Saint John's Day in Winter - 2023

      

    Houston York Rite Masonry wishes all          Brothers and Companions a joyous and                    peaceful holiday season.

 

Zerubbabel: Who was He?

 

"Zerubbabel Displays a Plan of Jerusalem to Cyrus the Great." Jacob van Loo. Musee de Beaux-Arts, Orleans.

Philip G. "Phil" Elam

 Past High Priest, Keystone Chapter No. 146, Mehlville, MO

    All Royal Arch Masons recognize the important role Zerubbabel plays in our ritual, but most of us (including the author) know very little about the man himself.  We know our Chapters are "erected to God and dedicated to Zerubbabel" - but who was this man?  Unfortunately, the Holy Bible provides scant information about the builder of the Second Temple.  What little that is known, taken from our Volume of Sacred Law, is summarized on the following paragraphs.

    The Temple that Zerubbabel built in Jerusalem in the sixth century BCE lasted longer than the Temples of Solomon and Herod combined.  However, Zerubbabel disappears from the biblical narrative even before the Second Temple is dedicated.  This has fueled speculation from leading theologians and biblical scholars that he was possibly executed for leading a messianic movement that would have crowned him king of an independent Jewish nation.

    The prophets of his day certainly seemed to have messianic expectations of Zerubbabel as a direct descendant of King David.  Haggai sad the first Jew who helped lead the first wave of his people home from exile in Babylon would be used by Yahweh to destroy other nations.  "On that day, says the Lord of Hosts, I will take you, O Zerubbabel to be my servant, the son of Shealtiel, says the Lord, and I will make you like a signet ring for I have chosen you, says the Lord of Hosts."  The words "servant," "signet ring," and "chosen" indicate that Zerubbabel was most likely born during Judah's five-decade exile in Babylon.  In fact, the name Zerubbabel itself means "seed of Babylon."

Stated Meeting Notice

 

The next Stated Assembly of Houston Council No. 1, Royal and Select Masters, will be held at the Masonic Hall at 4911 Montrose Boulevard at 7:00 PM on Monday, December 11, 2023.   Most Illustrious Aaron W. Tyksinski will be conducting his first official as Grand Master of Royal and Select Masters in Texas.  Members of the Council are encouraged to attend.  All Select Masters are welcome.

Proper attire is recommended.

Stated Meeting Notice

The next Stated Convocation of Washington Chapter No. 2, Royal Arch Masons, will be held at the Masonic Hall at 4911 Montrose Boulevard at 7:00 PM on Monday, November 13, 2023.  Members of the Chapter are encouraged to attend.  All Royal Arch Masons are welcome.

Proper attire is recommended.

Stated Meeting Notice

 

The next Stated Assembly of Houston Council No. 1, Royal and Select Masters, will be held at the Masonic Hall at 4911 Montrose Boulevard at 7:00 PM on Monday, October 9, 2023.  Members of the Council are encouraged to attend.  All Select Masters are welcome.

Proper attire is recommended.

The Ark and the Aprons in the M.E.M.

by

Wallace McLeod

(1931 - 2020)

      The central events commemorated in the Degree of Most Excellent Master are the completion and the dedication of the Temple that King Solomon erected in Jerusalem in G-d’s holy service.  In order to re-enact its completion, the Brethren, who of course represent the workmen engaged in the building, line up in two columns, which are led by the two Wardens.  They march twice around the lodge room, that is, the Temple, and then diverge, so that the Senior Warden’s column is ranged along the South, and the Junior Warden’s along the North.  They halt and turn inwards, facing the Temple.  Then the Master lays the keystone in its place in the arch, and sets it firm with three strokes of his gavel (which here serves as the setting maul).  We are left with the impression that his effort is the final touch, binding together the principal arch and completing the sacred structure.  The workmen are permitted to view the interior of the magnificent edifice, and express their wonder and admiration with appropriate gestures.

Stated Meeting Notice

 

The next Stated Convocation of Washington Chapter No. 2, Royal Arch Masons, will be held at the Masonic Hall at 4911 Montrose Boulevard at 7:00 PM on Monday, September 11, 2023.  Members of the Chapter are encouraged to attend.  All Royal Arch Masons are welcome.

Proper attire is recommended.

Stated Meeting Notice

 

The next Stated Assembly of Houston Council No. 1, Royal and Select Masters, will be held at the Masonic Hall at 4911 Montrose Boulevard at 7:00 PM on Monday, August 14, 2023.  Members of the Council are encouraged to attend.  All Select Masters are welcome.

Proper attire is recommended.

Stated Meeting Notice

 

The next Stated Convocation of Washington Chapter No. 2, Royal Arch Masons, will be held at the Masonic Hall at 4911 Montrose Boulevard at 7:00 PM on Monday, July 10, 2023.  Members of the Chapter are encouraged to attend.  All Royal Arch Masons are welcome.

Proper attire is recommended.

Saint John's Day in Summer - 2023

  Houston York Rite Masonry would like to

     wish all Brothers and Companions a safe                        and happy day.

Former Home of E. B. Nichols Destroyed by Fire

Photo:  Bay Area Entertainer

On Tuesday, May 16, 2023, Nicholstone House, the former home of E. B. Nichols, the first High Priest of Washington Chapter No. 2, Royal Arch Masons, was destroyed by fire.  It is believed that the house was struck by lightning during the storms that passed over the Houston area that day.  At the time of the fire it was considered the oldest existing house in Dickinson.

Nicholstone was built by Companion Nichols in 1857 as a summer home.  Located on Dickinson Bayou, it is said that Companion Nichols consulted with the local Native American population at the time to determine the highest point along the bayou.  The location proved advantageous, as Nicholstone was untouched by the massive flooding caused by Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

Upon Companion Nichol's death in 1872, his estate was divided among his seven sons.  One of those sons, Fred McCraven Nichols, bought the home and surrounding property from his brothers in 1890.  Originally a single-story frame structure with a central hall, the house was remodeled by Fred Nichols in 1895 to include a second story with a balcony and Victorian design elements including fretwork and a cupola.

The home and property have remained in the Nichols family for over 165 years and is presently owned by Cora Schelling Wright, the great-great-granddaughter of Companion Nichols.  In recent years, the Queen Anne Victorian-style residence had been added to the Galveston Historical Foundations "Heritage at Risk" list.

175th Anniversary Moment - First Exaltation

 

From the first book of minutes of Washington Chapter No. 2, R. A. M.:

At a called meeting of Washington Chapter No. 2  of Royal Arch Masons, held in the Chapter Room on Tuesday Night June 13th A. D. 1848, A. L. 5848, a chapter of Royal Arch Masons was opened in due and ancient form.

            M. E.    E. B. Nichols                H. P.

                 "         W. G. Eward                King  P. T.

                 "          R. Brewster                   Scribe

            Compn      A. M. Gentry                  Secy

                  "          John H. Walton          C. H.  P. T.

                  "          A. S. McGown            P. S.   P. T.

                  "          W. B. Walker             R. A. C.   P. T.

                  "          Geo. Henry                   M. 3rd Veil

                  "           E. A. Stephens                 "  2nd Veil

                  "            Wm. Henry Eliot           "    1st Veil 

                  "            Wm. H. King              Sentinel

Bros. Peter W. Gray, Wm. Thomson and M. M. Hill were conducted in, and exalted to the Sublime Degree of Royal Arch Masons in due and ancient form. No further business appearing the Chapter was closed in due and ancient form and peace and unity.

      Attest-

A. M. Gentry, Secy

175th Anniversary Moment - First Meeting

From the first book of minutes of Washington Chapter No. 2, R. A. M.:

At a meeting of the membership of Washington Chapter No. 2 of Royal Arch Masons, held in the Ruthven Encampment Room in the city of Houston, May 28, 1848, A. L. 5848.  Meeting organized with __________

M. E.  N. T. Davis as High Priest P. T., John H. Browne King P. T., George Henry Scribe, Comp'n John N. Reed C. Host, A. M. Gentry Secy., R. M. DeChene Master of the 3rd Veil, J. A. Southmayd M. 2nd V., W. G. Evans M. 1st V., Wm. H. King Sentinel.  On motion, the dispensation from the General G. Chapter of R. A. Masons for the United States of A., authorizing us to work and open a chapter, was read together with the accompanying letter from the General Grand Secretary, and was ordered to be spread upon the Records.  Companions A. M. Gentry, R. M. DeChene, and John N. Reed were appointed a committee to draft and report a set of by-laws for the chapter.  On motion adjourned until tomorrow evening May 29th, 1848.

Stated Meeting Notice

 

The next Stated Assembly of Houston Council No. 1, Royal and Select Masters, will be held at the Masonic Hall at 4911 Montrose Boulevard at 7:00 PM on Monday, June 12, 2023.  In addition to the regular order of business, the election of officers for the 2023 - 2024 Cryptic year will be elected.  Members of the Council are encouraged to attend.  All Select Masters are welcome.

Proper attire is recommended.

175th Anniversary Moment - Dispensation

 

From the first book of minutes of Washington Chapter No. 2, R. A. M.:

To all whom it may concern,

Greeting

Whereas a petition of sundry Royal Arch Masons in the State of Texas, praying that a dispensation may be granted them to open and hold a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, and Lodges of the appendant orders, at the City of Houston in the County of Harris and the State aforesaid, has been presented to me for consideration, ~ And whereas it appears to me that the prayers of the petitioners ought to be granted . . . . . .

Stated Meeting Notice

 

The next Stated Convocation of Washington Chapter No. 2, Royal Arch Masons, will be held at the Masonic Hall at 4911 Montrose Boulevard at 7:00 PM on Monday, May 8, 2023.  In addition to the regular order of business, the election of officers for the 2023 - 2024 capitular year will be held.  Members of the Chapter are encouraged to attend.  All Royal Arch Masons are welcome.

Proper attire is recommended. 

Upcoming Degree Work (POSTPONED)

 

PLEASE NOTE:  The Past Master Degree and Most Excellent Master Degree scheduled for May 22 have been postponed.  A new date for the conferral of these degrees has not been set.  Both the calendar and this post have been updated accordingly.

By order of the MEHP Emetrio Abanillo, a Past Master Degree as well as a Most Excellent Master Degree have been scheduled for Monday, May 22, 2023, at the Masonic Hall at 4911 Montrose Boulevard at 7:00 PM.  Members of the Chapter are encouraged to attend.  All who have obtained the degree of Most Excellent Master are welcome. 

Proper attire is recommended.

175th Anniversary Moment

 

Preamble to the first book of minutes of Washington Chapter No. 2, R. A. M.:

 

From the action of the General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons for the United States of America at the triennial meeting of that body in September A. D. 1847, upon the subject of a body styled the “Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of Texas,” and from subsequent study of the matter, the following gentlemen, viz., E. B. Nichols, Nelson T. Davis, Robert Brewster, Abram. McGenty, William G. Evans, R. M. DeChene, George Henry, Eli A. Stephens, John A. Southmayd, John H. Brown, John N. Reed, and William H. King, who had been members of “Houston Royal Arch Chapter No. 8” held in the City of Houston, under the jurisdiction of the aforesaid “Grand Royal Arch Chapter of the State of Texas,” upon mature deliberation were fully satisfied that the so-styled “Grand Chapter of the State of Texas” was not a legal masonic body and therefore withdrew from all masonic connection or intercourse as Royal Arch Masons with that body or any person or persons working under its authority or recognizing its legality.  And from a laudable desire to advance the interest of the Royal Craft, they on the first day of April A. D. 1848, proceeded in a body to the City of Galveston, and procured themselves to be formally healed in San Felipe de Austin Chapter No. 1, held in that city under the jurisdiction and authority of the “General Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons for the United States of America,” and immediately forwarded on to the General Grand officers a petition for a Dispensation to hold a Chapter if R. A. Masons in the City of Houston, to be distinguished by the name Washington Royal Arch Chapter No. 2.

Stated Meeting Notice

 

The next Stated Assembly of Houston Council No. 1, Royal and Select Masters, will be held at the Masonic Hall at 4911 Montrose Boulevard at 7:00 PM on Monday, April 10, 2023.  Members of the Council are encouraged to attend.  All Select Masters are welcome.

Proper attire is recommended.

What is this? A pot of Manna!

 

by

 Stanley Clarke Wyllie

(1909 - 1985)

     We might also ask, “What is this pot of manna and what is its significance in York Rite Masonry, especially in the degree of Royal Arch?”

     The first account of manna is in the book of manna is in the book of Exodus.  The followers of Moses had been in the desert for more than a month and were in want of food.  Quail were sent by the Lord in the evening, and after the dew had gone there was on the face of the wilderness a fine, flake-like thing, fine as hoarfrost on the ground.  The people asked, “What is it?” or “Man hu?” (in Hebrew).  Moses replied, “It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat.”

     The people of Israel were told to gather the manna and not leave any until morning.  Some left a part, and it became worms and foul.  Morning by morning it was gathered, and when the sun grew hot it melted.  This divine supply lasted for 40 years and ceased the day after the people ate the produce of Canaan.  God never wastes his power; once the need for the manna was over it ceased to fall.

Stated Meeting Notice

 

The next Stated Convocation of Washington Chapter No. 2, Royal Arch Masons, will be held at the Masonic Hall at 4911 Montrose Boulevard at 7:00 PM on Monday, March 13, 2023.  Members of the Chapter are encouraged to attend.  All Royal Arch Masons are welcome.

Proper attire is recommended.

Stated Meeting Notice

 

The next Stated Assembly of Houston Council No. 1, Royal and Select Masters, will be held at the Masonic Hall at 4911 Montrose Boulevard at 7:00 PM on Monday, February 13, 2023. Right Illustrious Edward Peebles, District Deputy Grand Master of Capitular District No. 6, will be making his first official visit to the Council.  Members of the Council are encouraged to attend.  All Select Masters are welcome.

Proper attire is recommended.

Degree Work (UPDATED)

 

PLEASE NOTE:  The Most Excellent Master Degree has been rescheduled for March 6.  Both the calendar and this post have been updated accordingly.

By order of the MEHP Emetrio Abanillo, a Most Excellent Master Degree has been scheduled for Monday, March 6, 2023, at the Masonic Hall at 4911 Montrose Boulevard at 7:00 PM.  Members of the Chapter are encouraged to attend.  All who have obtained the degree of Most Excellent Mason are welcome. 

Proper attire is recommended.

Stated Meeting Notice

 

The next Stated Convocation of Washington Chapter No. 2, Royal Arch Masons, will be held at the Masonic Hall at 4911 Montrose Boulevard at 7:00 PM on Monday, January 9, 2023.  Members of the Chapter are encouraged to attend.  All Royal Arch Masons are welcome.

Proper attire is recommended.