-Grand Chapter Adopts Several Amendments At December Meeting
One Man's Decision Made the Difference
No one needs to be reminded that the establishment of our Republic in large measure was created through the ability, resourcefulness, character and constancy of Bro. George Washington. Lesser known is the specific action of The adoption of a large number of Washington in dealing with the urgent request .of his officers that he become amendments to its constitution was the the monarch of the struggling young country. H1s response could be the reason we have a Republic, not a Monarchy· principal feature of the December Conditions in the Army reached a Quarterly Communication of the crisis after the surrender of Cornwallis Grand Holy Royal Arch Chapter of at Yorktown. To the Congress, the Pennsylvania, held in Renaissance war was over and the soldiers were Hall in the Masonic Temple in Philapractically forgotten. delphia, December 2, 1965. The The troops were ill-fed, ill-clothed, amendments are designed to streamdiscouraged and bitter. The prospect line some of the procedures of the of peace brought them small consolasubordinate chapters. tion, because it was evident that the As is customary in odd numbered Congress had little inclination to pay years; all the officers of Grand Chapter them or even thank them. were re-elected. They are: W. Irvine There were secret meetings and Wiest, Most Excellent Grand High discussions. In April of 1782, Col. Priest; Arthur R. Diamond, Most ExLewis Nicola, one of Washington's cellent Grand King; James D . Smith, ablest officers, wrote a confidential Most Excellent Grand Scribe; Charles memorandum to the Commander in E. Tull, Most Excellent Grand TreasChief setting forth in logical form the urer; and John C. F. Kitselman, Most many advantages to be gained by Excellent Grand Secretary. forming a monarchy with Washington The Grand Chapter was honored as king. It echoed the sentiments of by visitors from the Grand Chapters the complete staff. of Rhode Island, New York, ConnectiWith the support of his officers and cut, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio, New m en, and with the prestige and respect Hampshire, North Carolina, Canada, he enjoyed everywhere, it would have District of Columbia, Delaware and been an easy matter for Washington West Virginia. In addition, the Proto accept a crown. Many persons bevincial Grand Master of the Royal lieved it was the only way to save the Order of Scotland, the presiding officountry. cers of the Grand Council of Royal But Washington possessed a deeper and Select Masters of Pennsylvania faith and a greater dedication to the and of the Grand Commandery of principles for which he and his counKnights Ternplar of Pennsylvania trymen had fought. His letter of reply The famou s pastel portrait from life were received. of Bro. George Washington by Bro. was direct and decisive. Although Bro. and Companion E arl F. Herold, William Williams, a Philadelphia artthere was a second attempt to influRight Worshipful Grand Master of ist. Portrait was made in 1794 at the ence him to change his decision a year request of Alexandria Lodge, No. 39, M asons in Pennsylvania, accompanied later-March, 1783- his original senA. Y. M., warranted b y the Grand by a large number of his officers, visitLodge of Pennsylvania in 1783, and timents prevailed . ed the Grand Chapter and delivered now Alexandria-Hamilton Lodge, No. In part, the letter to Nicola reads: an address . . 22, A. F . & A. M. of Virginia. "Be assured, sir, no occurrence in the course of the war has given me · more painful sensations than your inTHE PENNSYLVANIA FREEMASON Second Class Distribution Office POSTAGE formation of there being such ideas MASONIC HOMES PAID AT existing in the army . . . I am much Eli:rabethtown, Pa. 11022 Eli:rabethtown at a loss to conceive what part of my Pe nnsylvania I Send FORM 3579 to Above Address) conduct could have given encouragement to an address which to me seems big with the greatest mischiefs that can befall my country. If I am not deceived in the knowledge of myself, you could not have found a person to whom your schemes are more disagreeable ... If you have any regard for your country, concern for yourself or posterity, or respect for me, . . . banish these thoughts from your mind, and never communicate, as from yourself or any one else a sentiment of like nature." POSTMASTER: Please include Comple t e Name, Address and Identification No. on Return clipping.
AN OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL GRAND LODGE OF FREE AND ACCEPTED MASONS OF PENNSYLVANIA
VOLUME XIII
FEBRUARY
•
1966
NUMBER 1
R. W. Grand Master Bro. Robert E. Deyoe Installed Grand Master of Masons in Penna. Seeks Help of Craft Bro. Robert E. Deyoe, of Oil City, a retired florist and businessman, was installed as R. W. Grand Master of asons in Pennsylvania on December 7, 1965. The ancient installation ceremony was held at the Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of Free and ~ccepted Masons of Pennsylvania in asonic Temple, Philadelphia. Born in Oil City on February 5, !1.899, Bro. Deyoe is a Past Master and n'rustee of Petrolia Lodge No. 363, !Free and Accepted Masons, Oil City. He served as District Deputy Grand ~aster of the Twenty-third M asonic District from 1949 until 1959 when he ~as installed into the Grand Lodge line as Junior Grand Warden. In York Rite M asonry, he is a Past High Priest of the Oil City Royal Arch Chapter No. 236; P ast Thrice Illusrious Master of Keystone Council No. 42, Franklin; and Past Commander of f!:albot Comrnandery No. 43, Knights rfernplar, Oil City. For his work in the York Rite 1.?odies, Bro. Deyoe was elected into the Council of Anointed Kings of Pennsylvania, the Keystone Priory !No. 26, Knights of the York Cross of f!onour; and the United States Pre~ier Conclave, Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine. In Scottish Rite Masonry, Bro. D eyoe is a member of the Venango Lodge of Perfection, Oil City; and in he Valley of Coudersport, Princes of \f~rusalem, Rose Croix and Consistory. f!.e is P ast Most Wise Master of the Coudersport Chapter of Rose Croix. For his years of Masonic work, B ro. , eyoe was coroneted an Honorary jl'hirty-third Degree Scottish Rite Mason. He is also a member of Zern Zem f['emple, Erie, and an honorary mern-
Dear Brethren: I am most appreciative of the high honor you have, in your confidence, bestowed upon me, when on December 27, at high noon, I was installed as your Grand Master. Realizing my own limitations, I am humbled by the knowledge of the great responsibility I have assumed. I will do my best within the limits of my ability to give you an adrnil)istration of dignity, quality and substance. To that end I ask your help so that we together may continue this great institution in the manner in which it was handed down to us by those devoted Masons of the · past whose faith in the Great Architect of the Universe and responsibility to their Fraternity and to their fellow man have made Masonry in this Jurisdiction such a force for good.
I
Fraternally yours,
R. W. Grand Master
Bro. Robert E. Deyoe Right Worshipful Grand Master
ber of Syria T emple, Pittsburgh, and Lu Lu Temple, Philadelphia. He is a m ember of the Christ Episcopal Church, Oil City, where he has served as a Vestryman and ,S enior Warden. A World W ar I veteran, Bro. Deyoe is past president of Oil City Lions Club. The Deyoes, who have lived in Oil City all their lives, have a daughter, Mrs. James C. Cassidy, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, and two grandchildren.
Full Time Doctor Needed at Homes The Masonic Homes at Elizabethtown are in need of a full time doctor. M asonic affiliation is not required, but desirable. A new horne is available a short distance from the hospital. Doctors interested in further details should contact the Committee on Masonic Homes, in care of the Superintendent, M asonic Homes, Elizabethtown, P a. 17022.