Proceedings 211th 2008 J. John Jones - Grand Chapter State of ...

man of the Masonic Care Community Royal Arch Exhibits Committee for several years. The
Grand Chapter, State of New York, Royal Arch Masons, hereby salutes his dedicated efforts
in preserving the historical artifacts of this noble craft. In commemoration of this honorable
service this certificate is hereby issued this 7th day of March 2008.”
I had the displeasure of the warrants from four Chapters in the State of New York this past
year. It is something I looked at and thought long and hard about. It wasn’t anything easy
for me to do and it still isn’t easy for me to do, because they are all my companions, but there
was definitely a problem there. The four Chapter were: Mt. Horeb #75 in the Sixth District;
Lebanon #13, Raymond #248 and Rip VanWinkle #250 in the 10th District. I will give you
a short explanation of why I did this. Raymond Chapter #248 only had five members left
in it. They hadn’t met in a long, long time and no hope of getting new members. Lebanon
Chapter #13 hadn’t had a meeting in six years. There were only seventeen members and
most of them lived out of town or so old they couldn’t attend. I called the Secretary of Rip
VanWinkle Chapter #250 that was listed in the directory and he said he hadn’t been Secretary
for six years. I decided to investigate the situation. He was sending in the percapita
from funds they had, but no dues notices or other letters were being sent to the members.
He tried three times to get five people to attend a meeting, but they wouldn’t come out. Mt.
Horeb Chapter #75 had practically the reasons as Rip VanWinkle. They hadn’t met for six
years even thou notices had been sent out. These Chapters were lost causes.
I now ask the Judge Advocate, Right Excellent Harvey Eysman, to come to the East to tell
you what happens when such a thing happens and why and what the constitution says about
it so you can vote and the people from those Chapters given the opportunity to vote for or
against the Warrants being withdrawn. It is your decision, not mine.
Thank you Most Excellent Grand High Priest. I am not going to spend a lot of time on this
because there is a procedure that the constitution sets forth on this. The Grand High Priest
really didn’t have any choice my companions. These Chapters were violating sections and
the constitution provides that the Grand High Priest shall, which means he must, take the
action he took. As soon as the Grand High Priest becomes aware of these things, he got no
choice. However, the Grand High Priest as with all the Grand Presiding Officers, only acts
between Grand sessions and it is you that technically have the final say. The lifting of these
Warrants is only effective through this Grand Convocation and if we don’t take action on it
the Warrants go right back. However, it’s not fair to the companions who are members of
those Chapters who are potentially in danger of losing their membership because of the actions
of the Chapter. This is not necessarily the direct fault of the officers. If you don’t have
enough people and people are unwilling to take the chairs you can’t pound them on the
head. What has to be done now is that we have to vote on whether or not to ratify the actions
of the Grand High Priest. In each of these cases the Chapters are incapable of functioning
and I think that it is encumbent on each of you to recognize that if you give these
Chapters back their Warrant they will immediately be in violation of the constitution. The
one thing that the constitution does permit is that each of these Chapters have the right to
be heard if they wish to refute or offer some statement on their behalf. On the basis of that
if there is anybody here from Mt. Horeb Chapter, would he please rise if he wishes to be
heard. What about Lebanon Chapter? Does anyone wish to be heard from Lebanon Chapter.
Rip VanWinkle Chapter? Yes, please come to the East. Please give me your name. My
name is George J. Wikes. At the present time I am the High Priest of Rip VanWinkle Chapter.
I didn’t expect this but I will give you an explanation. Naturally Rip Van Winkle was
reorganized back several years ago from Catskill Chapter #285. We had a High Priest there
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2008