Meridian Chapter U.D., Royal Arch Masons of Oregon

Yesterday was an important date in the ongoing process of starting Meridian Chapter.

Reames Chapter #28 opened under Special Dispensation here in Roseburg, for the purpose of examining our meeting place as to its suitability and examining our proposed officers as to their proficiency in Opening and Closing the Royal Arch Degree and conferring the degrees in full.

In attendance were:

R.E.Comp. Robert Hamilton, District Deputy to the Grand High Priest for District #3 of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Oregon.
E.Comp. Richard Surroz, Grand Principal Sojourner of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons of Oregon.
E.Comp. Bob Brickey, High Priest of Reames #28.
Comp. Jeff Day, King of Reames #28.
Comp. John Moore, Captain of the Host of Reames #28.
Comp. Lawrence Stokes, member of Reames #28 and proposed Excellent High Priest for Meridian Chapter.
E.Comp. David Jones, member of Eugene Chapter #18 and Reames Chapter #28, and proposed King for Meridian Chapter.
Comp. Russ Howard, member of Reames #28, and proposed Scribe for Meridian Chapter.
Comp. Tim Randall, Worshipful Master of Laurel Lodge #13 in Roseburg, member of Reames #28 and signer on the petition for dispensation for Meridian Chapter.

The officers were privileged on this occasion to use the original Aprons which had once belonged to Laurel Chapter #31 located in Roseburg until it merged with Reames #28 in the early 1990's. These aprons are very old and worn, but in workable shape and all the tassels on the apron strings seem to be intact.

After Reames opened the Chapter, it was put at ease, and the proposed officers of Meridian Chapter took their places to demonstrate their proficiency. They proceeded to exemplify the opening of a chapter. The room was then set up for the Mark Degree, the conferral of which was then demonstrated, omitting the lecture and charge for the sake of brevity. Closing of the Mark and of the Royal Arch were then demonstrated.

The officers of Reames Chapter deemed this demonstration to be sufficient evidence of the capability of the proposed officers to perform the work, resumed their stations, and closed the Chapter.

Those who came up from Grants Pass departed owing to the late hour, and the rest of us adjourned to the home of Companion Stokes for some fresh blackberry cobbler and discussion.