Information Sheet

 

 

R         Freemasons.  Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite.  Orient of

748      Missouri.  Valley of Joplin.

            Papers, 1906-1914.

                                    One folder.

 

 

 

This collection consists of booklets for the Autumn Convocation in 1906, the Spring Convo­cation in 1907, the Fall Con­vocation in 1908, and a program for the “Scottish Rite Banquet” in 1914 for the “Scottish Rite” Masonic bodies at Joplin in Jasper County, Missouri.

 

Scottish Rite Masonry is an optional path of Masonic advancement for Master Masons and consists of degrees numbered 4 through 33.  The Scottish Rite, Valley of Joplin, was instituted on 18 June 1901.  During this period it consisted of four bodies, from lower degrees to the highest: Joplin Lodge of Perfection No. 5 (4° to 14°); Joplin Chapter No. 3, Knights Rose Croix (15° to 18°); Joplin Council No. 3, Knights Kadosh (19° to 30°); and Joplin Consistory No. 3 M.R.S. (31° and 32°).  The Valley’s secretary and registrar was Thornton Lee Brown.  In 1906 the Valley of Joplin had approximately 350 members in good standing.

 

A 72-page booklet was published for the “Autumn Convocation” held on 16-19 October 1906.  During this convocation degrees were conferred in all four bodies, with each body occupy­ing one of the four days.  At that time William Latour was Venerable Master of the Lodge of Per­fection, William Cooper Glenn was Wise Master of Rose Croix, Elroy Jefferson Pratt was Com­mander of the Knights Kadosh, and Paul N. Davey served as Master of the Kadosh of Consistory M.R.S.  The convocation was highlighted by a visit from James D. Richardson, 33°, Sovereign Grand Commander of the Supreme Council, and a final-night banquet at the Keystone Hotel.  In­cluded in the booklet are a historical review of Scottish Rite Masonry, a schedule of events, scenes and casts for the allegorical presentations, a complete list of the membership, and a memorial page for deceased members.

 

A similar, 64-page booklet was published for the “Regular Spring Convocation” held on 12-15 March 1907.  The booklet was dedicated to Martin Collins, who was Grand Chancellor of the Supreme Council and Sovereign Grand Inspector General in Missouri.  Included are an essay on Scottish Rite freemasonry entitled “A Progressive Science;” a Secretary’s Bulletin announcing fees, dues, and meeting dates; an every-name roster of members, and a listing “In Memoriam” of recently-deceased members.  Thomas Herron was Venerable Master of the Lodge of Perfection, William Cooper Glenn was Wise Master of Rose Croix, Elroy Jefferson Pratt was Commander of the Knights Kadosh, and Paul N. Davey was Master of the Kadosh of Consistory M.R.S.  A ban­quet at the Scottish Rite Cathedral closed out the ceremonies.

 

The booklet published for the “Fall Convocation” held on 17-20 November 1908 at the “Scottish Rite Cathedral” was for an event similar to that described in the booklet for 1906.  How­ever, this account is much briefer and the booklet contains only eight pages.  In 1908 Thomas Herron was Venerable Master of the Lodge of Perfection, William Cooper Glenn was Wise Mas­ter of Rose Croix, Aaron Haughton was Commander of the Knights Kadosh, and Paul N. Davey served as Master of the Kadosh of Consistory M.R.S.  Only members who held offices in the four bodies are listed by name in this booklet.

 

The banquet program is for a dinner held on Thursday evening, 26 November 1914, at Joplin's leading hostelry, the Connor Hotel.  After a dinner of “broiled one half milk fed chicken,” Toastmaster William Cooper Glenn introduced the following speakers: Alphonso Chase Stewart, the Rev. William Franklin Jones, Robert Abraham Pearson, and the Rev. Charles Albert Weed.  At that time Charles Herman Arcularius was Venerable Master of the Lodge of Perfection, Langstone Lafayette Moore was Acting Wise Master of Rose Croix, Winfred Dwight Richardson was Com­mander of the Knights Kadosh, and Fletcher Taylor Snapp served as Master of the Kadosh of Consistory M.R.S.

 

 

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