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Article THE ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED RITE IN AMERICA. ← Page 2 of 4 Article THE ANCIENT AND ACCEPTED RITE IN AMERICA. Page 2 of 4 →
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Ancient And Accepted Rite In America.
that they may be acknoAvledged as such by all regular bodies of the Ancient and Accepted Rite under this jurisdiction . They were that : — - " In tlie summer of 1 S 66 , a member of Hope Lodge , No . 2 < J 4 1 ? . and A . M ., City of New York , wliile ^ sojourning in France ,
was initiated into the Kite of Memphis . On liis return to New York , having been very much impressed with the ceremonies of the ritual , as practised in Prance , lie sought an interview with "W . Bro . James M . I-Iubbs , at that time Master of Hope Lodge , and having represented to film tlie advantages of holding membership in some body working under the auspices of the Grand
Orient of Prance , informed him that the Grand Hierophante was desirious of opening a correspondence with him . After tlie correspondence had been fairly commenced , a representative of the order in New York , by express authority of J . et Marconis de Negro , Grand Hierophante . conferred upon him the degrees and communicated to him the instructions appertaining to the
Eite of Memphis , the A . and A . Kite , ancl the French Rite . After the degrees had been conferred upon him , he was informed that the Grand Hicrophante and the members ofthe Supreme Council for the Government of the order , were very much dissatisfied with the administration ofthe order in the United States : he was also informed that the Grand Ilierophante was very anxious to find some brother who had held office in the York Eite " whose
character was above reproach , ancl who had the requisite auioutifc of executive ability , " who would accept the position of Grand Master of the Rita for the United States . Brother Hubbs , being Master of a large and influential loelge , did not wish to compromise his own reputation , or that of his lodge , by identifying himself with any Kite in a manner that was not
strictly in accordance with the constitutions of that Kite ; he therefore took Ins membership , and the authorization of the Grand Hicrophante , empowering a representative to confer the degrees upon him , to M . AA . Bro . Robert D . Holmes , then Grand Master of Masons of the State of Now York , and asked hirn plainly and distinctly if the Grand Heirophante had authority
to empower a representative to confer the degrees upon him , and if he was legally in possession of the degrees . M . AV . Bro-Holmes informed him most emphatically that the Grand Heirophante had the power , ancl that the degrees had been legally conferred upon him . After some further correspondence , the Grand Ilierophante appointed Bro . Hubbs his representative for the United States , ancl informed hirn that by virtue of this
appointment he was authorized to found all tlie subordinate bodies he might deem necessary and to confer the degrees . The Grand Ilierophante also empowered him to associate with himself several brethren , upon whom lie was directed to confer tbe degrees , who , with himself , would form the Supreme Governing Body for tho United States . Bro . Hubbs did as directed , and after duly organizing , sent a copy of the proceedings to the
Grand Ilierophante at Paris , who then informed him that the names of the brethren hael been inscribed in the Grand Book of Gold , anel their official rank confirmed , the name of Bro . Hubbs being inscribed therein as the Grand Master of the Supreme Governing Council General for the United States . By direction of the Grand Hierophante , Bro . Hubbs was authorized
to confer the the thirty-three degrees , and was furnished with complete rituals of the A . anel A . Kite for that purpose , which rituals he still holds in his possession . Bros . James M . Hubbs , John J . Gorman , ancl AA'illnrd C . Black , in anticipation of conferring tho thirty-throe degrees according to the rituals of the A . and A . Kite , which had heen furnished to them ( in French
The Ancient And Accepted Rite In America.
manuscript ) , for that purpose , had already commenced the translation of said rituals , but after an interview with M . W Bro . John \ A . Simmons , Past Grand Master of Masons of the-State of New York ( who advised them to let the subject rest for the present ) , the translation of the rituals was abandoned , and hy advice of 111 . Bro . Daniel Sickels , they were securely placed
beyond the reach of any except themselves , to await the actionof your Most Pussiant Body . That your petitioners are in possession of the degrees of the A . and A . Rite is beyond dispute ; and having received their degrees by authority of a regularly constituted body working under the auspices of the Grand Orient of France , they claim
that they are legimitely in possession of those degrees , and aretherefore entitled to all the rights and privileges which they confer . They received the degrees in good faith , having full confidence in the representations made to them , and paid the full amount demanded for the same without question , believing that all degrees conferred by authority of a Masonic body
working under the auspices of the Grand Orient of France , must he regular and acknowledged as such by all the Masonic Bodies of the world . And even had any doubt existed as to the jurisdiction over those degrees , the fact of the Grand . Hierophante sending the complete rituals of the thirty-three degrees of the A . ancl A . Rite , would have been satisfactory evidence to them ,,
that the entire proceedings were regular ; for your petitioners could not believe that a Mason occupying the exalted position of the Grand Hierophante could be guilty of so gross a violation of Masonic faith , as to send these rituals if he was not authorized so to do . Your petitioners present the above facts , for your consideration by the advice of 111 . Bro . Daniel Sickels , 33 ° , and 111 . Bro . John W . Simmons , 33 ° ,
whoalthough they believe that there have been irregularities in the manner of your petitioners receiving the degrees of the A . and A Rite , yet considered the subject of sufficient importance to claim , your attention aud definite action . Your petitioners do not claim any rights to membership in any of the bodies of the A . and A . Kite ; they simply ask to be . recognised by your Most Puissant and Most Illustrious Body , as being in possession of
thethirty-third degree ; aud should you in your wisdom decide that there has heen an irregularity in the manner of their receiving , the degrees , they pray that you will correct such irregularity , by such process as you may consider the case requires ; after which , if on due petition and ballot , subordinate bodies of the A . and A .. Rite may decide to admit them to membership , ( on payment of
the regular affiliation fee ) , they will become active , and to the best of their abilities , useful members of the Rite . In conclusion , your petitioners would most fraternally request that you would give the above facts your serious consideration , and accord to them tho privileges they should „ in justice enjoy ( they having acted in good faith , and paid for all that they have
received ); The memorial was referred to a special committee , who made a report , in which they state that they have fully and carefullyinvestigated the matters connected therewith , with an earnest desire to grant th © relief asked bv tho memorialists , if possible From the papers laid before the Committee it is evident that
these brethren have been the victims of imposture , but without discussing that question the Committee has arrived at the conclusion , and so reports , that the prayer cannot be granted with , out an entire departure from the principles and safeguards of the Kite . The Supreme Council can no more grant them relief , and recognise them as Sovereign Inspectors General than it could if some municipal Body had assumed to confer upon them that
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
The Ancient And Accepted Rite In America.
that they may be acknoAvledged as such by all regular bodies of the Ancient and Accepted Rite under this jurisdiction . They were that : — - " In tlie summer of 1 S 66 , a member of Hope Lodge , No . 2 < J 4 1 ? . and A . M ., City of New York , wliile ^ sojourning in France ,
was initiated into the Kite of Memphis . On liis return to New York , having been very much impressed with the ceremonies of the ritual , as practised in Prance , lie sought an interview with "W . Bro . James M . I-Iubbs , at that time Master of Hope Lodge , and having represented to film tlie advantages of holding membership in some body working under the auspices of the Grand
Orient of Prance , informed him that the Grand Hierophante was desirious of opening a correspondence with him . After tlie correspondence had been fairly commenced , a representative of the order in New York , by express authority of J . et Marconis de Negro , Grand Hierophante . conferred upon him the degrees and communicated to him the instructions appertaining to the
Eite of Memphis , the A . and A . Kite , ancl the French Rite . After the degrees had been conferred upon him , he was informed that the Grand Hicrophante and the members ofthe Supreme Council for the Government of the order , were very much dissatisfied with the administration ofthe order in the United States : he was also informed that the Grand Ilierophante was very anxious to find some brother who had held office in the York Eite " whose
character was above reproach , ancl who had the requisite auioutifc of executive ability , " who would accept the position of Grand Master of the Rita for the United States . Brother Hubbs , being Master of a large and influential loelge , did not wish to compromise his own reputation , or that of his lodge , by identifying himself with any Kite in a manner that was not
strictly in accordance with the constitutions of that Kite ; he therefore took Ins membership , and the authorization of the Grand Hicrophante , empowering a representative to confer the degrees upon him , to M . AA . Bro . Robert D . Holmes , then Grand Master of Masons of the State of Now York , and asked hirn plainly and distinctly if the Grand Heirophante had authority
to empower a representative to confer the degrees upon him , and if he was legally in possession of the degrees . M . AV . Bro-Holmes informed him most emphatically that the Grand Heirophante had the power , ancl that the degrees had been legally conferred upon him . After some further correspondence , the Grand Ilierophante appointed Bro . Hubbs his representative for the United States , ancl informed hirn that by virtue of this
appointment he was authorized to found all tlie subordinate bodies he might deem necessary and to confer the degrees . The Grand Ilierophante also empowered him to associate with himself several brethren , upon whom lie was directed to confer tbe degrees , who , with himself , would form the Supreme Governing Body for tho United States . Bro . Hubbs did as directed , and after duly organizing , sent a copy of the proceedings to the
Grand Ilierophante at Paris , who then informed him that the names of the brethren hael been inscribed in the Grand Book of Gold , anel their official rank confirmed , the name of Bro . Hubbs being inscribed therein as the Grand Master of the Supreme Governing Council General for the United States . By direction of the Grand Hierophante , Bro . Hubbs was authorized
to confer the the thirty-three degrees , and was furnished with complete rituals of the A . anel A . Kite for that purpose , which rituals he still holds in his possession . Bros . James M . Hubbs , John J . Gorman , ancl AA'illnrd C . Black , in anticipation of conferring tho thirty-throe degrees according to the rituals of the A . and A . Kite , which had heen furnished to them ( in French
The Ancient And Accepted Rite In America.
manuscript ) , for that purpose , had already commenced the translation of said rituals , but after an interview with M . W Bro . John \ A . Simmons , Past Grand Master of Masons of the-State of New York ( who advised them to let the subject rest for the present ) , the translation of the rituals was abandoned , and hy advice of 111 . Bro . Daniel Sickels , they were securely placed
beyond the reach of any except themselves , to await the actionof your Most Pussiant Body . That your petitioners are in possession of the degrees of the A . and A . Rite is beyond dispute ; and having received their degrees by authority of a regularly constituted body working under the auspices of the Grand Orient of France , they claim
that they are legimitely in possession of those degrees , and aretherefore entitled to all the rights and privileges which they confer . They received the degrees in good faith , having full confidence in the representations made to them , and paid the full amount demanded for the same without question , believing that all degrees conferred by authority of a Masonic body
working under the auspices of the Grand Orient of France , must he regular and acknowledged as such by all the Masonic Bodies of the world . And even had any doubt existed as to the jurisdiction over those degrees , the fact of the Grand . Hierophante sending the complete rituals of the thirty-three degrees of the A . ancl A . Rite , would have been satisfactory evidence to them ,,
that the entire proceedings were regular ; for your petitioners could not believe that a Mason occupying the exalted position of the Grand Hierophante could be guilty of so gross a violation of Masonic faith , as to send these rituals if he was not authorized so to do . Your petitioners present the above facts , for your consideration by the advice of 111 . Bro . Daniel Sickels , 33 ° , and 111 . Bro . John W . Simmons , 33 ° ,
whoalthough they believe that there have been irregularities in the manner of your petitioners receiving the degrees of the A . and A Rite , yet considered the subject of sufficient importance to claim , your attention aud definite action . Your petitioners do not claim any rights to membership in any of the bodies of the A . and A . Kite ; they simply ask to be . recognised by your Most Puissant and Most Illustrious Body , as being in possession of
thethirty-third degree ; aud should you in your wisdom decide that there has heen an irregularity in the manner of their receiving , the degrees , they pray that you will correct such irregularity , by such process as you may consider the case requires ; after which , if on due petition and ballot , subordinate bodies of the A . and A .. Rite may decide to admit them to membership , ( on payment of
the regular affiliation fee ) , they will become active , and to the best of their abilities , useful members of the Rite . In conclusion , your petitioners would most fraternally request that you would give the above facts your serious consideration , and accord to them tho privileges they should „ in justice enjoy ( they having acted in good faith , and paid for all that they have
received ); The memorial was referred to a special committee , who made a report , in which they state that they have fully and carefullyinvestigated the matters connected therewith , with an earnest desire to grant th © relief asked bv tho memorialists , if possible From the papers laid before the Committee it is evident that
these brethren have been the victims of imposture , but without discussing that question the Committee has arrived at the conclusion , and so reports , that the prayer cannot be granted with , out an entire departure from the principles and safeguards of the Kite . The Supreme Council can no more grant them relief , and recognise them as Sovereign Inspectors General than it could if some municipal Body had assumed to confer upon them that