CHAPTER I.

X)fthe Government of Royal Arch Chapters.

THE first three degrees of masonry are holden
tmder the authorky oi Orand Lodges^ composed
of the master and wardens of all the lodges^witbin
a certain district, together 'with the proper grand
officers ; the organization of which, will be no-
ticed in another part of this work.

In like manner chapters of royal arch masons,
with power to confer the preparatory degrees oi"
mark roaster, past master, and most excellent
master, are holden \mder the authority of grand
chapters, composed oi the three principal officers
of all the royal arch chapters within a certam dis-
trict, together with the proper grand officers.

Until the year 17^7, no grand chapter of royal
arch masons was organized in America. Previously
to this period, a competent number of companions

Ida FREEMASON'S MONITOlt.

of that degree^ possessed of sufiicient abilities^ JUa*
det the sanction of a master's warranty proceeded
to exercise the rights and privileges of royal arch
chapters, whenever they thought it expedient and
jiroper ; although in most cases the approbation
of a neighbouring chapter was deemed useful, if

not ess^tisd.

This unrestrained mode of proceeding was sub-
ject to many inconveniences ; unsuitable charac-
ters might be admitted ; irregularities in the mode
of working introduced ; the purposes of the society
perverted ; and thu^ the order degraded, by falHng
into XhM lianas of those who might be regardless
of the reputation of the inatitution. If difierencee
should arise between two chapters, who was t#
decide upon them ? If unworthy chtraders^ wh*
for want of due caution had gained adousaio^
should attempt^ to open new chapters, for their
own emolument, or for the porposee of conviviali-
ty or intetnperaBce, who was to restrain them f
K the estaWshed regulaticffls^ aad aKcieet land-
niarks, sboold be violated or brokea down, where
"was there power sufficient to remedy the evil ? .

SeoaiHe of the existence of these, and many
other inconvenien^s to which tbeorder were tab-.
Jected, the chapters of royal arch masons, in various
parts of the United States, have, within a few year»
past, tufcen the prqwr and M(cegsaiy^nM««ires.ipr

ntBEMLMoirs MOKrrai^ 199

forming and establiahmg grand royal arch chaptem^
tor their better government and regulation.

Ib the year 1797, a convention of representa-
tives from the several chapters in the state of
Pennsylvania, met at Philadelphia ; and, after
mature deliberation, cam^ to a resolution <^ form-
ing and opening a grand royal arch chapter, whicb
was accordingly accomplished in good harmony.

Actuated by sunilar motives, on the 24th of
.October, 17d7, a convention of committees, from
several chapters in the northern states,, assembled
at Mason's Hall, in Boston ; being appointed (as
expressed in their credentials) '^ To meet with
any, or every chapter of royal arch masons, W'ithitt
the states of New-Hampshire, Massachusetts^
Rhode-Island, Connecticut, Vermont, and New-
York ; or with any committee or committees, du-
ly appointed and authorised, by aq^ or all of said
chapters, and to deliberate upon the propriety and
expediency of forming and establishing a grand
chapter of royal arch masons, for the government
mnd regulation of the several chapters within the
taid states.'^