Scottish Rite Masons - Yearbook (Chicago, IL)

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be given if application is made to any of the ollicers, members of the Fraternal Courtesy Committee, who wear badges of that Com- mittee, or any of the members. It is most important that all members arrange for having their photographs taken as early in the Work as possible. These photos are necessary for use on Passports, and none will be issued without the photo. Do not neglect this. These photos are made at the expense of the Consistory and no member of the class need incur any expense in this matter. Registrars of the Class, at the desk, are Ill-'.Brother Rudolph H. Hanke, 33', and Ill-'-Brother Eugene T. Skinkle, 33', and to them you will report every time you enter the preparation room to receive additional degrees. The Master of Ceremonies in whose charge you will he during the ceremonies of the conferring of the Ineffable Degrees, in this Lodge of Perfection, is Ill.'.Brother Louis Woelfersheim, 33 , and his Assistant Master of Ceremonies is Brother Edward F. Brown, 329. The Deacons of the Lodge of Perfection, who will be present to render such other service as they may be assigned to do, as well as to give you such lawful information as you may request, are Brothers Henry L. Fernbach, 33', and George T. Steb- bings, 32'. The names of the other ollicers of the other bodies will become known to you as the Work advances. Expressing to each of you the earnest hope that your coming among us may result in mutual pleasure and profitg pleasure in the new association that will be given each of us to enjoy, and profit in the lessons conveyed by the rendition and portrayal of our ritual, in the individual and collective striving toward higher and better things, I am, with heartiest greetings of welcome and fra- temal fellowship ' Very sincerely yours, OLIVER J. GRAHAM, 33' Thrice Potent Master, Van Rensselaer Lodge of Perfection.

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independent of all of the others, and has its own regular meetings and its own corps of officers. But for economic reasons, and because the members of one body are also largely the members of. all of the others, we have entered into a concordat with each other, hold all of our property in common, and are incorporated under the laws of Illinois as Oriental Consistory and Co-ordinate Bodies of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite. Beside the four local bodies named above, there is a Supreme Council of the Thirty-third and last degree, to which all of the local bodies bear allegiance. The members of the Supreme Council constitute a self-perpetuating Oligarchy, and election to receive this degree is initiated in the Supreme Council and cannot be secured by petition. A more complete explanation of this subject will be given you at the proper time. It has always been the custom for the members of Classes receiving the degrees in the Scottish Rite bodies to effect organiza- tion of themselves. It is customary to elect a President, Vice- President, Secretary, Treasurer and Orator. You are invited to do this, after a sufficient time has elapsed for you to get acquainted with each other. Many such class organizations have been maintained for many years, and some of them hold annual meetings and other celebra- tions. During the conferring of the degrees, and especially after the conferring of the Thirty-second Degree, it is customary for the presiding oliicers to call upon the President and Orator of the class for addresses. During the progress of the Work it is hoped that the members of the class will make themselves at home. So far as is con- sistent with proper decorum the class will not be under any restraint that will be irksome. Should any of the members become ill, or indisposed, there are always one or more of our Medical Stall present to render aid. Any proper information desired by any candidate will always

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ILLLOLIVER J. GRAHAM. 330 Tnmcm POTENT MASTER VAN RENSSELAER LODGE 011' PERFECTION