R.A. Masonry In Nebraska.

R . A . MASONRY IN NEBRASKA .

THE Fifteenth Annual Convocation of the Grand Chapter of Nebraska was held in the Masonic Hall , Lincoln , Nebraska , on the 20 th and 21 st December 1881 . The Companions assembled at three o ' clock in the afternoon of the former day , thero being

present—Comp . H . Baxter "Nicodemns - Grand High Priest Samuel P Davidson - - Grand Kin " Edwin F . Warren as - - Grand Scribe Christian Hartman - . Grand Treasurer William R . Bowen ¦ Grand Secretary

Eobert W . Parnas - Grand Lecturer Jefferson H . Foxworthy Grand Captain of the Host Francis E . White , as - - Grand Principal Sojourner Alfred G . Hastings as - Grand Royal Arch Captain

Jesse T . Davis as - . Grand Master Third Vail Charles A . Holmes as - Grand Master Second Vail James A . Tulleys - . Grand Master First Vail Oren N . Wheelock . - Grand Steward John McClelland - Grand Sentinel

together with representatives of eighteen ont of the twentythree Chapters in the jurisdiction , and also of nine of the Grand Chapters in N . America . The several Committees on Eetnrns , Jurisprudence , Finance and Accounts , & c . having been appointed , the M . E . Comp . Grand High Priest

Nicodemns proceeded to givehis customary address , in which he reviewed the events of the past year , and congratulated those present on the healthy and prosperous condition of Royal Arch Masonry in Nebraska , and the harmony which had prevailed throughout the entire jurisdiction .

Dispensations for two new Chapters had been granted , and the old Chapters , with a solitary exception , remained in a healthy state . The address was referred , as usual , to a Committee , and the Grand Secretary then read his . Report . Other business having been transacted , the

Grand Chapter adjourned till the evening , when the Companions reassembled under the presidency of their chief , and a Report by M . E . Companion William R . Bowen General Grand Priest of the United States was referred to the Committee on Jurisprudence . The following morning the

session was resumed , and the Report of the Committee on Finance and Accounts was submitted , the statement showing that , after the payment of the various appropriations

that had been approved , there remained in hand a balance to the credit of the Grand Chapter amounting to close on " 50 dollars . The following were then elected Officers for the ensuing year , namely ,

comp . Samnel P . Davidson 9 - Grand High Priest William H Manger 8 - Deputy Grand High Priest James A . Tnlleys 19 - - Grand King Henry E . Palmer 3 - - Grand Scribe Christian Hartman 1 - . Grand Treasnrer William R . Bowen 1 - - Grand Secretary

while , at the afternoon sitting , Comp . the Grand High " nest elect announced that he had made the following appointments , namely : — Con > p . Frank E . Bollard 15 - - Grand Chaplain Robert W . Furnas 4 - - Grand Lecturer Oren N . Wheelock 10 . - Grand Captain of the Host Parley M . Hartson 1 - - Grand Principal Sojourner

James Tyler 6 - - Grand Royal Arch Captain Ithamar T . Benjamin 17 Grand Master 3 rd Vail Walter J . Thompson 16 Grand Master 2 nd Vail

John D . Moore 11 - Grand Master 1 st Vail Emanuel Fist jun . 21 - Grand Steward Wilson M . Maddox 5 - Grand Steward Francis S White 3 - - Grand Sentinel

The newly-elected and appointed Officers having been duly installed and sixty dollars having been appropriated towards obtaining the customary testimonial of an engraved portrait to Past Grand High Priest Nicodemns , Grand Chapter was closed .

As regards the strength of the degree m this jurisdiction it would appear that there has been an increase in the membership of the subordinate Chapters amounting to 91 , the number on the table of returns in 1880 being 841 , and for 1881 932 . This gives an average of about forty members

per Chapter , and justifies the congratulatory tone adopted by Comp . Nicodemns in his address already referred to . We can only express a hope that the year 1882 may prove as satisfactory in extending and strengthening Capitular Masonry in the State .

Grand Council Of Massachusetts.

GRAND COUNCIL OF MASSACHUSETTS .

rpHE annual assembly of the Grand Council of Royal and Select Masters of Massachusetts was held in the Masonic Temple , Boston , on the 14 th December 1881 . The following Grand Officers were present , namely : — Comp . Albert L . Richardson - Most Illustrious Grand "Master

William A . Farnsworth - Deputy Grand Master Sylvanus Cobb jnn . - Grand Pr . of the Work Charles W . Romney - Grand Treasnrer John Haigh - - - Grand Recorder Engene H . Richards - Grand Master of Ceremonies

Eev . John W . Dadmun . Grand Chaplain Charles G . Brooks - ¦ Captain of the Guards M . Perry Sargent . . Grand Steward E . A . Hoi ton ... Grand Lecturer Benj . F . Nburse . . Grand Sentinel

There were also present a number of Past Grand Officers as well as the representatives of sixteen Councils . The M . IU . Grand Master , in his review of the events of the past year , expi'essed himself well satisfied with the past and present condition of the degree , and hopeful of its future .

Peace and prosperity had reigned throughout the entire jurisdiction . They were on terms of friendship with other Grand Councils , while as regards their financial state , though he could not speak positively , owing to the lack of returns , he knew enough to be in a position to say they

were satisfactory , there being a balance in hand of over 143 dollars . After a sympathetic reference to the virtues of the late Comp . H . Checkering , to whom he expressed his

intention of devoting a memorial page in the Proceedings of the Grand Council , tho M . IU . Grand Master closed his address by resigning his office , which he had unfortunately been unable to fulfil as he should have liked on account of his health . The following were then elected Grand Officers for the ensuing year , namely : —

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