us, conformable however to all the Rules', Statutes & Regulations of all the Different Degrees, which have or may be enacted hereafter, By the Supreme Tribunal of Sovereign Grand Inspectors General of the 33d Degree. Given under our Hands & Grand Seals of Princes of Masons, in the Place where the Greatest Treasures are deposited, the Beholding of which fills us with comforts, Joy and Acknowledgment of all that is Great and Good, Near the B.-.B.-. and C.-.C.-. at Our Grand Coimcil Cham- ber, in the City and State of New York, this Fourth day of the Ninth month called Kislev of the Year 6569, of the ENDORSEMENT ON CHARTER 21 Restoration 2339 and of the Vulgar ^Era this 24th day of November, 1808. R. RiKER J. G. Tardy s.-.p.-.R.*.s.-. & G.-.w.-. Depty. Insp. Gal. Sov. of Sov. John B. Desdoity, Lt. Com. R->Jc K. ".H. ".s. ".p. ".R. '.s. •. Depy. Ins. Gal. &c. &c. «&c. Sampn. Simson Mos. L. Mad. Peixotto K. '.H. '.s. '.P. ".R. '.s. •. Depy. Ins. Gal. Gr. Treasurer &G.".C.*. OFG.'. Ab. Jacobs By Order of the Subn. Gd. Consy.. B-li< K.-.H.". J. J. J. GOTJRGAS, s.".p.-.B.'.s.\ GD. AT. Gd. Secy., &c. '.(fee. ".Ac. r.".^ Eco. K-H, s.'.p.'.R.'.s.'. (Seal) (Seal) Depy. Inspr. Gal. &c. ".(fee. '.&c. : On the 2d of April, 1809, the Grand Consistory made endorsement on the back of the Lodge of Perfection warrant in the following terms : UNIVERSI TERRARUM ORBIS ARCHITECTONIS PER GLORIAM INGENTIS Deus Meumque Jus Ordo ab Chao We the Sublime Grand Consistory of Sovereign Princes of the Royal Secret of the 30th.-., 31st.-. & 32d.-. Degrees duly & legally established at and in the City and State of New York, one of the United States of America Do hereby Approve, Ratify and confirm in its full force, the Warrant of Constitutions, on the other side granted on 22 AUEOEA GEATA A. A. SCOTTISH KITE the Sixteenth day of the Eighth month called Hesvan of the Year 5569 By our Most Illustrious Council of Princes of Jerusalem, by the Distinct name Concordia Crescimus No.-. One; To the Lodge of Grand Elect, Perfect & Sub- lime Masons, by the Distinct Name of Aueoka Grata, No.". One, held in this City of New York In Testimony Whereof, We have delivered the Present under our Hands and Grand Seals of Princes of Masons in the Place where the Greatest Treasures are deposited, the contemplation of which fills us with Comfort, Joy and Acknowledgment of all that is Great and Good, Near the B.".B.-. and C.".C.". at our Grand Council Chamber in the City and State of New York, this Sixteenth day of the first Month called Nisan of the Year 5570, of the Restoration 2340 & of the Vulgar Mrs, the second day of April, 1809. R. RiKEK J. G. Taedy s.\p.'.R.".s.".&G.".w.-. Depy. Insp. Gal., Sov. of Sov. K.".H.\s.'.p.'.B.'.s.\ Mos. L. Mad. Peixotto & G.-.c.-.OF G.-. Dy. Insp. Genl., G.-.Treas.-. Sampn. Simson M. Myeks By order of the Subn. Gd. Consy. K.-.H.-.S.-.P.-.E.-.S.'. & G.M.-. J. J. J. GOITEGAS Ab. Jacobs Gd. Secy., &c.-.&c.-.&c.-. K.Mj(K-H.-.S.'.P.-.E.'.S.'. Gd. At. Thomas Lownds, Engr. E.-.^ K-H.-.S.-.P.-.B.-.S.-. (Seal) (Seal) Joel Hart K. -.H. -.s. '.p. '.E. ".s. ".G. '.H. •. THE SUPREME COUNCIL, N. M. J. The New York brethren were not without their trials from the start. In 1806 Joseph Cemeau ENDORSEMENTS ON CHARTER AURORA GRATA LODGE OF PERFECTION THE SUPREME COUNCIIi, N. M. J. 23 received a patent from Mathieu Dupotet creating him a Deputy Grand Inspector of the Rite of Heredom for the northern part of the Island of Cuba, with power to initiate Masons in the degrees of the Rite of Heredom from the Fourth to the Twenty-fourth, provided they were officers of a lodge, and upon one only each year. A few months later Cerneau arrived in New York, and finding much ignorance on the part of Masons generally as to the Rite of Heredom he disre- garded the limitation in his patent and induced a large number of Masons to receive at his hands degrees which he had no authority to confer. In 1807 he issued a warrant for a Consistory in New York, which was not organized however until late in 1808. This was a Consistory of the Rite of Heredom of Twenty-five degrees. In a docu- ment issued by this body on the 5th of May,1812, the title used is "Grand Consistory for the United States of America, Territories and dependencies, of Supreme Chiefs of Exalted Masonry, according to the Ancient Constitutional Rite of Heredom." There is nothing to show that up to this time this body claimed to be anything other than its title pretends — & Grand Consistory of the Rite of Heredom. A controversy arose between the Grand Consistory of the Rite of Heredom which claimed jurisdiction over Twenty-five degrees, 24 AUEOEA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH BITE and the Sublime Grand Consistory of the Thirtieth, Thirty-first and Thirty-second degrees, acknowl- edging allegiance to the Supreme Council of the Thirty-third degree of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite at Charleston, and in 1813 Cerneau created his "Supreme Council of Grand Inspec- tors General of the Thirty-third Degree" and soon adopted the scale of degrees of the Scottish Rite. This "Supreme Council" had only a nominal existence, for it was declared in their pubUshed documents that "the sole power of granting constitutional charters for Masonic in- stitutions within the United States of America, their territories and dependencies, from the Secret Master, Fourth Degree, to that of Grand Inspector General, Thirty-third, exists only with the Sovereign Grand Consistory of the Supreme Chiefs of Exalted Masonry." The document from which this is quoted bears the seal of his "M. P. Sov. Gr. Consistory," and the word Scot- tish is inserted in the title so as to read "the Ancient Constitutional Scottish Rite of Here- dom." In a circular dated the 28th of February, 1814, and issued over the signatures of seven members of the bodies organized by Cemeau, it was as- serted that the Council of Princes of Jerusalem Concordia Crescimus and Aurora Grata Lodge THE SUPEEME COUNCIL, N. M. J. 25 of Perfection were irregular, and that "some individuals who had assisted in these irregular proceedings, convinced of their error, applied for and received the degrees depending on this Con- sistory." The "some individuals" consisted of Thomas Lownds, who had been installed Grand Master of the Lodge of Perfection and who violated his obligation by going over to the Cemeau camp and taking with him the charter of the Lodge. His name appears promptly thereafter as "Grand Inspector of the Thirty- third degree" among the "Supreme Chiefs of Exalted Masonry," and there are those who sur- mise that this rank among them was the price paid for broken faith. This episode is treated in the following words in a document issued by the Supreme Council at Charleston under date of the 5th of September, 1814: "Those acts of some 'individuals' as alluded to in the elaborate pamphlet, when investigated, will be found to be the proceedings of one individual, who may be noted by his having repaid kindness by going over to Mr. Cemeau's Grand Society, and refusing afterwards to give up and return the warrant then in his possession as Grand Master of the Sublime Grand Lodge of Perfection the Aurora Grata." Opposite the name of Thomas Lownds in the register kept by 111. John James Joseph Gourgas 26 AUBORA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH EITE is the word Traitor in Bro. Gourgas's own hand- writing. Owing to these irregularities and the contro- versies to which they gave rise 111. Emanuel de la Motta, Treasurer-General H. E. of the Charles- ton Supreme Council, deemed it advisable to estabhsh the second Supreme Council for the United States as provided by the Constitutions of 1786 of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. On the 5th of August, 1813, he met in New York 111. Bros. Sampson Simsonand John James Joseph Gourgas, informed them of his determination to estabhsh another Supreme Council in conform- ity to the Frederick Constitutions, and invited them to assist in that all-important duty. De la Motta made them acquainted with the Thirty- third degree and proclaimed them as lawful Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Inspectors General of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. They three then formed themselves into a provisional Supreme Council of the Thirty-third degree, as follows : Emanuei. de la Motta, M. Puis. Sov. Gr. Commander. Sampson Simson, M. 111. Ins. Lieut. Gr. Commander. John James Joseph Gourgas, M. 111. Gr. Secretary- General H. E. They then introduced separately, one after THE SUPREME COUNCIL, N. M. J. 27 the other, the following Most Illustrious Breth- ren: Daniel D. Tompkins, Rose Croix, K-H., S. P. R. S. Richard Riker, Rose Croix, K-H, S. P. R. S. John Gabriel Tardy, Deputy Gr. Inspector General. Moses L. M. Peixotto, Deputy Gr. Inspector General. When they had severally and singly gone through the regular order and form of reception they were formally acknowledged and pro- claimed lawful Sovereign Grand Inspectors Gen- eral of the Thirty-third degree. By virtue of priority 111. Bros. Simson and Gourgas were privileged to fill the first two ofiices of the Supreme Council, but they waived their right and prerogative and the first officers of the Supreme Council for the Northern Masonic Juris- diction of the United States were selected as f oUows : Daniel D. Tompkins, M. 111. Sov. Gr. Commander. Sampson Simson, M. 111. Inspector Lieut. Gr. Com- mander. John G. Tardy, M. 111. Gr. Treasurer-General H. E. John James Joseph Gourgas, M. HI. Gr. Secretary- General H. E. Richard Riker, 111. Gr. Master of Ceremonies. Moses L. M. Peixotto, 111. Captain of the Guard. 28 AURORA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH RITE 111. Bro. De la Motta then proclaimed them as "lawfully formed, organized and established at the Grand East of the City of New York, State of New York, and the only Grand and Supreme Council of the Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Inspectors General of the Thirty-third degree which may legally and constitutionally exist for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of the United States of North America; and for them as such and their legal successors ever to enjoy in future all and every their sovereign powers, rights and prerogatives lawfully per- taining to them as Supreme Chiefs of Ancient and Modern Free and Accepted Masonry, over the surface of the two hemispheres, conformably to the Grand Constitutions, etc." On September 21st of the same year. 111. Bro. De la Motta published another proclamation, this one referring specifically to the estabhshment of Concordia Crescimus Council of Princes of Jeru- salem and Aurora Grata Lodge of Perfection: To all to whom these letters shall come: Union, Contentment, Wisdom Know ye, That we, the undersigned Emanuel de la Motta, K-H, Sublime Prince of the Royal Secret, Sover- eign Grand Inspector-General of the Thirty-third degree, Illustrious Treasurer-General of the Holy Empire, in the PKOCLAMATION BY SUPREME COUNCIL 29 United States of America, by and in virtue of our high powers, rights and prerogatives, also under the immediate and special protection of the aforesaid Grand and Supreme Council of the Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Inspectors General of the Thirty-third degree, sitting at Charleston, S. C, and in their place and stead: Having been applied to by our most Illustrious and well-beloved Brethren, John James Joseph Gourgas, John Gabriel Tardy, Moses Levy Maduro Peixotto, merchants, Deputy Inspectors General and Grand Masters (under the old system of 1762) ; His Excellency Daniel D. Tompkins, Governor of the State of New York, Bichard Biker and Sampson Simson, Coun- sellors at Law, all of them Masters and Past Masters of Symbolic Lodges, etc., etc., etc.. Royal Arch Masons, Grand Elect, Perfect and Sublime Masons, etc., etc., etc.. Princes of Jerusalem, etc., etc., etc., Sovereign Princes of R-iJt of H-R-D-M, etc., etc., etc., to examine and investi- gate particular: First, Their patents, powers and other documents by means of which the Thrice Illustrious Brethren John Gabriel Tardy, John B. Desdoity, John James Joseph Gourgas, Pierre Adrien Du Peyrot and Lewis De Saulles, R->ii, K-H, S. P. R. S., Inspectors, etc., etc., etc., on the 6th day of August, 1806, did first form and establish in this City of New York a sublime Grand Consistory of Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret, 30th, 31st and 32d degrees; Secondly, That on the 3d day of November, 5808, the Grand Council of the Most Excellent and Most Valorous Princes of Jerusalem was lawfully opened in the City of New York by and in the presence of the Thrice Puissant and Most Illustrious Brethren John G. Tardy, John B. Desdoity, John James Joseph Gourgas, Moses Levy 30 AURORA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH RITE Maduro Peixotto, R-^, S. P. R. S., Deputy Inspectors General K-H, aided and assisted by nine Most Excellent Princes of Jerusalem; Thirdly, That on the 6th day of November, 5808, a warrant of constitution passed the seal of the aforesaid Grand Council of Princes of Jerusalem for the establish- ment in this City of a Sublime Grand Lodge of Grand Elect, Perfect and Subhme Masons under the distinct appella- tion of Aurora Grata; Fourthly, The several communications relative thereto which at different times had been addressed by them to the Grand and Supreme Council of the Most Puissant Sovereigns, Grand Inspectors General of the Thirty-third degree at Charleston, S. C; Fifthly and finally. Their proceedings diuing the very unpleasant and delicate circumstances which had para- lyzed them, as it were, from their commencement and prevented them through prudence, caution and the good of the illustrious Order in general from getting into full operation imtil the period at which they might with every propriety make good and ensure their claim, sanctioned by lawful authority; In consequence whereof I do hereby most solemnly declare that having found the whole of their patents, powers and other documents relative thereto perfectly lawful, their conduct and proceedings in every point of view regular and praiseworthy, and having been waited upon by a grand deputation, I, the undersigned, in my aforesaid capacity, attended a meeting of their Sublime Grand Consistory at which, after a minute investigation and full inspection of all things whatever relative thereto, being independent of all other things, fully convinced that PROGRESS OF THE RITE 31 they were the oldest possessors and real founders of the Superior Degree of Masonry at this Grand East of New York, I signed their registers, patents and all other papers and documents thereto belonging, on the 5th day of August, 1813. Interest in the new bodies was limited in extent, for it was intended that the higher degrees of the Scottish Rite should be conferred only on the zealous Mason and student capable of appreciating the higher arcana unfolded in them. In 1822 Giles Fonda Yates became interested in Ineffable Lodge of Perfection and the Grand Council of Princes of Jerusalem founded at Albany in 1767, and established four other Lodges of Perfection in neighboring towns. In 1824 a Consistory was organized at Albany, and bodies of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite were estabUshed at Boston in the same year. The following year Joseph McCosh, a special deputy of the Southern Supreme Coun- cil, conferred the Thirty-third degree upon Yates, who in 1828 took the oath of fealty to and became a member of the Supreme Council for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. "the ruthless hand of ignorance" In 1826 a book entitled Illustrations of Free- masonry was printed at Batavia, New York, and 32 AUHOKA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH RITE one William Morgan was credited with its author- ship. A short time afterward Morgan disap- peared, and the Fraternity was charged with his murder. The disappearance of Morgan was eagerly and successfully seized upon by a num- ber of local politicians who sought preferment by raising a hue and cry against Masonry. From western New York State the anti-Masonic excite- ment spread until it became a mighty political wave, wreaking destruction on the Order on every hand. No less than a hundred and forty anti-Masonic newspapers sprang up throughout the country, and the hysteria seized upon hun- dreds of thousands of men on every level of poli- tical, social, and commercial Ufe. Among the most violent defamers of the Craft were those who ^vdthdrew from their lodges, and for poUti- cal advancement and popular applause reviled their Masonic brethren and joined rabidly in the cry against the institution. Cadwallader D. Golden, Senior Grand Warden of the Grand Lodge for five years, and who owed much of his professional and political success to members of the Fraternity, threw himself into the arena and denounced the institution in the severest terms; but he failed to reach the goal of his ambition — the office of Governor of the State. The follow- ing figures tell the extent of the havoc : In 1826 EMERGING FROM THE ECLIPSE 33 there were about five-hundred lodges on the roll of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York; in 1846 there were but sixty-five. In 1835 only forty-nine lodges were represented in Grand Lodge, In Vermont every lodge either surren- dered its charter or became dormant. EMERGING FROM THE ECLIPSE Sublime Freemasonry did not escape the fury, for Masons professing the high degrees were even more to be persecuted than members of Sym- bolic lodges only. As early as 1841, however, 111. Bros. Gourgas and Yates conferred together and opened correspondence with others of the Rite with a view to resuming active work. Gourgas had become Sovereign Grand Commander and Yates Lieutenant Grand Coromander under the law of succession of the Scottish Rite, and in 1844 they crowned four Sovereign Grand Inspec- tors General and proclaimed them members of the Supreme Council for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. Other members were added in 1845, charters were granted for new bodies and dormant lodges were revived. At the meeting of the Supreme Council held the 4th of September, 1851, 111. Bro. Gourgas resigned as Grand Commander and was succeeded 34 AURORA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH RITE by Yates. The following day Yates resigned the office of Grand Commander and Edward A. Raymond was installed as his successor. In April, 1852, the Supreme Council published the following decree : Whereas by a resolution heretofore adopted Grand Coun- cils of Princes of Jerusalem were required to inspect and watch over Lodges of Perfection within their respective districts; and whereas since the adoption of such regula- tion this Supreme Coimcil has decreed the appointment of District Deputies who are charged with the performance of Uke duties, therefore, Decreed that the aforesaid regulation be and the same is hereby rescinded. Thereafter warrants for subordinate bodies of whatever degree have emanated from the Su- preme Council. This has permitted a closer regu- lation of the subordinate bodies for the general good of the Rite, has allowed the keeping of statistical and other records, and the unifica- tion of rituals and work. progress; dissension; harmony In 1848 Bro. Yates and four others received from the Supreme Council a warrant for a Lodge of Perfection, a Grand Council of Princes of Jerusalem, and a Chapter of Rose Croix in New PBOGEESs; dissension; harmony 36 York City. These bodies brought together many nonaflBliated Scottish Rite Masons of the vicinity, and they were so successful in their work that several brothers, headed by M. W. WiUiam H. Milnor, Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York, petitioned and received a warrant for another Lodge of Perfection and Council of Princes of Jerusalem in 1852. Up to this time the Supreme Council was most harmonious and the Rite was slowly but satisfactorily extending; but when the future seemed most rosy a con- troversy grew out of Grand Commander Ray- mond's contention that all the powers of Fred- erick were vested in him as Grand Commander, while other members maintained that they rested in the Supreme Council as a body. In August, 1860, the break came. A discussion arose in the Council, when Raymond declared "there are unmistakable indications of insubordination, and a manifest disposition on the part of certain members to disregard their constitutional obli- gations and usurp the power and authority of the Sovereign Grand Commander, ' ' and thereupon closed the Supreme Council. Several of the Inspectors General who attended the session felt that the Sovereign Grand Commander had acted arbitrarily, and upon the advice of Gourgas reopened the Supreme Council and proceeded 36 AUHOKA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH RITE with the business. Raymond disregarded what- ever action was taken after he had closed the Council, and both parties pubUshed Proceedings for I860.- Both of these factions continued to confer degrees and operate as a Supreme Coimcil. Raymond remained at the head of his followers, and in 1862 KiUian H. Van Rensselaer was elected Grand Commander of the other body, each using the name "Supreme Council for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction." At a session of the Ray- mond body held on the 15th of December, 1860, the Thirty-third degree was conferred upon Charles T. McClenachan of New York, a name most intimately associated with Scottish Rite Masonry thereafter, and with the Aurora Grata bodies in particular. In spite of the controversies between these contending bodies they waxed strong and had large accessions of distinguished and prominent Masons. At this time there were three Supreme Councils claiming jurisdiction over the Northern part of the United States — ^the two factions of the Supreme Council over which 111. John James Joseph Gourgas had served as Sovereign Grand Commander, and a body styled the "Supreme Council, etc., for the United States of North America, its Territories and Dependencies," and UNION OF SUPREME COUNCILS 37 claiming descent from Joseph Cerneau. This body, presided over by Edmund B. Hays, made overtures to the Raymond body for a union of the two as early as April, 1862, and committees were appointed by each for the purpose of effect- ing a consolidation. In January, 1863, both bodies gave their committees full power to act, and on the 7th of February of the same year articles of union were adopted consolidating the two Councils. On April 15th following Hays was agreed upon as Sovereign Grand Commander and proceeded to install the officers. Edward A. Raymond became Associate Sovereign Grand Commander, and Simon W. Robinson, who had remained with Raymond at the time of the dis- ruption of the Northern Supreme Council, became First lieutenant-Commander. In recent years the claim has been made (for a purpose) that the Raymond body was merged into and healed by the Hays body. This is disproved by the articles of union, which exphcitly state that the two Supreme Councils were "consolidated upon terms honorable and just ahke to all parties interested therein," and by the further facts that all members of the old bodies were required to take the oath of fealty to the united Council, and that subordinate bodies were required to take out new charters. In addition to this the 38 AURORA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH RITE fact that the officers were installed again into offices already held by them under the ad vitam tenure most effectually disposes of this claim. In his address to his Supreme Council in 1862, Van Rensselaer referred to the adhesion of the New York bodies to the Raymond Council and stated that upon consultation with many worthy brethren of that city he had decided to act upon an application for warrants for bodies in New York, and in May of that year had issued to a number of brethren, among whom were two Past Grand Masters of Masons in the State (WiUiam H. Mil- nor and Joseph D. Evans) a dispensation to open a Consistory in New York city. At the same session the Supreme Council ordered that dis- pensations be granted to the members of the new Consistory empowering them to organize a Grand Lodge of Perfection, a Council of Princes of Jerusalem, and a Chapter of Rose Croix. The following year Joseph D. Evans was crowned Sovereign Grand Inspector General, Thirty-third degree, and elected an active member of the Van Rensselaer Supreme Council. Upon the applica- tion of Joseph D. Evans, 33°, Van Rensselaer granted to Bros. William J. Munn, Wiljiam A. Evans, Thomas Bishop, Charles Hodges, William T. Colbron, and Joseph D. Evans, 33°, a dispen- sation under date of the 19th of May, 1866, to VAN RENSSELAER BODIES IN BROOKLYN 39 open and hold a Lodge of Perfection in the city of Brooklyn under the name of lily Grand Lodge of Perfection; and upon application of the same brothers he granted a dispensation for a Coun- cil of Princes of Jerusalem in Brookljoi to be known as Rabboni Council of Princes of Jeru- salem. These bodies were organized on the 15th of June of the same year. AURORA GRATA REVIVED N the meantime 111. Charles T. McClenachan, 33°, Grand Mas- ter-General of Ceremonies of the Hayes-Raymond Council, had appUed to 111. Orrin Welch, 33°, Deputy for the State of New York, for authority to confer the degrees of the Rite upon sixteen Master Masons of Brooklyn and revive Aurora Grata Lodge of Perfection, whose charter was now in the possession of 111. Daniel Sickels, 33°. A dispensation to reopen Aurora Grata Lodge of Perfection and confer degrees was granted by the Deputy on the 31st of March, 1866. Dispensations quickly followed for a Council of Princes of Jerusalem, a Chapter of Rose Croix, and a Consistory, all bearing the name Aurora Grata. On the 19th of April, 1866, Aurora Grata Council of Princes of Jeru- 42 AURORA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH RITE salem and Chapter of Rose Croix were convened at the rooms of Montauk Lodge, 13 Court street, and regularly opened by 111. Charles T. McClena- chan, 33°, with the assistance of Bros. Daniel Sickels, 33°, Ebenezer Shaw, 33°, Charles W. Wil- lets, 33°, William T. Anderson, 32°, George W. Stebbins, 32°, Frederick B. Swift, 32°, and William Draper, 32°. The following thirteen Grand Elect Masons, members of Aurora Grata Lodge of Perfection, were then introduced and received the Fifteenth and Sixteenth degrees by communication: John H. Rhodes, Edward H. Craige, William H. Wallace, L. Horatio Biglow, Colin lightbody, Jr., James Armstrong, John Ferguson, John N. Wyckoff, Jr., William M. Little, Edwin Gates, C. H. Pelletreau, Jr., H. S. Archer, James Kain, John T. Ellis, and John H. Wood. 111. Bro. McClenachan delivered to them the dispensation for the formation of the Council of Princes of Jerusalem, and officers were named fortheensuing year. The Council was then closed and a Chapter of Rose Croix duly opened. The Princes of Jerusalem just created were intro- duced, received the Seventeenth and Eighteenth degrees by communication, and the dispensation for the estabhshment of Aurora Grata Chapter of Rose Croix was placed in their hands by 111. Bro. McClenachan. Five days later, 22d of AURORA GRATA CONSISTORY 43 April, the Chapter of Rose Croix was convened at the same place and officers were elected as follows : William T. Anderson, M. W. P. M. R. C. Gurnet, M. E. P. K S. W. William H. Wallace, M. E. P. K. J. W. John W. Simons, 33°, R. P. K. G. 0. John N. Wyckoff, Jr., R. P. K. G. S. C. H. Pelletreau, Jr., R. P. K. G. T. By virtue of the dispensation he held 111. Bro. McClenachan convened a Consistory of the An- cient Accepted Scottish Rite at the Montauk lodge rooms on the 12th of May, assisted by the same illustrious brethren who had aided him in the establishment of the Council of Princes of Jerusalem and the Chapter of Rose Croix. The degrees from the Nineteenth to the Thirty-second inclusive were then conferred by communication upon Bros. John H. Rhodes, Edward H. Craige, WiUiam H. Wallace, L. Horatio Biglow, John N. Wyckofif, Jr., WiUiam M. Little, Edwin Gates, C H. Pelletreau, Jr., CoHn lightbody, Jr., James Armstrong, John Ferguson, H. S. Archer, and John T. EUis. Bro. McClenachan dehvered to them the dispensation for a Consistory, officers were named and the Consistory closed. Ten days later, Tuesday the 22d of May, the 44 AURORA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH RITE Council of Princes was again opened and officers elected for the ensuing year as follows : Edwin Gates, M. E. S. P. G. M. William M. Little, G. H. P. S. D. James Kain, M. E. S. G. W. John T. Ellis, M. E. J. G. W. John N. Wyckoff, Jr., Gr. Secy. C. H. Pelletreau, Jr., Gr. Treas. The Consistory was then opened by Bro, Mc- Clenachan and officers elected, with the follow- ing result : John H. Rhodes, Commander-in-Chief. L. Horatio Biglow, First Lieut.-Commander. Edwin Gates, Second Lieut.-Commander. John W. Simons, 33°, Grand Orator. John N. Wyckoff, Jr., Grand Secretary. C. H. Pelletreau, Jr., Grand Treasurer. Daniel Sickels, 33°, Grand Hospitaler. CHARLES W. WILLETS The name of 111. Charles W. Willets, 33°, will be noted among the brethren into whose hands these dispensations were placed. Willets was a restive soul and had a varied Masonic career. He was a member of Benevolent Lodge No. 142 under whose warrant a number of brethren who 45 had been disciplined by the Grand Lodge inl837 formed a union in September of that year under the name of ,St. John's Grand Lodge of the State of New York. This body was promptly de clared clandestine, but for thirteen years it maintained an active existence, until its union with the Grand Lodge of the State of New York in Decem- ber, 1850. On this occasion, Charles W. Willets, now Master of Benevolent Lodge No. 1, underthe jurisdiction of St. John's Grand Lodge, acted as special aid. But peace and harmony were not to prevail long. The times seemed out of joint Masonically: contimaacy to the edicts of the Grand Lodge was common, obligations were not revered, and a sense of Masonic fraternity and honor seemed to be quite wanting. Three years later, 1853, Henry C. Atwood became displeased with the election of Reuben H. Walworth as Grand Master and gave notice of his withdrawal from the Grand Lodge, calling upon the lodges that formerly composed the St. John's Grand Lodge to follow him. In September of this year Atwood, Willets and a number of others were again expelled by the Grand Lodge of the State of New York. This second St. John's Grand Lodge continued in existence until 1859. Willets became Grand Secretary, but this body was not destined to become so formidable nor survive 46 AUBOEA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH RITE SO long as its predecessor. Early in June, 1859, John W. Simons presented the petitions of Bros. Willets and Daniel Sickeis for restora- tion in the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, and they were restored to their former rights. The organization disbanded, their lodges were united with those of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York, and their members were remade in their separate lodges. 111. Bro. Willets died on the 10th of March, 1873. WORK BEGINS AGAIN Immediately after the election and installa- tion of officers a committee was appointed to ascertain what paraphernalia, etc., would be required for the proper conferring of the degrees in the new bodies. A lump initiation fee of thirty-five dollars was fixed upon for the four bodies of the Rite now working in Brooklyn and the annual dues were fixed at nine dollars, of which the Lodge of Perfection was to be credited with four dollars, the Council of Princes and the Chapter of Rose Croix two dollars each, and the Consistory one dollar, aU moneys to be collected and disbursed by the Consistory. It was further provided that all properties needed for any of the four bodies should be acquired by the Consistory, ESTABLISHMENT OP THE MYSTIC SHRINE 47 and that the Consistory should engage a meeting place. In March, 1867, the new bodies were conse- crated and dedicated, and at the same meeting Commander-in-Chief John H. Rhodes tendered his resignation. Upon taking a vote for a new- officer in his stead all the ballots except three bore the name of the former Commander-in- Chief; but he insisted upon withdrawing, and 111. Charles W. Willets, 33°, was elected the second Commander-in-Chief of Aurora Grata Consistory. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MYSTIC SHRINE On Sunday the 21st of April, 1867, the Lodge of Perfection held a special meeting at the Metro- politan Hotel at two o'clock in the afternoon for the purpose of conferring the Ineffable degrees by communication upon Bro. WiUiam J. Florence who was "about to depart for Europe," as the minutes say. There were present 111. Bro. McClenachan and one other member of the Su- preme Coimcil for the Northern Masonic Jurisdic- tion, two from the Southern, and a number of members of Aurora Grata. The degrees of the Council, Chapter, and Consistory were con- ferred upon Bro. Florence before his departure. 48 AUKORA GRATA A. A, SCOTTISH KITE This was the trip made by him to the Old World preceding the establishment of the Ancient Ara- bic Order of the Nobles of the Mystic Shrine in the United States. Bro. Florence brought back monitorial, historical, and explanatory manu- scripts and communicated the secrets of the Order to Dr. Walter M. Fleming of Aurora Grata Consistory, who was empowered to intro- duce and estabhsh the Order in America. It was determined to confer the Order only on Freemasons, and on the 16th of June, 1871, four Knights Templar and seven members of Aurora Grata Consistory, Thirty-second degree, were made acquainted with the secrets of the Order by Dr. Fleming and Bro. Florence. It was decided to engage in the establishment of the Order and on the 26th of September, 1872, the organization was effected and officers elected. Nine of the thirteen founders of the Mystic Shrine in the United States were members of the Aurora Grata bodies. REMOVAL TO FULTON STREET In December, 1867, came the first rejection — of a Master Mason giving his occupation as "laborer" and his address as the Fifth Avenue hotel. After a prolonged investigation the com- REMOVAL TO FULTON STREET 49 mittee reported, "we do not think him a suitable candidate." It was now decided to move from the meeting place in Court street, and a committee was authorized to engage rooms over the Dime Sav- ings Bank, 355 Fulton street, at an annual rental of six hundred and fifty dollars. The cost of fitting up exceeded thirty-nine hundred dollars, of which the sum of twenty-four hundred dollars was made up by loans from the brethren as fol- lows : Bros. Willets, Armstrong, Rhodes, Sickels, Anderson, Wyckoff, lightbody, Wallace, Atkin- son, and Little contributed two hundred dollars each; Bros. King, Biglow, Gates, and Hopper one hundred dollars each; and Bro. Peck fifty dollars. After making up the balance the total amount remaining in the treasury of the Consistory — which meant all four bodies — ^was but seventy dollars and thirty cents. The members were summoned by letter and by advertisement in the Brookljni daily papers to meet at the new rooms for the first time on the 6th of November, 1867. No candidates were advanced, but a new secretary, Bro. E. O. BurUng, was elected in place of Bro. John N. Wyckofif, Jr., who had not been quite so regular in his attendance as it is thought a secretary should be. Bro. Buriing served for two years, and never were Masonic 50 AURORA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH RITE minute books kept in a more elaborate style. The pages of his books are a constant reminder of engrossed resolutions. Purple, red, black, and gold were used in combination with fancy letter- ing, freehand flourishes and ornamentation to an extent which must have required a great deal of his time. He was not the ideal secretary, how- ever, for after two years of service his accounts were found to be in such confusion that a special committee on Membership and Disputed Dues was appointed to straighten them out. 111. Bro. Daniel Sickels, 33°, chairman of this committee, offered a resolution to the effect that "inasmuch as the records are acknowledged to be incomplete for a large portion of the past three years, each member's statement of his payment and active position should be accepted, and the proper balance and entries made, to continue there- from in due form." THE UNION OF 'siXTY-SEVEN On the 17th of May, 1867, the two rival Supreme Councils for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction settled upon terms of consoUda- tion, each unanimously agreeing to give up its separate existence and to become constituent parts of the new Council known as the Supreme Council for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction of THE UNION OF 'SIXTY-SEVEN 61 the United States. Thus were amicable rela- tions estabUshed between these two grand bodies and, at the same time, between the Aurora Grata bodies and lily Lodge of Perfection and Rabboni Council of Princes of Jerusalem estabUshed in Brooklyn by the Van Rensselaer Supreme Coun- cil. In September four members of Rabboni Council of Princes were received into Aurora Grata Chapter of Rose Croix, among them being Henry T. Bragg, who became a most valuable member to the Aurora Grata bodies during the next few years. The Consistorial grades were conferred upon these brethren in Aurora Grata Consistory the next month, and Aurora Grata Lodge of Perfection tendered to Lily Lodge of Perfection and Rabboni Council of Princes the free use of their rooms until those bodies could obtain suitable quarters for themselves. The outcome was that in February, 1869, lU. Joseph D. Evans, 33°, and three others were authorized to petition Aurora Grata Lodge of Perfection and Coimcil of Princes for the affihation of their members with the Aurora Grata bodies, and an arrangement was made by which ten of the total membership of twenty-three were aflSMated with Aurora Grata Lodge of Perfection. Rab- boni Council of Princes transferred to Aurora Grata Council all of its properties, and lily 52 AtJEORA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH KITE Lodge of Perfection transferred to Aurora Grata Chapter of Rose Croix all of its properties for the initiation of six members into the Chapter with- out fee. An exception was made in the person of Bro. Thomas B. Tilton, it being agreed that he should serve one year as organist of the Aurora Grata bodies in lieu of payment of initiation fee in the Rose Croix Chapter. The large and exquisitely carved Ark of the Covenant now used by us is one of the properties acquired by Aurora Grata by this consolidation. JOSEPH D. EVANS lU. Joseph D. Evans, 33°, who thus became identified with Aurora Grata, was a Past Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York, having occupied the Grand East in 1854 and 1855. He was born in New York city in 1807, and it was his early intention to become a clergy- man, but he went into mercantile life in Virginia in his early twenties and achieved signal success in the tobacco business. He was made a Mason in Marshall Lodge No. 39 in Lynchburg, Vir- ginia, in 1842. The year 1850 finds him in BrookijTi, where he affiliated with Anglo-Saxon Lodge No. 137, of which he became Master in 1852 — ^his second occupancy of the East, for he T&l^j^ JOSEPH D. EVANS 53 was Master of St. John's Lodge No. 36 in Rich- mond four years before. His Masonic record in New York is full of interest and marks him as a most energetic and able worker, being among the organizers and the first Master of Prince of Orange Lodge No. 16, of Hill Grove No. 450 and of Mistletoe No. 647. Bro. Evans took an active part in the adjust- ment of the Grand Lodge troubles of 1849, and the constitutional legislation inaugurated by him in 1857 was the keynote to that harmonious imion which was effected the following year. It was he who put into operation the system of Grand Representatives between the several Masonic grand bodies of the world, and which has conduced so largely to an interchange of fraternal relations and information respecting the Craft in all countries. His name is stamped on the records of Capitu- lar, Cryptic, and Chivalric Masonry, but his crowning labor was performed in the Scottish Rite. He was advanced to the highest honors of the Rite in 1862, being crowned an active member of the Supreme Council in that year, and at the time of his death he was Grand Minis- ter of State. He took a prominent part in effect- ing the "Union of 1867" and in planting the Supreme Council upon its present solid founda- 54 AURORA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH RITE tion. "The Scottish Rite never had a truer friend nor wanner advocate than he. His hfe, extending over eighty years, has been one free from spot or blemish — a citizen without re- proach." SIMON WIGGIN ROBINSON At the Consistorial rendezvous held the 25th of November, 1868, official notice was received of the death of Most 111. Simon Wiggin Robinson, 33°, under whose hand as Sovereign Grand Com- mander the warrants of the Aurora Grata Council, Chapter, and Consistory were issued. Departing this life at the age of seventy-six years he held the respect of the Craft to which he had rendered long and faithful service. He had received the highest honors in the gift of his brethren, having been Grand Master of Masons in Massachusetts, Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the same State, and Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Massachusetts and Rhode Island. ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP By the Constitutions of 1762 it was provided that a subordinate Consistory could not consist of more than fifteen members, including officers. ACTIVE MEMBERSHIP 55 In the General Statutes and Regulations of 1861 the provision was as follows: The number of active members of a Lodge of Perfection shall not exceed twenty-seven, including officers, and the number of active members of a Consistory shall not exceed twenty-five, officers included; but either of said bodies may create at pleasure honorary, affiliated or emeritus members, who shall be entitled to a voice in their deliberations, but not to vote. Either of said bodies may appoint a member of the requisite grade temporarily to office, but such appointment shall not confer any right to vote. Provided, also, that a Lodge of Perfection shall not be opened imless there be present five active members, including one of the first four officers, and a Consistory of S. P. R. S. shall not be opened unless there be present five active members, including the Sov. Grand Commander or one of the Lieutenant Commanders. The brethren of Aurora Grata had been mak- ing members without any thought of this Umi- tation, and perhaps most of them in total igno- rance of its existence. The result was thatin 1868 a considerable discussion arose as to the status of those who had been received into the bodies. The secretary had made no distinction between the candidates, and it was not clear whether the active members were to be selected from among their number by ballot, by the choice of the presiding ofl&cer or Deputy, or in some other manner. They decided to meet the issue 56 AURORA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH RITE squarely, however, and in December, 1868, boldly declared that "all persons who have been proposed, elected and receiving the degrees in these bodies shall be and are active members, and the recorder is ordered to enter such deci- sion on the minutes" — ^thus expressing by their action what was upon a famous occasion voiced in the words, "What's a httle thing Uke the Constitution between friends?" Two years later the Umitation to the number of active members in Lodges of Perfection and Consistories was stricken from the Constitutions, and since then all members of the subordinate bodies have been entitled to the same rights, light, and benefits. CHANGES IN OFFICERS Although the Lodge of Perfection had a very efficient secretary in Bro. Thomas S. Crump the remaining bodies were not so fortunate. It was provided in 1870, therefore, that Bro. Crump should be initiated into the other bodies without charge, provided he would act as secretary for them at least one year,, and the Consistory took his note for the amount of the initiation fees as security for the performance of his part of the JOHN W. SIMONS 57 agreement. The note was returned to him at the end of the year, when he declared himself clear on the books and took a dimit. Bro. James H. Warwick resigned as Commander- in-Chief of the Consistory and as Most Wise Mas- ter of the Rose Croix Chapter; Bro. James E. Conor tendered his resignation as First lieu- tenant-Commander; Bro. A. J. Warner resigned as Minister of State; and Bro. Henry T. Bragg resigned as Captain of the Guard in the Con- sistory. Ill, Charles T. McClenachan, 33°, opened the Consistory on the 29th of June, 1870, with an attendance of ten members, not one of the officers being in his station. A dispensa- tion to hold an election to fill vacancies was pro- cured from lU. Orrin Welch, 33°, and 111. John W. Simons, 33,° was elected Commander-in- Chief on the first day of July. JOHN W. SIMONS This distinguished craftsman served as Com- mander-in-Chief of Aurora Grata Consistory for eighteen months, when his increasing deafness made it impossible for him to hear what was spoken in the room. He was, however, a fre- quent attendant at the meetings of the bodies for many years afterwards, although able only to 58 AUEOHA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH KITE watch, without hearing, the presentation of the beautiful degrees of the Rite. At his death in October, 1888, 111. Albert Pike, Provincial Grand Master of the Royal Order of Scotland, said of him to the Provincial Grand Lodge : For another death which now gives me bitter sorrow I was not prepared. It had long been known that the shadowy heralds of the Dark Fate, whom iEschylus calls the " Saviour Death, the only physician of incurable woes," had announced his speedy coining to a very dear and much loved Brother, John W. Simons of New York, and that this good Knight lay at the peaceful village of Central Valley in that State, wasted and worn and feeble, but with unclouded intellect, patiently awaiting the coming of Him at whose approch the doors of all habitations open. On the 22d day of this month of October death closed the patient, melancholy, loving eyes and stopped the beating of the great, kindly, generous, tender heart and made untenanted by the freed intellect the quick, active, alert brain of one of the foremost Freemasons of the world. He was bom on the 8th of October, 1821, and Free- masonry had hoped to have and confidently counted upon having his services for many years more. Dying at the age of sixty-seven without a rival as a craftsman, for nearly forty years editor of the Masonic department of the New York Dispatch, distinguished as author and jurist, he had done well his work as a Mason, and might well have con- sidered it complete and finished; but almost until the day of his death he still sent out in brief letters, replete with JOHN W. SIMONS 59 kindness, patience and resignation, his cheerful and loving thoughts. He was Grand Master of Masons in the State of New York in 1860, Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chap- ter, and Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar for that State, and for some years Grand Treasurer of the Grand Encampment of the United States. But the greatest service to Masonry was rendered by him as chairman and writer of the reports of the Committee on Correspondence of the Grand Lodge and Grand Com- mandery of New York. To him chiefly Symbolic Masonry of the United States owes what knowledge it has of the condition and progress of Masonry in foreign countries, and it owes to him also much valuable discussion of Masonic jurisprudence, principles and doctrines in these reports. For he was a discriminating student and a, sound, accurate and logical thinker, discussing all questions in a judicial spirit and admirable temper, and seldom f aUing into error. He was an emeritus member of the Supreme Council of the Thirty-third degree for the Northern Masonic Juris- diction of the United States and an emeritus member of honor of the Supreme Council for the Southern Jurisdic- tion, as well as a true Knight of the Rosy Cross of the Royal Order of Scotland. Some years ago he had become very deaf, a deprivation which he bore with singular equanimity; notwithstanding which it was most painful to see him sit patiently among his friends, hearing nothing of their conversation, with quiet resignation, — most pitiful and sad and touching. So he lived among men, commending himself by the true greatness and goodness of his nature, his intellectual energy and his magnanimity, to the consideration, the esteem and love of all who knew him. 60 AURORA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH RITE CHAS. T. m'cLENACHAN, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF There were at this time three Lodges of Per- fection, two Councils of Princes, and three Chap- ters of Rose Croix in New York city and but one Consistory, Cosmopolitan. There sprang up a considerable jealousy between the different bodies, and strife for what was called the " con- trol" of Cosmopohtan Consistory. A number of the brethren of the New York bodies felt that they could not find in Cosmopolitan Consistory that Consistorial home which they sought and decided to identify themselves with Aurora Grata Consistory and give it their support and attention. The Aurora Grata bodies now had meeting rooms at 367 Fulton street, for which they engaged to pay a thousand dollars rental a year; but candidates were infrequent — ^less than a dozen year — ^and the members were neither faithful in their attendance nor prompt in the pajmaent of their dues. By the arrangement made in 1866, the Consistory collected and dis- bursed all moneys and was, in consequence, heavily in debt. All of the bodies owed dues to the Supreme Council which the Consistory was unable to pay for them. After passing a resolution authorizing the treasurer to pay over to the Supreme Council on account all funds in CHARLES T. M'CLENACHAN 61 his possession the action was rescinded, a com- mittee was appointed to petition the Supreme Council for a remission of dues of the Aurora Grata bodies, and three months' rent was paid to appease the landlord. 111. Charles T. McClenachan had been an honorary member of the Consistory since its foundation, and in November, 1871, Bro, James E. Conor proposed for active membership 111. Bro. McClenachan and General J. H. Hobart Ward, 33°. The night they were elected Bro. McClenachan proposed for the grades in Aurora Grata Consistory fourteen members of Templar Chapter of Rose Croix of New York, and the week following proposed seven more from the same Chapter. When 111. John W. Simons, 33°, resigned as Commander-in-Chief, 111. Daniel Sickels, 33°, Grand Secretary-General, presided at an election held the 14th of December, 1871, under dis- pensation from the Deputy, when 111. Bro. McClenachan was elected Commander-in-Chief and was installed by 111. Bro. Sickels. The accessions of members from New York were frequent from now on, and it was their custom to engage stages, which rumbled down Broadway, crossed the East river by Fulton 62 AURORA GRATA A. A. SC0TTI3H KITE Ferry, and proceeded up Fulton street, Brooklyn, to the Consistorial chambers. When Bro. McClenachan assumed the office of Commander-in-Chief the Consistory had an indebtedness exceeding forty-four hundred and fifty dollars and no assets with which to meet even a portion of this sum. Happily the most of this amount was owing to members who had advanced sums for fitting up the rooms they occupied, and for other expenses from time to time. A committee was appointed to confer with these brothers, and an agreement was drawn up between them and the Consistory cancelling and relinquishing all claims for these advances on certain conditions. The conditions agreed upon were that each of the four bodies should remit all indebtedness of these brothers to any of the bodies for dues or otherwise ; that each of the four bodies should make each of them a fife member, and that each one should be furnished, free of expense, a proper certificate of Ufe membership and a traveling certificate, duly signed and sealed by the proper officers of Aurora Grata Consistory. This agreement was signed by all who had advanced moneys, with the exception of those who had loaned but small amounts which were absorbed by dues. ,:^6/e^^^Q'. Ct^i<. CHARLES T. m'cLENACHAN 63 The Roll of Honor and the amounts cancelled in this manner are as follows : Daniel Sickels, 33° . $300.00 Chakles W. Willets, 33°. 350 . 00 James Armstrong 336 . 76 Colin Lightbody, Jr 300 . 00 John H. Rhodes 300 . 00 AsHER D. Atkinson 300 . 00 William T. Anderson . . 200 . 00 Edwin Gates 200.00 John N. Wyckopp, Jr 200 . 00 William Mayo Little . . . 200 . 00 William H. Wallace .... 200 . 00 JohnM. Hopper 100.00 Albert H. King • . 100.00 Henry T. Bragg 50 .00 13,136.76 In order to charge to each of the bodies its proper proportion of this sum it became neces- sary to establish life membership fees, which were fixed at fifteen dollars each for the Lodge of Perfection, Chapter of Rose Croix, and Con- sistory, and at ten dollars for the Council of Princes. The Consistory now raised its initiation fee by dividing the degrees into two series, the first comprising the eleven degrees from the Nine- 64 AURORA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH KITE teenth to the Twenty-ninth inclusive, and the second series the Thirtieth to the Thirty-second inclusive. The fee for the first group was fixed at twenty-five dollars ; and it was further ordered that for the second series a new ballot should be required for each candidate, who must pay an additional fee of fifteen dollars if admitted. During the five and a half years' occupancy of the rooms the Consistory was the body which met with least frequency, yet it had borne the lion's share of the expenses. For instance, in rent alone the Consistory had paid thirty-five hundred and seventy-five dollars, while the remaining three bodies collectively had paid but a thousand and thirty-six. Early in 1874, there- fore, it was provided that each of the four bodies should pay a quarter of the rent and other ex- penses, the Consistory to continue to receive and disburse all moneys. MEETINGS IN NEW YORK CITY On the 31st of January, 1873, Aurora Grata Consistory was convened in Masonic Hall, Thir- teenth street. New York, and the Twenty-first degree was exemplified in full ceremonial form. The additions of members from the lower bodies CHARTER OF COUNCIL SUSPENDED 66 in the Valley of New York were now so frequent that after the spring of 1874 the Consistory met alternately in New York and Brooklyn, and upon the dedication of the new Masonic Hall at Twenty-third street and Sixth avenue, Aurora Grata Consistory paid its share for fitting up the Consistorial chamber and towards the services of the janitor. CHARTER OF COUNCIL SUSPENDED In the meantime the Supreme Council insisted upon receiving the dues of the bodies, and although the Consistory had provided by reso- lution that all moneys received by the treasurer shoidd be paid over immediately to the Grand Secretary-General, the dues of the Council of Princes were so far in arrears the Council was officially notified that unless all arrearages were paid promptly the charter would be revoked. A warrant for one hundred and eleven dollars was ordered drawn by the Council on the 13th of November, 1874, and passed to 111. Chnton F. Paige, 33°, Grand Secretary-General, on account of dues. But the treasurer failed to honor the draft, and on the 20th of that month the char- ter was suspended; and it remained suspended 66 AUEOEA GBATA A. A. SCOTTISH BITE until the 15th of April, 1876, when the Supreme Council dues were paid to the first of July, 1875, by individual subscriptions of a few of the mem- bers. The Grand Secretary-General at once issued a certificate acknowledging the payment of dues, revoked the suspension of the Charter, and declared the works of Aurora Grata Council of Princes of Jerusalem in full force from that date. AUBOHA GRATA LODGE NO. 756 Many and many have been the projects hatched out in the anterooms of Masonic bodies, and many a lodge has been started from a dis- cussion begun during refreshment. Among the topics of discussion during the fall of 1874 was a plan for founding a new Symbolic lodge by the members of the Aurora Grata bodies, and on the 19th of October, 1874, the Lodge of Perfection gave the use of its rooms to twelve of its mem- bers who had obtained a dispensation under date of October 17th from M. W. Elwood E. Thorne, Grand Master, for Aurora Grata Lodge u. D. Aurora Grata Lodge of Perfection voted to permit its namesake the free use of the rooms until they should obtain a regular charter, which PROPOSAL TO SURRENDER CHARTER 67 was granted in June, 1875. It was not until November of that year, however, that the first bill for rent was rendered to Aurora Grata Lodge No. 756, and they were so dilatory for a time that it became necessary to appoint a collector who was directed to attend the regular communi- cations of Aurora Grata Lodge No. 756 to make whatever collections he could, on which he received a commission of ten per cent. Aurora Grata Lodge No. 756 now holds its communica- tions in our Cathedral, and it is one of the most prominent Sjnnbolic lodges in Brooklyn. Another tenant was added in 1875 in Olive Branch No. 6, Ancient and Primitive Rite, and two years later Brooklyn Council No. 4, Royal and Select Masters, became a tenant of Aurora Grata. PROPOSAL TO SURRENDER CHARTER On the 28th of April, 1875, a motion was put that even now it makes us shudder to con- template. It reads, "Moved and seconded that the members of the Lodge of Perfection be summoned to be present at the next regular communication of the Lodge for the purpose of considering the expediency of surrendering its charter. Motion carried." 68 AXTROEA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH BITE What associations cluster around that docu- ment which is as requisite as the Great Lights in opening a lodge and conducting its labors in due and ancient form! And how much dearer it is to those who have received Masonic Ught by vir- tue of it when the signatures it bears are those of Masons long dead and whose names are writ large in the annals of Masonic achievement ! Yet a motion was made to consider surrendering the charter of Aurora Grata Lodge of Perfection, a document written by the hand of 111. John James Joseph Gourgas, and which bears the signatures of five of the six founders of the Su- preme Council for the Northern Masonic Jurisdic- tion—signatures placed there five years before that Grand Body came into existence. For a month it hung in the balance, until the meeting of May 26th, when "On motion of Bro: Bragg, duly seconded, it was resolved that we do not deem it expedient to surrender the charter of Aurora Grata Lodge of Perfection." For five years Bro. Bragg was Thrice Potent Master of the Lodge of Perfection, and for two years Most Wise Master of the Rose Croix Chap- ter; but in all his long and faithful service he never did anything which places him so high in our affections as when he raUied the indifferent and callous and dragged them into the Lodge to EFFORTS TOWARD CONSOLIDATION 69 support his motion, " We do not deem it expedi- ent to surrender the charter of Aurora Grata Lodge of Perfection." No one was ever prouder of Aurora Grata than Henry T. Bragg. The pity of it that he could not have hved to see her emerge from her sea of troubles, strengthened and resolute, and enter into the joy of a cloudless and enduring prosperity. Bro. Bragg died in December of 1883, on the verge of the new birth of Aurora Grata, and the brethren laid his Ufe- less remains beneath the silent clods of the valley. "Warm summer sim, shine kindly here, Warm southern wind, blow softly here. Green sod above, he light, he hght. Good night, dear heart, good night, good night." EFFORTS TOWARD CONSOLIDATION In November, 1875, the Commander-in-Chief was reelected for the Consistorial term of three years, his first administration having proved eminently successful. The indebtedness of forty- four hundred and fifty dollars had been reduced to four hundred and eighty-seven during the period of his incumbency, three hundred dollars of which was due to Bro. John H. Rhodes for money advanced by him toward the payment of 70 AURORA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH RITE rent. The principal events in the Consistory- had been the presentation of the Twenty-fourth grade in Irving Hall on the 19th of September, 1872, at the informal request of the Supreme Council, and the presentation of the Twenty- ninth grade in full ceremonial form at Bryant Hall, by request of the Deputy for the State and in the presence of the Council of Delibera- tion. These efforts cost the Consistory a very large sum, the amount being made up from the treasury of the body and by contributions from the members individually. The growth and numerical standing of Aurora Grata Consistory at this time are shown by the following table, which gives the membership of each Consistory in the State of New York in 1871 and 1875, as reported to the Supreme Coun- cil. Name 1871 1875 Gain Albany 69 171 102 AuROKA Grata 71 198 127 Cosmopolitan. ... 128 98 30* Central City 53 134 81 Corning 84 174 90 Otseningo 69 67 2* Rochester 71 184 113 TOTALS 545 1026 *Lobs EFFORTS TOWARD CONSOLIDATION 71 It will be seen from the table that the gain in Aurora Grata was the greatest of any in the State, and in addition to New York and Brooklyn can- didates came from the Hudson valley from time to time, principally from Newburgh. A party of nine came down from Adonai Lodge of Per- fection at Newburgh in April, 1876, and received the grades of the higher bodies in Aurora Grata. On the other hand Cosmopohtan Consistory suffered a loss of thirty members during the period in which Aurora Grata enjoyed a gain of one hundred and twenty-seven. Overtures were now made for the union of the two bodies, and following the action of Cosmopolitan Consistory a committee was appointed in Aurora Grata to arrange a basis of consolidation. The joint com- mittee met in Masonic HaU, New York, on the 4th of May, 1874, adopted articles of confedera- tion and recommended them to the consideration of their respective bodies. On motion of 111. Edwin Gates, 33°, it was "Resolved that Aurora Grata consents to its Grand East being trans- ferred to the city of New York." This was not a vote to consoUdate, and at a meeting of Cosmo- politan Consistory they too failed to ratify the articles of confederation. In August, 1876, the Supreme Council met in New York city and again desired Aurora Grata 72 A0EORA GEATA A. A. SCOTTISH BITE Consistory to present a degree before that august body. The Twenty-ninth grade was accordingly exemplified in full form before the Supreme Council and a large number of brothers from Oriental Consistory, Chicago, who had accompanied their Commander-in-chief, 111. Gilbert W. Barnard, 33°, on a trip to the Centen- nial Exposition at Philadelphia, and had come over to New York to join with Aurora Grata Consistory as escort of honor to the Supreme Council. The appearance of the brethren of Oriental Consistory in the streets in fuU uniform of the Scottish Rite excited much interest and comment, and a resolution was promptly passed in Aurora Grata adopting a bill of dress consisting of a double-breasted frock coat, black trousers, black cloth cap. Knight Templar pattern, with Teutonic cross and 32° worked in silver on the front (officers in gold), white and black sword belt, without chains, with silver double eagle clasp, — officers, gold clasp and chains. THE CONSOLIDATION EFFECTED Although Aurora Grata Consistory had been meeting both in Brooklyn and New York since January of 1873, it was discovered in 1877 that it THE CONSOLIDATION EFFECTED 73 had no authority to hold a rendezvous in any- other place than Brooklyn, and at the session of the Supreme Council held in Boston in Septem- ber of that year action was taken allowing the Consistory to meet at its pleasure either in Brooklyn or New York. It was never convened in Brooklyn after that. At the rendezvous held on the 31st of January, 1880, a resolution was adopted directing the Commander-in-Chief to appoint a committee to meet with a similar committee appointed two days earher by CosmopoUtan Consistory to con- sider and report upon a plan for the consohdation of the two Consistories. The joint committee met on the 6th of February and reported back to their respective bodies as follows : Resolved that the committee is in favor of consolidating Cosmopolitan and Aurora Grata Consistories. 1 The name of the united body shall be The Consis- tory of New York City. 2 All members of the two Consistories, shall be con- tinued as members of the united body, unless they shall express a desire to the contrary. Life and honorary members shall be continued as hfe and honorary members of the united body. 3 Members who have been suspended or stricken from the roll of either Consistory for non-payment of dues shall become members of the united body on payment of one dollar to the united body. 74 AUKOKA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH EITE 4 Both Consistories shall be absolutely free from debt at the time of consolidation. 5 The Deputy of the Supreme Council for the State of New York shall choose by lot the body which shall nomi- nate the first Commander-in-Chief of the united body, and the right to nominate the remaining officers shall be alternately exercised by the two Consistories, 6 All the properties and assets of the two Consistories shall become the property of the united body, and all dues now owing to either body shall be payable to the united body. 7 The charters of the two Consistories shall be sur- rendered to the Deputy of the Supreme Council, at a meeting of the members of both, to be called for that pur- pose by the Deputy after he shall be informed of the adop- tion of these articles of union. The two Consistories met conjointly on the evening of the 26th of February, 1880, and hav- ing delivered their charters to the Deputy and elected their first officers as provided, they were declared consohdated, and the labors of Aurora Grata Consistory and CosmopoUtan Consistory continued in the united body under the title of The Consistory of New York City. Aurora Grata Consistory had lived less than fourteen years, and no subordinate^bodyeverhad associated with it a greater number of weU- known and brilliant Masons in so short a period. On its books are enrolled the names of Joseph D. DOWNCAST HOURS — WELCOME DAWN 75 Evans and John W. Simons, active members of the Supreme Council and Past Grand Masters; J. Edward Simmons, honorary member of the Supreme Council and Past Grand Master; Daniel Sickels, active member of the Supreme Council and Grand Secretary-General; Charles T.McClen- achan, active member of the Supreme Council and Grand Master-General of Ceremonies; Robert M. C. Graham, active member of the Supreme Council and Deputy for the State of New York; Edward M. L. Ehlers, honorary member of the Supreme Council and Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York. Her career was short, but who can deny its lustre? DOWNCAST HOURS — ^WELCOME DAWN The removal of the Consistory to New York and its ultimate consolidation with CosmopoUtan Consistory to form The Consistory of New York City was a severe blow to the remaining three Aurora Grata bodies, and it almost cost them their existence. Several communications of the Lodge of Perfection .and Chapter of Rose Croix were held in New York, and in the Chap- 76 AURORA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH RITE ter it was "moved and seconded that a commit- tee of three, with the Master as chairman, be appointed to consider the advisability of this Chapter consoUdating with the New York Chap- ter." The committee never reported. Early in 1878 the Lodge of Perfection, Council of Princes, and Rose Croix Chapter gave up their rooms at 367 Fulton street to meet in future only at the call of the chair, at such time and place as he might designate, and Bro. James E. Conor was made a committee of one to pack the properties and store them until active work could be resumed. In order to retain the charters the Aurora Grata Association was formed by Bros. White, Gates, Cowpland, Conor, Stiles, Sickels, Leach, Peters, Warner, Colo-Veloni, and Gardner, who mutually pledged themselves to hold the constitutional meetings and pay all fees to the Supreme Council, etc., necessary to retain the charters. Now and then the presiding officer would call a meeting for the purpose of confer- ring the degrees by communication upon some Master Mason who desired to receive the hght of the Scottish Rite, and elections of officers were held fro forma as required by the Constitu- tions of the[Supreme Council. In 1877 there was only one initiate, the next year none; in 1879 there were two. Two years then passed with- DOWNCAST HOURS — WELCOME DAWN 77 out a single initiate into the bodies, while in the year 1882 there were only two additions. Early in 1883 all three bodies passed resolutions remitting the dues of everyone up to the first of January of that year and fixing the annual dues thereafter at one dollar in each body. In September of 1882, two old members of the bodies, John G. Barker and John B. Harris, were expelled by the Supreme Council from all rights and privileges in Scottish Rite Masonry for parti- cipation in the organization of the so-called Gor- man Supreme Council the previous year. They adopted the name of the old Hays-Cerneaii Cotmcil and claimed to be its successor through Hopkins Thompson who, on the 27th of Septem- ber, 1881, declared himself vested with the powers which the members of the Council had laid down when it was merged with the Supreme Council for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction in 1863, and proclaimed the labors of the old Coun- cil resumed. Barker had been quite active, particularly in the Lodge of Perfection, and although notoriously incompetent as an officer of a Masonic body he held office in the days when it was difficult to get anyone to assume responsi- bility of any kind. He had possession of the warrant of the Lodge of Perfection at one time, and sent the annual returns to the Supreme 78 AURORA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH KITE Council. In these reports he appears as Thrice Potent Master of the Lodge of Perfection from 1879 to 1882 inclusive, although the minute books do not show that he ever was Master of the body. Better days were near, however. In 1883 interest in the bodies began to revive, twenty- three candidates were initiated, the membership rose to eighty-four, meetings became regular again, and the old rooms in Fulton street were once more occupied by the Lodge of Perfection, Council, and Chapter. On the first of Decem- ber, 1883, the day of the destructive fire in Masonic Hall in New York, the Lodge of Perfec- tion met in regular communication and conferred the Ineffable grades upon one candidate. Way- land Trask. Three months later, the 12th of April, 1884, John W. Richardson and Edwin D. Washburne received the degrees of the Lodge of Perfection, and after passing through the Council and Chapter all three went to New York, where the Consistorial grades were conferred upon them. What portentous events in the history of Aurora Grata are clustered around those three names! Who could possibly foresee the new era of pros- perity which they were destined to bring, the nobler deeds and greater achievements which they were to accomplish for the Rite in Brooklyn, WAYLAND TKASK, THRICE POTENT MASTER 79 and that they were to follow one after the other as Commander-in-Chief of a new Aurora Grata Con- sistory which they were to found in the face of difficulties declared insurmountable by so many? At the annual meeting of the Lodge of Perfec- tion held in the following February, Wayland Trask was elected Thrice Potent Master; John W. Richardson, Deputy Master; and Edwin D. Washbume, Senior Warden, — ^three new men in the Rite, but men filled with enthusiasm and love for the Scottish Rite and endowed with a capacity for strenuous work. On the night of their installation the Lodge of Perfection owed thirty-nine dollars and sixty-nine cents and had not a penny in its treasury. The brethren present made up this sum by subscription, and the new administration started off even with the world, without debts and without money. Sat- urday was not deemed the best night in the week for their meetings if the interest and attend- ance of the members were to be enhsted and maintained, and arrangements were immediately made to go back to the Montauk rooms in Court street, this time at No. 38, and to change the meeting nights to the second and fourth Wednes- days of each month. At the first meeting of the Lodge of Perfection over which Wayland Trask presided as Thrice Potent Master, there were 80 AUEOHA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH BITE eleven candidates, all proposed by him; and when the year rolled around forty-six had been added to the roll. The next year showed a gain of sixty-six, the following year forty-four, and a hundred and nine names were added to the membership lists during 1887. The officers used every means they could devise to awaken interest in the Scottish Rite : new costumes and properties were purchased, the degrees were con- ferred with much more care and in a more ela- borate manner than ever before, new officers were installed by prominent Masons from other jurisdictions, visits were invited from active members of the Supreme Council, the Feast of St. John was celebrated at the Oriental hotel by a very large gathering, members of other bodies of the Rite were invited to visit Aurora Grata in numbers and confer degrees for them, and on one occasion the Lodge of Perfection was honored by a visit from Most 111. Henry L Palmer, Sovereign Grand Commander, accompanied by 111. Bros. Charles T. McClenachan, Grand Master-General of Ceremonies, Albert P. Mori- arty, Assistant Grand Secretary-General, and William R. Higby, Grand Standard Bearer, all active members of the Supreme Council. An increase in membership and growing interest in the Rite resulted from these efforts. AUROBA GRATA CATHEDRAL 81 AURORA GRATA CATHEDRAL By 1887 the rooms in Court street had become too small to accommodate the large numbers who attended the regular meetings of the bodies, and an association was incorporated under the title of Aurora Grata Association of Brooklyn for the purpose of acquiring property and establishing a suitable edifice for the use of the Scottish Rite and other Masonic organizations. They pur- chased the property of the East Reformed Church at the comer of Bedford avenue and Madison street and immediately set about mak- ing the necessary alterations to meet the require- ments of Masonic work. The bodies invested all their available funds in stock of the Associa- tion and many members purchased blocks of stock in their desire to help in the good cause. On the 24th of September, 1887, the new edi- fice was dedicated to the service of Masonry by Most 111. Henry L Pahner, Sovereign Grand Commander. The Supreme Council of Sovereign Grand Inspectors General was constituted as follows : Henry L Palmer of Milwaukee, M. P. Sov. Gr. Commander. Enoch T. Carson of Cincinnati, P. Gr. Lieut. Com- mander. 82 AURORA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH RITE Joseph D. Evans of New York, Gr. Minister of State. John L. Stettinius of Cincinnati, Gr. Treasurer- General H. E. Clinton F. Paige of Binghamton, Gr. Secretary- General H. E. Anthony E. Stocker of Philadelphia, Gr. Prior. Nicholas R. Ruckle of Indianapolis, Gr. Keeper of the Archives. Charles T. McClenachan of New York, Gr. Master- General of Ceremonies. Homer S. Goodwin of Bethlehem, Pa., Gr. Marshal- General. William R. Higby of Bridgeport, Gr. Standard Bearer. Charles E. Meyer of Philadelphia, Gr. Captain of Guard. Albert P. Moriarty of New York, Assistant Gr. Secretary-General. assisted by sixteen honorary members of the Supreme Council of the Thirty-third degree. Wayland Trask, 33°, Thrice Potent Master of the Lodge of Perfection, tendered the greeting of the Aurora Grata bodies to 111. Henry L Palmer and the members of the Supreme Council, and on behalf of the Aurora Grata Association of Brook- Aurora Grata Cathedral, Bedford Avenue and Madison Street AURORA GRATA CATHEDRAL 83 lyn presented the Cathedral to him for dedica- tion. 111. Bro. Palmer accepted the trust, and assuming the gavel dedicated Aurora Grata Cathedral to the service of Masonry in accord- ance with the usages of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. Proclamation having been made East, South West and North the M. P. Sovereign Grand Com- mander recommitted the Cathedral into the charge of the Association, and in returning the gavel to the Thrice Potent Master congratulated the craft of Brooklyn on the beautiful edifice they had acquired and earnestly wished them a continuance of the great success that had attended their work in the past few years. Rev. and Bro. Warren C. Hubbard was then introduced by the Thrice Potent Master, and delivered an address in which he recounted briefly the rise and fall of the Aurora Grata bodies in the years preceding 1883, and the period of unexampled prosperity, sturdy growth and stal- wart maturity which had made Aurora Grata Cathedral "its goal today and its starting point tomorrow." The first meeting in the Cathedral was held by the Lodge of Perfection on the 7th of October, when there were present a large number of visitors 84 AURORA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH RITE from neighboring Valleys who had come to con- gratulate Aurora Grata in their new home. HENRY L PALMER Most 111. Henry L Palmer, Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Council for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, is without doubt the foremost Freemason in the world today. He has been honored by his brethren with the highest official station in every branch of Masonry, and has left his strong impress on every department of the Craft. He was Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin in 1852 and 1853, and again in 1871 and 1872; Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Wisconsin in 1858 and 1859; Grand Master of the Grand Coun- cil of Royal and Select Masters of Wisconsin in 1853 and 1854; Grand Commander of the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of Wisconsin from 1858 to 1865 inclusive ; and Grand Master of the Grand Encampment of Knights Templar of the United States from 1865 to 1868. Born in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, on ■the 18th of October, 1819, he removed to West Troy, New York, where he was made a Mason in Evening Star Lodge No. 75, being raised on the AURORA GRATA CLUB 85 10th of March, 1841. Bro. Palmer was Master of his lodge from 1845 to 1848 inclusive, and is the oldest hving Past Master of any lodge under the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of the State of New York. His removal from the State, how- ever, technically deprives him of official recogni- tion as Dean of the Masters of the State. AUROEA GRATA CLUB By the purchase of the Aurora Grata Cathe- dral property the Association came into posses- sion of the parsonage attached to the church. It was promptly suggested that this would make an excellent home for a club, and even before the Aurora Grata bodies moved into their new Cathe- dral the Aurora Grata Club was organized on the 18th of May, 1887, with a large membership of the same enthusiastic brethren who had built up the Aurora Grata bodies. Membership in the club was limited to Master Masons in good stand- ing, and it was the first Masonic club organized in the world. Our example has been followed in many cities, and everywhere the Masonic club has proved itself an important addition to the social side of the fraternity. A reorgniza- tion of the club with a view to broadening its 86 AUBORA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH BITE usefulness was an ever-present topic of conversa- tion during 1907, and in December the Aurora Grata Club gave place to the Masonic Club of Brooklyn. It has now a membership of more than twelve hundred Master Masons, its presi- dent being Bro. Theodore A. Taylor, secretary of the Scottish Rite bodies. The name Aurora Grata was adopted by a Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star in- stituted on the 6th of October, 1900, and it has become one of the most flourishing chapters of the Order in the State. SECOND AURORA GRATA CONSISTORY HE year 1888 found the Lodge of Perfection, Council of Princes, and Chapter of Rose Croix in a mostprosperous condition. The rolls had increased in four years from eighty-four, mostly quies- cent and indifferent members, to three hundred and seventy-five active, energetic and faithful workers, proud of their achievement and proud of the new Cathedral, which was conceded to be in its noble proportions and fitness for Scottish Rite work the finest in the State of New York. But the Circle of Unity was not complete — there was no Consistory in Brooklyn, and the members must go to a neighboring Valley to receive the grades above the Eighteenth. The brethren in Brookljoi made up their minds they 88 AURORA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH RITE wanted a Consistory and set about getting it, with the result that on the 9th of October, 1888, the Sovereign Grand Commander, 111. Henry L Palmer, 33°, granted a dispensation for a Con- sistory to be held in the Valley of Brooklyn. On the 23d of the same month a special session of the Supreme Council was convened in the rooms of the Aurora Grata Club for the purpose of inaugurating Aurora Grata Consistory of the Valley of Brooklyn. The officers representing the Supreme Council of the Thirty-third degree were as follows: J. H. HoBART Ward, as M. P. Sov. Gr. Commander. Walter M. Fleming, as P. Gr. Lieut-Commander. Daniel Sickles, as Gr. Minister of State. Robert Macoy, as Gr. Chancellor. Edwin Gates, as Gr. Treasurer-Gteneral H. E. Albert P. Moriartt, as Gr. Secretary-General H. E. Athanasius Colo-Veloni, as Gr. Hospitaler. John W. Richardson, as Gr. Marshall-General. These distinguished brethren proceeded to Aurora Grata Cathedral, where they were received by the petitioners for the dispensation, and at once occupied their official stations. 111. J. H. Hobart Ward, 33°, addressed the brethren in a congratulatory manner, ffiled the vacant Con- SECOND AURORA GRATA CONSISTORY 89 sistorial ofl&ces by appointment, and ordered the reading of the dispensation. After every bro- ther present had subscribed his name in the register, 111. Wayland Trask, 33°, was presented and installed as Commander-in-Chief of the new Aurora Grata Consistory. The remaining offi- cers were then elected, appointed, and installed with the exception of secretary and sentinel. Bros. Frank B. Jackson and Godfrey lincks were then introduced, and by virtue of a special dispensation were created S. P. R. S. and declared members of the Consistory. The Commander- in-Chief immediately appointed Bro. Jackson to be secretary and Bro. Lincks sentinel, and they were conducted to their stations and at once entered upon their duties. The initiation fee in the new Consistory was fixed at twenty-five dollars and the annual dues at two dollars; life membership, five dollars. It was directed that all moneys received from life memberships should be invested in stock of the Aurora Grata Association. Petitions were received from forty-nine Rose Croix Knights and all were duly elected to receive the grades in Aurora Grata Consistory. The first regular rendezvous was held on the 23d of November, 1888, when the Twenty-first degree was con- ferred in full ceremonial form upon fifty-five 90 ATJBORA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH KITE candidates, the first time a Consistorial grade had been conferred in Brooklyn since 1877. At the session of the Supreme Council held in September, 1889, a charter was issued to Aurora Grata Consistory, dated the 19th of that month, and on the evening of the 10th of October the Consistory was duly and lawfully constituted by 111. J. H. Hobart Ward, 33°, representing 111. John Hodge, 33°, Deputy for the State of New York. The patents of the one hundred and six charter members were presented to the Grand Secretary-General, who duly endorsed each one upon presentation of transfer of membership to Aurora Grata Consistory. 111. Wayland Trask, 33°, was elected Commander-in-Chief for the regular Consistorial term of three years. EDWIN KNOWLES Among those who gave of their talents to the up-lift of the Aurora Grata bodies was 111. Edwin Knowles, 33°. In addition to yeoman service in the conferring of degrees he tendered several benefit performances by the Amaranth Dramatic Society at the Amphion Theatre, which added several hundred dollars to the Consistory's funds. Bro. Knowles early showed a talent for the stage, EDWIN KNOWIiES 91 and at the age of twenty-two we find him taking minor parts under Ben Baker. He quickly rose to the position of leading man, a position which he held for many years, supporting Fanny Daven- port, Mme. Janauschek, Lawrence Barrett, the Florences and many others. He became a theatre manager, having in his control the Grand Opera House, Amphion, Columbia, and Park theatres of Brooklyn, and the Fifth Avenue Theatre of New York. Bro. KJnowles was raised in Commonwealth Lodge No. 409 in June, 1885, and was its Master two years later. He entered the Scottish Rite immediately and became Master of the Lodge of Perfection. The Thirty-third degree was con- ferred upon him at Cleveland in September, 1889. In the Grand Lodge he was representative of the Grand Lodge of Rhode Island, his native State. His death occurred on the 14th of April, 1902. His skiU in artistic grouping and scenic efifects contributed greatly to the beauty and impres- siveness of the degree work. Bro. Knowles was a most courtly gentleman, a man of handsome presence, generous to a fault, and numbered his friends by the hun- dreds. 92 AUEOKA GSATA A. A. SCOTTISH HITB EDWIN GATES Aurora Grata was called upon in 1891 to mourn the death of one who had been her bone and sinew in her days of trouble, 111. Edwin Gates, 33°, one of the charter members and third officer of the first Aurora Grata Consistory. He saw Aurora Grata numerically the strongest Scottish Rite bodies in the State of New York, with many of the most prominent Masons in the United States on her roUs; he saw her when trials and adversity overwhelmed her, when the Con- sistory was merged with another and lost its identity and the three lower bodies entered into a sleep as of death; and he was one of the hope- ful and faithful band who nursed the tiny vital spark and fanned it into a conquering flame of energy and progress. Bom in Massachusetts in 1820, he was a forty- niner, fitting out a vessel and sailing for Cah- fomia in that memorable year. The following year he established the first American school on the Pacific Coast, and was admitted to the bar in 1852. The year before he had been made a Mason in Mokelumme Lodge and soon became its Master. Bro. Gates was a charter member of Stella Lodge No. 485 and became Master of it in 1876. The degrees of the Scottish Rite were con- ADVEESITT RETURNS; AGAIN VANQUISHED 93 ferred upon him in 1866, and from the organiza- tion of the Aurora Grata Council, Chapter, and Consistory he took an active part in the advance- ment of these bodies. He labored diligently to infuse new Ufe and energy into those who were already identified with the Rite, and brought a large amount of new material, impressing them with the importance and beauty of the Scottish Rite and arousing in them the same love for it which he possessed. Bro. Gates was treasurer of the first Aurora Grata Consistory for thirteen years, and was crowned a Sovereign Grand Inspector General in 1879. A firm and faithful friend, a rigid and upright business man, an earnest and enthusiastic Mason, believing in its principles and practicing them in his relations with his brethren and with the outer world, he was honored by all who knew him, and his death was a severe loss to Aurora Grata. ADVERSITY RETURNS; AGAIN VANQUISHED In 1896 the failure of a banking house in which the Aurora Grata bodies had deposited their funds came as a heavy blow, and under circum- stances which wounded deeply. It became necessary to reduce the number of meetings to curtail expenses, and moneys which were here- 94 ATTROEA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH KITE tofore invested in stock of the Aurora Grata Association were needed to meet current bills; but the same resolute determination and stead- fast courage which raised the bodies in the Valley of Brooklyn to their high pinnacle was again set to the task of wiping out debt and mending the breach. This year also records the death of 111. Charles T. McClenachan, 33°, Commander-in-Chief of the first Aurora Grata Consistory from 1871 until its consoUdation with Cosmopolitan to form the Consistory of New York City. He had been an active member of the Supreme Council since 1861, and at the time of his death was Grand Master-General of Ceremonies. 111. Bro. McClena- chan was made a Mason in 1854 in Munn Lodge No. 190, New York city, and received the Scot- tish Rite degrees two years later. For thirteen years he was Thrice Potent Master of New York Lodge of Perfection and he was Commander-in- Chief of CosmopoUtan Consistory before being elected to the same office in Aurora Grata Con- sistory. A thorough student of Masonry, he left a monument to his attachment to the fra- ternity in his Book of the Scottish Rite, a moni- tor covering all the degrees, his addendum to Mackey's Encyclopedia of Masonry, and an extensive History of Masonry in New York State. ^ J^ /io{^-*-ve GIFTS FROM MEMBERS 101 Bro. Dwight Burdge, 33°, presented to the Lodge of Perfection a full-toned and beautiful Japanese gong from a Buddhist temple. This gong is no doubt one of the handsomest pieces of ham- mered bronze in the country, as its tones are of the sweetest. Its melancholy and lingering note contributes immeasurably to the solemnity of the Mystic RoU at the ceremony of the Feast of the Paschal Lamb, when it speaks its message of sorrow and teUs of another brother who has been raised to subUme degrees we know not of. The diamond studded jewel of the Master of the Rose Croix Chapter is a present from 111. Bro. Daniel M. MacLellan, 33°, upon his retiring from the East of the Chapter in 1886. Bro. John Q. Moon presented to the Chapter in 1891 a handsome Rose Croix sword that had been the property of 111. Edmund B. Hays, 33°, who was Sovereign Grand Commander of the Cerneau- Hays Supreme Council and became an emeri- tus member of the Supreme Council for the Northern Masonic Jurisdiction. Upon the completion of his term of office as Commander-in-Chief 111. Bro. Washburne pre- sented to the Consistory a handsome jewel of the Thirty-third degree, which is always worn by the Commander-in-Chief at the regular ren- dezvous of the Consistory. 102 AtTBORA GBATA A. A. SCOTTISH KITE The small table with griffin legs, sometimes used in the Lodge 'of Perfection, was once the property of the famous Mme. Jumel. DANIEL SICKELS In January, 1902, occurred the death of 111. Daniel Sickels, 33°, active member of the Su- preme Council since 1849 and one of the charter members of Aurora Grata Council, Chapter, and Consistory in 1866. His Masonic record is remarkable for its diversity and activity. He was twice Grand Secretary-General of the Su- preme Council, from 1849 to 1853 and from 1860 to 1873, serving as Grand Minister of State dur- ing the intervening seven years. Bro. Sickels was educated as an engineer, but early turned his attention to mercantile pursuits. He was possessed of literary talents, which he directed to Masonic rather than general Uterature. Per- haps his most important publication was his Ahiman Rezon and Masonic Monitor, first pub- hshed in 1865 and still a standard authority with the fraternity. As long as his health per- mitted he was a regular attendant at the meet- ings of his Masonic bodies, and he served on the standing Committee on Returns in the Supreme Council for more than a quarter of a century. In x^i^rxLf (^ j(^ ^t.'^tuSA CHARLES H. LU8COMB 103 recognition of his long service and the love of his associates for him the Supreme Council conferred upon him the title and dignity of Dean of the Supreme Council. His funeral services were conducted by Aurora Grata Lodge No. 756, of which he was a charter member, the Supreme Council being represented by the attendance of seven of its active members, six of its officers and twenty honorary members. CHARLES H. LUSCOMB, COMMANDEE-IN-CHIEF At the regular Consistorial rendezvous of December, 1904, 111. Charles H. Luscomb, 33°, was elected Commander-in-Chief of the Consis- tory and was installed by 111. James H. Codding, 33°, Grand Secretary-General H. E. Colonel Luscomb's record in Masonic and other organiza- tions is a story of activity and achievement that is not often paralleled. He was raised in Girard Lodge No. 631 in 1880, served as Senior Deacon and Junior Warden, and was Master in 1883, 1884, and 1885. Taking up his residence in Brookljm he affiliated with Central Lodge No. 361 and was its Master in 1888 and 1889. He was exalted in Constellation Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, in 1887 and was High Priest in 1890 and 1891. He became a member of the 104 AURORA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH RITE Scottish Rite bodies in 1891 and five years later was elected Thrice Potent Master of the Lodge of Perfection, serving two years. In 1898 he was crowned an honorary member of the Su- preme Council. It will be noted that Bro. Lus- comb was Master of his Sjmabolic lodge before receiving the Chapter degrees and was High Priest of his Chapter before becoming a Scottish Rite Mason. Immediately upon his installation he entered upon the duties of Commander-in-Chief with all his unique energy and a determination to leave Aurora Grata better for his having been asso- ciated with it. One of his very first acts was to put renewed vim into the fraternal visits to other Valleys and he promptly arranged for trips to Albany and Jersey City, taking with him about eighty members of Aurora Grata Consistory on the trip to New Jersey Sovereign Consistory. Visits followed to Binghamton, Philadelphia, Camden, Bridgeport, Scranton and Providence. Greater attention than heretofore was given to the celebration of the solemn Feast of the Paschal Lamb on Maundy Thursday in the Rose Croix Chapter, when the hghts are extinguished and the Chapter closed. In 1906, M. W. Frank Hurd Robinson, 33°, Grand Master of Masons in New York, responded to This Holy Day, and Original Drawing of the Grand Decoration of the Thirty-third Degree, made by III. Daniel Sickels, 33° CHARLES H. LUSCOMB 105 M. W. George W. Kendrick, 33°, Grand Master of Masons m Pennsylvania, Toleration. The next year the responses were by M. W, Town- send Scudder, 33°, of the Aurora Grata bodies, Grand Master of Masons in New York, and M. W. John Albert Blake, 33°, Grand Master of MasonsinMassachusetts. Accompanying lU.Bro. Blake and participating in the ceremonies were M. E. Arthur G. Pollard, 33°, Past General Grand High Priest and M. E. Harry Hunt, 33°, Grand High Priest of the Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Massachusetts. On both occasions the Com- mander-in-Chief responded to The Dead. The Feast of the Paschal Lamb and the Lodge of Sorrow held each year are tiled as a Master Mason lodge, and these beautiful ceremonies are wit- nessed by many who are not members of the Rite. The Paschal Lamb ceremony of 1907 led to an invitation from Massachusetts Consistory to visit Boston, and a number of the brothers accom- panied the Commander-in-Chief on a two-day trip to that VaUey in October, 1907. The recep- tion committee consisted of the Grand Master, the Deputy Grand Master, the Grand High Priest, the Commander-in-Chief and Past Com- manders-in-Chief of Massachusetts Consistory, and every possible effort was put forth to extend to the visitors a fraternal welcome. The return 106 AtTBOKA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH KITE was made by direct steamer and the trip was voted the most enjoyable in many respects that Brooklyn had ever made. An ebony gavel, surmounted with a double-headed eagle and bearing a suitable inscription in a silver Delta, was presented to Massachusetts Consistory as a token of appreciation of their genuine Masonic hospitality. EXCHANGES OF VISITS WITH SCRANTON Among the visitors at the first meeting in the Cathedral was Bro. Francis G. Rarrick, Thrice Potent Master of Keystone Lodge of Perfection, Scranton, Pennsylvania, who came to request Aurora Grata to pay a fraternal visit to Key- stone Lodge of Perfection and exemplify the Fourteenth degree in full form in that Valley. The invitation was accepted by Aurora Grata, and on the 10th of November, 1887, about fifty members of the Brooklyn bodies journeyed to Scranton where the officers of Aurora Grata Lodge of Perfection conferred the Fourteenth degree in full form upon a large class. Keystone presented to Aurora Grata Lodge of Perfection a gavel made from a post taken from Libby Prison, and this gavel is today preserved as one of the treasures of the Lodge. The following VISITS TO SCKANTON 107 year a delegation of twenty members of Key- stone Lodge of Perfection was welcomed on a return visit to Aurora Grata. Nearly twenty years later an apparent stran- ger applied for admission as a visitor to Aurora Grata Chapter of Rose Croix, and upon being passed by the Outer Guard of the Chapter pre- pared to sit quietly by and watch the conferring of the degree. But strangers do not go long unnoticed in Aurora Grata and it was soon dis- covered that he was from Scranton. He not only recalled the close fraternal relations between the bodies a score of years before, but had accom- panied the Thrice Potent Master of Keystone Lodge of Perfection on the memorable visit to Brookljoi in 1888. This brother was 111. Joseph F. Baumeister, 33°, Commander-in-Chief of Key- stone Consistory. Old recollections were revived, and within a few minutes an invitation was extended to visit Scranton again and it was as promptly accepted, this time from Consistory to Consistory. On the 5th of June, 1906, nearly eighty members of Aurora Grata Consistory made the trip to the Valley of Scranton. The Twentieth degree. Master ad Vitam, was pre- sented in full ceremonial form by the Brooklyn delegation, who had taken costumes and proper- ties for the purpose. This degree had never 108 AURORA GRATA A. A. SCOTTISH RITE been presented before in Keystone Consistory and drew so large an attendance that it was neces- sary to hold the rendezvous in an auditorium. In the cast 111. Charles H. Luscomb, 33°, Com- mander-in-Chief of Aurora Grata Consistory, represented Frederick II, while 111. Edwin D. Washburne, 33°, and 111. John W. Richardson, 33°, the only Uving Past Commanders-in-Chief of Aurora Grata Consistory, appeared in the r61es of Francis I and Wallraven respectively^ Nearly four hundred were seated at the banquet which followed in the Hotel Jermyn. Dr. Jacob Helmer's response, The Consistory, was an able and most interesting account of the founding of Keystone Consistory at Scranton. He described the support given by Brooklyn in that difficult, task, and as he recounted the alternate hopes and fears of the early workers and the manner in which Aurora Grata worked with and gave aid and encouragement to Keystone Consistory in their hours of despair the applause was pro- longed and sincere. The return was made the following day, without incident to mar a trip marked by genuine cordiality and enjoyment on the part of everyone. Each member brought back a souvenir in the shape of a paper weight made from coal, while Keystone Consistory pre- sented to Aurora Grata Consistory a beautifully- <3 ^ :i ' V- ( J 1 \ ' 5 r. (13 . ^. J', ^ ci i . . '5\ m-^-irn^ 4.J! i ■1 ■- 00 d) o M to 1 U_ -Q o 0) (0 ■D □ 1^ APPOINTMENT OF MORDECAI MYERS IN THE SUBLIME GRAND CONSISTORY NOVEMBER 24. 1808 •• »J^' k.^- '. ^ > I' .5 s 3 :n \ r ^93 >^o J > ». fsi; I ' 00 o oo C5 (D E ■U AURORA GRATA LODGE OF PERFECTION Date of Charter: November 6, 1808 OFFICERS FOR 1908-1909 Henry A. Potter Thrice Potent Master Henry C. Barthman Deputy Master Walter D. Graham Senior Warden Francis G. Coates Junior Warden Russell L. Boyer Orator Augustus K. Sloan, 33° Treasurer Theo. a. Taylor Secretary Chas. a. Brockaway Master of Ceremonies Walter H. Young Hospitaler Henry G. Story Guard Henry Edebohls, 33° Tyler Chas. H. Luscomb, 33° Trustee T. Jeff. Stevens, 33° Trustee Edward H. Watson, 33° Trustee AUBOEA GRATA COUNCIL PRINCES OF JERUSALEM Date of Charter: June 6, 1866 OFFICERS FOR 1908-1909 WiLMUTH E. Blackburn. . . .Sovereign Prince Charles G. Raynor High Priest Fred L. Pomeroy Senior Warden Paul M. Goodrich Junior Warden T. Jeff. Stevens, 33° Treasurer Theo. a. Taylor • Secretary Edward W. Walton Master of Ceremonies John Denninger Hospitaler Wm. E. Merriss Master of Entrances Henry Edebohls, 33° Tyler Robt. Judson Kenworthy, 33° Trustee John W. Richardson, 33° Trustee W. Clive Crosby Trustee AURORA GRATA CHAPTER OF ROSE CROIX Date of Charter: June 6, 1866 OFFICERS FOR 1908-1909 Chas. a. Tonsor Most Wise Master Alfred A. Adams Senior Warden Fred W. Dillingham Junior Warden William B. Dall Orator Samuel P. Hartman Treasurer Thbo. a. Taylor Secretary John A, Morison Master of Ceremonies Walter H. Young Hospitaler Albert E. Bobo Guard Henry Edebohls, 33° Tyler Edward R, Knowles, 33° Trustee Andrew Peck Trustee Matthias Gooderson Trustee ATJKORA GBATA CONSISTORY, S. P. R. S. Date of Charter : September 19, 1889 OFFICERS FOR 1908-1911 Charles H. Luscomb, 33° . . Commander-in-Chief RoBT. JuDSON Kenwortht, 33° 1st lieut-Com. Edward R. Knowles, 33° 2d lieut-Com. William 0. Campbell, 33° Orator Read G. Dilworth, 33° 1 .Chancellor Atjgustus K. Sloan, 33° Treasurer Theo. a. Taylor, 32° Secretary W. Clive Crosby, 32° Master of Ceremonies Russell L. Boyer, 32°. .Engineer and Seneschal John Denninger, 32° Hospitaler Arthur E. King, 32° Standard Bearer Arthur E. Campbell, 32° Guard Henry Edebohls, 33° Sentinel John W. Richardson, 33° Trustee Edwin D. Washburne, 33° Trustee John D. Acker, 33° Trustee ■?"^ > liltlsJiJ