History of Formation and progress of Orient Chapter No. 194 G.R.C. Moosomin, Saskatchewan, Canada Prior to the year A.D. 1913 various attempts had been made from time to time to have a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons instituted in Moosomin; none of these attempts however were carried to the length of an application for a dispensation being made. The chief difficulty appears to have been that there never was at any time prior to 1913 a sufficient membership in the Royal Craft resident in Moosomin to form the necessary nine in number required for a petition to Grand Chapter, and the formation of a Chapter is difficult of attainment under such circumstances. This reference to the former efforts of the brethren and the efforts particularly of Brother F.G. Lewin, now of Saskatoon and a present member of the Board of General Purposes in the Grand Lodge of Saskatchewan is here introduced to remind us of the fact that the actions taken in 1913 which culminated in the Creation of Orient Chapter No. 194 was not the first time it had been considered advisable to institute a Chapter in Moosomin. One of the finest testimonials to the high order of citizenship in this community is to be found in the fact that Masonry has ever flourished in our midst and the fraternity has just reason to be proud of the enviable record they have always maintained in Moosomin, and of the splendid record not only in Masonic achievement but in the uplifting influence in the Moral situation and temporal welfare of our Country which has been left to us as a heritage by the many eminent Masons and Citizens who have honoured our assemblages in the past. Realizing therefore that Moosomin, owing to its favourable Geographical situation relative to neighbouring Chapters was the logical centre for a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons in the jurisdiction, the nearest neighbouring Chapters being at Brandon on the East, Sintaluta on the West, Melville on the North and Arcola on the South and being fully assured from the solid foundation laid for the Masonic Structure within the Confines of this Jurisdiction that the superstructure would in future prove honourable to the builders and being conscious of an earnest desire arising out of the prevalent flourishing Condition of Masonry that a Royal Arch Chapter be formed and the Royal Arch Masons resident in Moosomin and Vicinity after careful consideration deemed that the time was ripe for the formation of a Chapter and after the matter of organization had been thoroughly discussed by Companions R.B. Hare, J.T. Johnston and C. Stuart, the following results were achieved. On September the eighth nineteen hundred and thirteen Comp. Chas. Stuart addressed a general letter to the Companions resident in Moosomin and Vicinity, setting forth the above facts as a sufficient warrant for the advisability of taking definite action in the Matter advising the estimated cost and giving a brief but concise analysis of the required procedure and suggesting an immediate reply stating whether or not the recipients considered it advisable to pledge their assistance in this movement. This letter elicited enthusiastic assurances of support and a meeting was therefore called and held in the office of Charles Stuart on September 30, 1913. 1 of 8
Those present at this meeting were Companions J.A. Kaeser, J.T. Johnston, R.B. Hare, R.T. MacLaren and C. Stuart. The other companions who had been notified, being unable to be present were Communicated with by telephone, and fully concurred in the business transacted by those who were present. It was decided at this meeting to apply for a dispensation to meet as a regularly constituted Chapter or Royal Arch Masons and to immediately take such steps as should be found necessary to found a Royal Arch Chapter in Moosomin. As it is one of the requirements of the Constitution that the application for a warrant contain the names of three Principals, selected to preside in the new Chapter, it was unanimously agreed at this meeting that such selection of Principal Officers be made forthwith and that the method employed be the usual Masonic procedure of Election by ballot which ballot being taken resulted as follows: Companion Charles Stuart elected First Prin Z Companion R.T. MacLaren elected Second Prin H Companion R.B. Hare elected Third Prin J Other preliminary details were arranged at this meeting including the authorization of arrangements with Moosomin Lodge No. A.F.&A.M. for the use of their Lodge Room for Chapter Convocations, all of which was satisfactorily attended to in due course and the new Chapter thereby assured of a splendid and comfortable Home. Shortly after this meeting a petition to the Grand Chapter of Canada for a dispensation was prepared and executed bearing the necessary number of signatures of Royal Arch Masons. The petition was returned by the Grand Scribe E George Bennett for amendment, the Signatures of Two of the Companions from foreign jurisdictions requiring accompanying certificates from Chapters under the Jurisdictions of Chapters in the United States. These details were promptly attended to and the petitions returned to the Grand Scribe E on December the second nineteen hundred and thirteen bearing the following signatures: Name Residence Chapter Occupation Charles Stuart Moosomin Golden Compass 170 Sintaluta, Sask Comp t Mang r Joseph T. Johnston Lawrence A. Franks Wapella John A Kaeser Moosomin R.B. Hare Highland No. 160 Highland Ill. USA Pentalpha No. 28 Oshawa Ont Farmer Merchant Farmer Salesman 2 of 8
R.T. MacLaren John Kidd Wapella James Montgomery Elkhorn Daniel J Scott Rocanville E d C Gross Moosomin J no P Cowles Pheonicia No. 17 Bottineau N.D USA Golden Compass No 170 Sintaluta Sask. Keystone No 141 Brandon Man Wascana No 121 Regina Sask Wascana No 121 Regina Sask McCallum No 29 Dunville Ont. Physician Merchant Roadmaster C.P.R. Pres Minister Clergyman Teacher On December 17 th 1913 the Grand Scribe E advised by letter to Comp. Stuart that the ME The Grand Z His Honour Judge D.F. McWatt had that day issued a dispensation to the petitioning Companions to meet as a Chapter of Royal arch Masons in Moosomin to be known as Orient Chapter, the date of regular convocations to be the Second Friday following the full Moon in Each Month. The work that had been accomplished thus far needless to say entailed the expenditure of considerable time and labor, but the petitioning Companions one and all are to be highly for their zeal and enthusiasm in assisting to get the New Chapter successfully underway. In this matter the Chapter owes a deep debt of gratitude to R.E. Comp Dr. A.S. Gorrell at that time Grand Third Principal in the Grand Chapter of Canada and R.E. Comp Dr. John M. Shaw P.G. Spt. both of Regina for the generous advice and kindly assistance they afforded during the formation of this Chapter. The necessary supplies including spendid and Complete equipment of Regalia were ordered in December 1913 and the date of institution for the Chapter set for January 30 th 1914. The institution ceremony which was called for the hour of 3.30 on the afternoon of Jan. 30 th 1914 was attended by the following Companions: NAME RESIDENCE RANK CHAPTER NO R.E Comp AS. Gorell Regina Grand 3 rd Prin Wascana 121 R.D. Morton Sintaluta Sup t Golden Compass 170 J.M. Shaw Regina P.G Wascana 121 Ex D. Railton Sintaluta P. Z Golden Compass 170 T.S. McLeod P.Z Comp H. Dawson Regina R.A.M. Wascana 121 E F.B. Reilly 3 rd Prin J 121 W.E. Stevenson R.A.M. 121 3 of 8
E C. Gross Moosomin R.A.M. 121 A.L. McClatchie Regina R.A.M. Quebec 3 C.W. Wroth Welwyn R.A.M. England 63 C Stuart Moosomin R.A.M. Golden Compass 170 D. Soldaw Welwyn R.A.M. 170 T.J. Johnston Moosomin R.A.M. 170 J no Kidd Wapella R.A.M. 170 R. B. Hare Moosomin R.A.M. Pentalpha 28 J.P. Cowles R.A.M. McCallum 29 R.T. MacLaren R.A.M. Phoenicia 17 Following the opening of Chapter by the Grand Chapter representatives the dispensation was read by R.E. Comp Shaw and the institution ceremony was ably conducted in the prescribed form by the Grand Supt R.E. Comp Morton following which the Principal officers were installed Ex. Companion Charles Stuart 1 st Prin Z R.T. MacLaren 2 nd H R.B. Hare 3 rd J The advent of Orient Chapter was hailed with every mark of approval by the members of the Craft, Applications from Twenty nine of whom were received by the officers and companions of the new Chapter at this their first Convocation. The Chapter was called from labor to refreshment at 4.10 p.m. and on resuming labor at 7.30 in the Evening Twenty four of these applicants being in attendance received the three Capitular degrees. The Officers who presided during the Evening Convocation were as follows: M.M.M. M.E.M. R.A.M. W.M. Comp. McLeod W.M. Comp Railton Ex C Railton Z S.W. Gorrell S.W. Gorrell McLeod H J W Reilly J W Reilly Reilly J Sec Cowles Sec Cowles R.E. Shaw S.E M.O. Stuart SD Morton E Stuart S N S O. Railton JD Johnston R.E Morton P.S J.O. Hare IG. McClatchie RE Gorell S.S. S D Morton Tyler Kidd Ex McClatchie J S J D Johnston IG McClatchie Dawson M of Veils 4 of 8
Tyler Kidd Following the conferring of the Capitular degrees by the officers who presided as above recorded, the remaining portion of the ceremony of installation and investiture was completed by the Grand Sup t R.E. Comp. R.D. Morton and the Chapter was then closed in prescribed form by the new officers. The following Companions were the first officers entrusted with the government of Orient Chapter No. 194 G.R.C.: Ex. Comp C. Stuart Z Comp E.R. Wylie Treas R.T. MacLaren H J.P. Cowles P.S. R.B. Hare J J. T. Johnston S.S E.G.D. McEachern S.E. D.M. Tubman J.S. W.B. McLean S.N. T. Marshall Janitor W.B. McLean M of V The above record contains a summary of the principal events which are of historic interest in connection with the formation of Orient Chapter. The Continuation of the History following the date of institution will reveal the splendid progress made in membership and finance and will prove that the confidence of its founders was well placed. The Companions feel justly proud of the fact that they were only required to work under dispensation for a period of twenty five days for at the 56 Annual Convocation of the Grand Chapter of Canada held in the City of Toronto on Feb 25 th 1914 the Charter for Orient Chapter was issued and numbered 194 on the Register of the Grand Chapter of Canada. 5 of 8
Important Dates in the History of Orient Chapter September 30, 1913: Petition for a Dispensation to Meet as a Chapter in Moosomin December 17, 1913: Dispensation Granted January 30, 1914: Chapter Instituted February 25, 1914: Charter Granted to Orient Chapter #194 GRC June 29, 1923: New Charter Issued under GRS: Orient Chapter #13 1938-1939: Chapter meets only once a year 1940-1942: Chapter alternates between Moosomin, Wapella, and Whitewood. January 5, 1943: Chapter begins meeting regularly at Whitewood September 22, 1964: Celebration of 50 th Anniversary January 26, 1978: Chapter returns to Moosomin April 27, 1989: Celebration of 75 th Anniversary. Some of the History of the Chapter After its Institution After its formation the Chapter met frequently: 13 times in 1914 and 16 in 1915, with an average of 9 in each of the next four years. The fledgling Chapter was aided greatly by the Companions of Golden Compass 170 in Sintaluta. Orient s Bylaws were completed in 1915. During the 1920s the Chapter was very active. It was a practice for the Chapter to hold two meetings on the same night in order to confer degrees. For example, on Friday, July 22, 1921, the Chapter met between 8:00 and 9:21 p.m. to confer the MMM and MEM degrees, and then again between 10:10 and 11:50 p.m. for the regular meeting of the Chapter. A major issue in the 1920s was the question of whether the Chapters in Saskatchewan ought to split away from the Grand Chapter of Canada. The Companions were dead set against the idea. On January 20 th 1922 the minutes read Moved, Seconded, and Carried that this Chapter appoint Companion S.B. Graham to be delegate to the Annual Convocation, and to instruct him to oppose the formation of a new Grand Chapter. At the next month s meeting, February 17 th 1922, it was noted that the quoted resolution was unconstitutional, and a further resolution was made that S.E. reply to all communications relative to the formation of a Grand Chapter, and that we make a motion objecting to the formation of a new Grand Chapter. The following meeting saw the desperate motion that we do not answer letters about the question of the new Grand 6 of 8
Chapter. These sentiments were reiterated in the meetings on January 5 th 1923 and April 6 th 1923, but were of no avail as the Grand Chapter of Saskatchewan was formed anyway and Orient perforce became a member of it, accepting the new number 13. The effects of the stock market crash in 1929 were quickly felt everywhere. On December 12, 1930 the minutes show It was moved... that all companions 12 months in arrears be notified and asked to show cause why they should not be suspended. Throughout the 1930s there were between 4 and 5 meetings a year, with some petitions being received, but continuing economic problems among the Companions. In the only meeting the Chapter held in 1938, on October 3 rd, the minutes record The matter of arrears was discussed at some length, and it was decided to deal with each case on its own merits as to taking a rebate off for settlement, and as testimony that fraternal and social feeling was still alive, Chapter was called off at 10:45 pm and lunch was served at Endicott's. The year 1939 also saw only one meeting, on October 2 nd. The Chapter did not celebrate its twenty-fifth anniversary: there was very little to celebrate. In 1940 the Chapter held three meetings, but did not feel that it could carry on meeting at Moosomin exclusively. The Chapter began to travel from place to place as follows: November 4 th, 1940: Moosomin December 2 nd, 1940: Wapella April 7 th, 1941: Whitewood May 5 th, 1941: Moosomin October 6 th, 1942: Wapella November 3 rd, 1942: Sintaluta December 1 st, 1942: Whitewood In 1943, the Chapter formally changed its place of meeting from Moosomin to Whitewood, commencing with the meeting of January 5 th, 1943. This arrangement lasted 35 years, until January 6 th 1978. An extract from the minutes on November 3 rd, 1941 (it is unclear where this meeting took place) says that one Companion addressed the meeting on ways and means to stimulate activity in the Chapter, and how to secure new members and get the present members more interested. Whatever methods they adopted, the Chapter did grow slowly over the decade, the initiations outweighing the demits, although the Chapter continued to struggle with poor attendance. The Scribe E during this period was R.E. Comp J.A. Wilson who served in that office from July 27 th 1945 to February of 1961, a period of some 16 years. An example of the kind of encomium which Comp. Wilson left in the minutes is the following entry on August 26 th 1947, on the death of one of the Companions: Death has invaded our ranks and there is a vacant place in our meeting tonight. For many years he was constant in his attendance and no one but God knows how deeply interested he was, not only in this 7 of 8
Chapter, but also in the affairs of the community... he served us faithfully and well and it is but the simple truth to say that this Chapter is the poorer for his loss. The Districts in the Grand Chapter were reorganized in the 1950s with Orient going to District 6 from 1953 to 1958, and thereafter returning to District 1. Although Chapter membership remained high during the 1950s and 1960s, the number who actually participated in the meetings and activities of the Chapter dwindled. In 1963, 15 members were suspended NPD. On February 17 th 1964, the Companions at Orient needed the aid of the Companions of Golden Compass #6 to confer the MMM and MEM degrees. Nevertheless, the 50 th anniversary of the Chapter was marked by a dinner on September 22, 1964 under the Chairmanship of R. E. Comp. John Larry. Comp. Larry became a Royal Arch Mason on June 10, 1943, was First Principal in 1950, and District Superintendant in 1954. At the 75 th anniversary of the Chapter he was honoured as the oldest member of the Chapter. He died October 23 rd 1993. In the 1970s the Chapter started to consider moving back from Whitewood to Moosomin. This possibility was first addressed in 1971, but action was not taken until 1978. On December 23 rd 1976 the Grand Z ME Comp Bruce Sanders presented the Chapter with the electric lights for the Chapter, which are still in use. Since the 1970s the Chapter has been served by four long-serving and long-suffering Scribe Es in the persons of E Comp Cedric Hilts 1978-1983, VE Comp Les E. Hill 1983-1986, E Comp Stan Ranson 1987-1999, and E Comp John Zondervan who assumed the position after Comp Ranson died in 1999 in his 25 th year as a R.A.M. Another great light in the working of the Chapter was RE Comp Jack Sangster who received the Bronze Medal for Meritorious Service to Royal Arch Masons in June of 1987. Companion Sangster died in 2001 after 36 years of service to the Chapter. The 75 th anniversary of the Chapter was celebrated on April 27 th 1989. The same year the Chapter exchanged visits with Estevan Chapter. In the past 25 years of Chapter history the membership has dropped from 57 to 12 as the well of initiates dried up. Only 8 initiations are recorded in that period, as against 36 deaths and 23 demits. The Chapter has met an average of 7 times a year over that period, but the number of meetings per year has declined. The Chapter s By-laws have been revised to reflect the growing cost of running the Chapter, and the need for fewer meetings, as well as the organizational changes involved in having only a very small number of members. The Chapter has wholeheartedly supported Grand Chapter s charitable initiatives with regard to the RARA and Prostate Cancer Research. 8 of 8