CHAPTER X. Grand Royal Arch Chapter of Kentucky. A convention of royal arch masons, residing in differ ent parts of the state of Kentucky, was holden at Lexington on the 14th day of October, A. D. 1816, when the following proceedings took place, viz. 1 "Whereas it has been deemed important by the Royal Arch Masons residing in the state of Kentucky, that they should work in a regular and constitutional manner; that the benefits arising thereby may be permanent and uniform: and whereas doubts have arisen as to the power of any grand lodge to establish chapters of royal arch masons: it has therefore been deemed expedient to appoint committees from Lexington, Frankfort, and Shelbyville, at and near which places most of the R. A. Companions in this state reside; to meet at Lexington, on the 14th day of October, A. D. 1816, to take the subject into consideration. The said committees, having assembled, and produced their credentials, appointed John Willett, M. D. chairman, and Anderson Miller, Esq. Secretary. "The object of the meeting having been taken into consideration, it was unanimously "Resolved as the opinion of this general committee, that for the regular establishment of a chapter of royal arch masons it is necessary to procure authority from some regularly constituted grand royal arch chapter, having power to grant the same. "Resolved, that as there is a general grand royal arch chapter for the United States of America, properly constituted, and authorized to grant charters for the establishment of lodges of mark masters, past masters, most excellent masters, and chapters of royal arch masons, our authority and power ought to emanate from them. Resolved, that it appears by the general grand royal arch constitution, that either of the first four general grand officers has authority to grant warrants for instituting lodges and chapters as aforesaid and whereas the M. E. Thomas Smith Webb, deputy general grand high priest of the general grand chapter, is now in this place, therefore "Resolved, that petitions be immediately prepared and presented to the said M. E. deputy general grand high priest, for warrants to establish chapters of royal arch masons in the several towns of Lexington, Frankfort, and Shelbyville; which said resolutions and preambles were unanimously adopted." Application having been made to the deputy general grand high priest in constitutional form, for authority to establish a royal arch chapter in Lexington, by the name of Lexington Chapter; another in Frankfort, by the name of Frankfort Chapter; and another in Shelbyville, by the name of Shelbyville Chapter; he issued charters for the same accordingly, on the 15th day of October, A. D. 1816. On the day following, the deputy general grand high priest attended at the masonic hall, in Lexington, and installed the officers of the several chapters before -mentioned into their respective offices in ample form. The grand royal arch chapter of Vermont was organized A. L. 5806, and admitted into the union under the general grand royal arch constitution. Meeting for the election of the several grand officers on the first Wednesday in June annually. SUBORDINATE CHAPTERS. No. 1. Green Mountain Chapter, Rutland. 3. Champlain Chapter, St. Alban's. 5. King Solomon's Chapter, Montpelier. 7. Chapter, Bradford. King Solomon's Chapter, N. Y. meets on the third Wednesdays of January, March, May, July, September, October, and November. Hiram Union Mark Lodge, Pawlet. Union Mark Lodge, Middlebury. CHAPTER XII. Grand Royal Arch Chapter of New-Hampshire. The grand chapter of New-Hampshire was established A. L. 5819, and incorporated June 22d, same year. Communications, 2d Wednesday in July, each year, to be holden at the places where subordinate chapters are now held, beginning at No. 1, and contin ued in rotation. Present officers, M. E. John Harris, of Hopkinton, G. H. P. E. Thomas S. Bowles, of Portsmouth, D. G. H. P. SUBORDINATE CHAPTERS. St. Andrew's Chapter, No. 1, at Hanover. Trinity Chapter, No. 2, at Hopkinton. Washington Chapter, No. 3, at Portsmouth. Communications 4th Tuesday of every other month, commen→ ing with February. Cheshire Chapter, at Keene. Established May 4, 5816. CHAPTER XIII. CEREMONIES AND CHARGES ON THE Installation of the Officers of a Royal Arch Chapter. Written and arranged by Thomas Smith Webb, Deputy General Grand High Priest. 1. The grand officers will meet at a convenient place, and open. 2. The subordinate chapter will meet in the outer courts of their hall, and form an avenue for the reception of the grand officers. 3. When formed they will despatch a committee to the place where the grand officers are assembled, to inform the grand marshal that the chapter is prepared to receive them; the grand marshal will announce the same to the grand officers, and introduce the committee. 4. The grand officers will move in procession, conducted by the committee, to the hall of the chapter; when the grand high priest enters, the chapter will give the grand honours. 5. When the grand officers have passed through the avenue, the chapter will form rank entire, and face to the front; the officers of the chapter then file off, and form a front rank two paces in advance of their members. 6. The grand secretary will then call over the names of the officers elect, and the grand high priest will ask whether they accept their respective offices. If they answer in the affirmative, he then asks the members whether they remain satisfied with their choice. If they answer in the affirmative, he directs their officers to approach the sacred volume, and become qualified for installation, according to ancient usage and custom. 7. The grand marshal will then form the whole in procession, in single files, and in case the ceremonies are to be performed in public, they will march to the church, or if they are to be performed in private they will march through the veils into the inner apartment, where they will surround the altar, which is to be previously furnished and prepared, in ample form, for the occasion. 8. All present will then kneel, and the following prayer will be recited : "Almighty and Supreme Governor and Ruler of heaven and earth! who is there in heaven but thee, |