General Information
Date and Time of Regular Assembly: Third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 P.M. Dinner generally precedes convocation at 6:00 P.M.
Illustrious Master: Ill. Richard G Bernheart
Deputy Master: Comp. Robert D MacNeil
Principal Conductor of the Work: Comp. Timothy A Maxwell
Treasurer: V.I. William E. Eltzroth
Recorder: Comp. Edward J. Newton Jr.
What is a Select Master?
Within the York Rite, members of Cryptic Masonry meet as a Council, and the Council confers three degrees: Royal Master, Select Master, and Super Excellent Master. Cryptic Masonry is part of the York Rite system of Masonic degrees, and the last found within the Rite that deals specifically with the Hiramic Legend. These degrees are the gateway to Temple restoration rituals or the Second Temple Legend. The body itself is known as either the Council of Royal & Select Masters or Council of Cryptic Masons depending on the jurisdiction. Candidates for Council of Royal & Select Masters are required to have been a Royal Arch Mason. This is your second step in the York Rite degrees.
The Milford Council of Royal & Select Masters was formed in 1902. We met in the Milford Masonic building located at 155 Main Street in Milford MA 01757. Our meetings are on the third Tuesday of the month, with dinner at 6:00 and the meeting starting at 7:00
The degrees of Royal and Select Master were not originally combined into one system, each having been conferred by separate parties and initially controlled by separate Councils. As near as may be determined from conflicting claims, the Select degree is the oldest of the Rite. It was customary to confer the Royal degree on Master Masons prior to the Royal Arch, and the Select degree after exaltation to the sublime degree. The degree of Super Excellent Master is not allied to the other two degrees of the Cryptic Rite, so far as its teachings and traditions are concerned. The incidents, teachings, and ritualistic format of the Super Excellent degree bear no resemblance in any former degrees so named, which appears to justify the claim that it is American in origin. This degree has been, and to some extent still is, a rather controversial subject. It is conferred as one of the regular Cryptic Rite degrees in some jurisdictions, whereas the others confer it as an honorary degree only; in some instances, separate Grand Councils of Super Excellent Masters have been formed.
Source: Wikipedia
About Milford Council of Royal and Select Masters
On November 24, 1902 a dispensation was given to Frederick A. Gould and 14 Companions to form a Council in Milford MA. The Letter was addressed to Levi W. Moore of Milford.
A preliminary meeting was held on March 2, 1902 in Milford Masonic Hall to discuss a proposal to form a Council in Milford.
The following were present:
NAME LODGE RAISED
*Frederick A. Gould Montgomery 11/21/1893
*Edwin J. Wescott Montgomery 11/21/1893
*Samuel Sharps Montgomery 11/18/1895
Arthur W. Vant Montgomery 04/17/1890
Stephen B. Fiske Montgomery not available
Artimus B. Edmands Montgomery not available
George S. Whitney Montgomery 04/14/1870
Agustus W. Wescott Montgomery 02/02/1891
Charles M. Wood Montgomery 4/19/1866
*Levi W. Moore not available not available
*John Reid not available not available
* All joined Hiram Council 12/9/1897 along with C F Butterworth. Hiram Council at that time had almost 1000 members!
Companion Artimus B. Edmands was elected chairman and Comp. Frederick A. Gould as Secretary.
The following were selected to be the first three officers:
Artimus B. Edmands as Thrice Illustrious Master, George S. Whitney as Deputy Master, and Levi W. Moore as Principal Conductor of the Work.
The Petition
To the Most Illustrious Master of the Grand Council of Massachusetts.
The undersigned being Royal, Select, and Super Excellent Masters, having the prosperity of the Fraternity at heart, and being willing to exert their best endeavors to promote and diffuse the genuine principals of the Cryptic Masonry, respectfully represent that they are desirous of forming a new Council in the town of Milford and Commonwealth of Massachusetts to be named
Milford Council
They therefore pray for a dispensation to empower them to assemble as a legal Council, conforming to the Regulations of the Grand Council
They have nominated and do recommend Companion Artimus B. Edmands to be the first Thrice Illustrious Master, Companion George S. Whitney to be the first Deputy Master, and Companion Levi W. Moore to be the first Principal Conductor of the Work of said Council. If the prayer of the petitioners shall be granted they promise strict obedience to the Constitution, Laws, and Regulations of the Grand Council.
In addition to the above names mentioned as present were added the names:
- M. Burgess, C. W. Wilcox, C. Fred Butterworth, and R. C. Eldridge.
The petition went on to say:
The above petition was endorsed by Hiram Council of Royal and Select Masters of Worcester Mass. Granting permission to the above companions to petition the Grand Council.
The petition was dated March 12, 1902 and signed Frederick A. Gould Secretary along with fifteen others.
The answer to the petition from Grand Council is dated November 24, 1902 and the letter head showing that the Grand Council office was at 17 Milk Street, Boston, but stamped from Masonic Temple, room 209, Boston, Mass. However, the records of Milford Council state the petition was delivered from Brockton, Mass. and dated November 20, 1902.
The dispensation as of course granted by the then Illustrious Grand Master, Baalis Sanford to the fifteen petitioners. Stated in the dispensation is the appointment b y the Ill. Grand Master of the three Companions recommended to server as Thrice Ill. Master, Deputy Master, and P.C.W.
The dispensation, dated 11/20/02 was only good until the “next annual assembly of Grand Council to be held on the second Wednesday of December, 1902 and no longer.”
“Provided, nevertheless, that the officers and members of the said council pay due respect to our Grand Council and to the Constitution and Edicts thereof” It carries the seal of Grand Council, the signature of M.I. Baalis Sanford and that of J. Gilman Waite, Grand Recorder.
The petition was read at a second meeting held in Masonic Hall, Milford on December 3, 1902, attended by nine of the original petitioners. Under the chairmanship of Companion Edmands, they voted to accept the dispensation.
On the same night, apparently following the meeting of the petitioners and acceptance of the dispensation, the first meeting of Milford Council was held. Th. Ill. Master Artimas B. Edmands declared the meeting open without form.
The following appointments were made:
Augustus W. Wescott Treasurer
Frederick A. Gould Recorder
Asahel F. Snow Capt. Of the Guard
Charles M. Wood. Cond. Of the Council
Stephen B. Fiske Master of Ceremonies
Arthur W. Vant Steward
Edwin J. Wescott Sentinel
They Voted for a committee to draft By-Laws
Voted that the regular meetings be on the Second Tuesday.
Voted that the first three officers be authorized to procure such paraphernalia as may be required for the Council
Voted that the all the necessary printing and stationary be procured by the recorder.
Voted the fees for the degrees be $25
Voted that the fees for membership be $5
Voted that the dues be $1.00
Voted to approve committee for Finance and a committee to petition Montgomery Lodge for the use of the Lodge Hall and adjoining apartments.
Petitions were then read from: BORN OCCUPATION
- Charles Sherman Howard 11/04/1870 Shipper
- Aaron Hero Mayhew 05/19/1867 Clerk
- George Edward Stacey 05/07/1834 Printer & Stationer
- George Frederick Birch 04/01/1848 Provision Dealer
- George William Ellis 09/02/1863 Hardware Dealer
- Samuel Alden Eastman 10/14/1847 Box Manufacturer
All the petitioners were of course local, that is from Milford, Hopedale, and Upton. All were members of Montgomery Lodge and Mt. Lebanon Chapter.
Assembly was closed with the note that The Royal Master Degree would be at the next meeting on January 13th.
The next entry in the records notes the following:
“As our dispensation was good only until the Annual Assembly of our Grand Council, the second Wednesday of December, 1902, and was not brought before the Grand Council at that time, we were obliged to petition for a new dispensation and to start anew as if our previous petition had never been.
However:
From the Grand Council records of 1902 we find almost a full page relating to the petition from Milford. The Ill. Grand Master received the petition on May 7, 1902. “A few days thereafter, in the company with the Grand Lecturer, I visited Milford and was pleased to meet with several of the Companions who were interested in this movement…”.
He goes on to say “ I found a strong Masonic sprit existing in the town, evidence of which is shown in the large membership of the several Masonic Bodies located there: Montgomery has a membership of nearly 300, Mt. Lebanon has 302 members and Milford Commandery, K.T. 228”
He further praised the apartments and equipment found in Milford. It is noted that after careful consideration a dispensation was granted, “believing that no mistake would be made. ‘As the Dispensation expires by limitation to-day, you will be asked to extend it another term.” Only the M.I.G.M. could give the dispensation not by a vote. I can only assume that because a new Illustrious Grand Master was elected the extension was overlooked.
A second petition was prepared which duplicated the first and bore pretty much the same signatures as the first with only a couple different.
It was dated January 1, 1903, New Years Day, in Milford.
Companions John Reid and Samuel Sharp have moved out of this jurisdiction.
“Companions Chas. M. Wood and Asahel F. Snow would have gladly signed the following petition but they were out of town and we were unable to see them in time. They live in Upton and Hopkinton respectively.”
It was noted that it was not necessary to obtain consent from Hiram Council again.
A second dispensation was received from Grand Council dated Boston, January 9, 1903 again granting dispensation to the petitioners to form Milford Council and appointing the same top three officers. This dispensation was granted by a new Ill. Grand Master, Forest R. Barker, from Worcester, who was elected in December. This new dispensation would be good until December 1903, thus giving Milford Council a full year to work.
As scheduled, on January 13, 1903 Milford Council held a regular Assembly, the first under the present dispensation. The meeting was a duplicate of that held in December, including the reading of the six petitions.
However, before closing, it was appointed that a Special Assembly would be held on January 27th to receive petitions ands hold a rehearsal.
On the appointed day, January 27, 1903, a Special Assembly was held with all officers present.
One additional petition was read that evening.
The second meeting was run as usual with committees making reports and bills paid etc.
Note that the finance committee reported that “they had made suitable arrangements to secure money for the Council should it be needed. The Council to return the same when able.”
Arrangements had been made with Montgomery Lodge for $50 annual rent plus heat and light.
The first degree work was then done on six of the seven candidates. I would note that the records show that all seven were elected.
In March the Royal Degree was worked on the missing candidate from Feb. and an additional petition was read from Arthur Coffin Hussey, occupation, tin smith.
In April a petition was read from a Milford dentist and the Select degree was worked on seven candidates.
I would note that at each meeting so far, the By-Laws committee had been given an extension to complete their work.
In May two more petitions for the degrees were read and the select degree was worked on six candidates. A Special Assembly was scheduled for May 26th for the Royal Degree.
In June they voted to accept the report of the By-Laws committee and also worked the Select Master Degree.
Nothing extraordinary took place the balance of the year. Each meeting included a reading of a petition for the degrees and some degree work was done, although in October of 1903, ten petitions were read, including one from a member of Mt. Hollis Lodge and 8 additional petitions in November.
A second Special Assembly was held on November 24th. On this evening the Ill. Grand Master, Forest E. Barker, made an official visit to Milford Council. After examining the dispensation, By-Laws (proposed) and records he returned the East to the Ill. Master with the request to see some work.
The Officers of Milford Council then conferred all three Council Degrees on three candidates,
Companions Clifford Aston Cook, William Franklin Draper and Clare Mill Draper. The Drapers being brothers from Hopedale and of the Draper Labs family. Twelve other candidates were then received and acknowledged as Super Excellent Masters.
Among those present that night were members from Fall River Council, Boston Council, Dunlap Council, Lewiston Maine, Derby and Union Councils Ansonia Conn., Medford Council, Mystic Council New York City, and five from Hiram Council.
On December 8, 1903all three degrees were again worked on seven candidates, and the council was not opened until 7:30 P.M. I would also note that we were averaging a dozen members on the sidelines these fall months.
At the December meeting it was also voted to approve and present a petition for a Charter to Grand Council which was to meet on the next day, the 9th of December. The petition was signed by 44 members.
In the Proceedings of Grand Council for 1903 the Grand Recorder notes that the dispensation granted to Milford had been returned along with their records and accompanied by a request for a Charter. On motion, “It was voted:
The Dispensation to Milford Council, U.D., be continued in force and that the petition for a Charter be referred to The Most Illustrious Grand Master with authority to grant the prayer of the petitioners and constitute the Council whenever in his judgment the Companions shall have become proficient in the work and are fully prepared and equipped to perform it”
The Grand Proceedings also note a petition to form a Council in Marlborough.
On October 25, 1904 the Most Ill. Grand Master again visited Milford Chapter for an Official Visit. It was noted that the M.I. Grand Master was satisfied with the work.
In 1904, Milford Council is once again discussed at the Annual Meeting of Grand Council in December. The Illustrious Grand Master reported “….I am pleased to report to you that a high standard of work has been attained and that Milford Council is out of debt and well equipped to do whatever our regulations may require. I have notified the Companions holding the dispensation that a charter will be issued….”
In January we find reference to a committee of arrangements for the Constitution of Milford Council. Most Ill. Companion Forrest E. Barker returned again on February 14, 1905 for the purpose of Constituting Milford Council. He was accompanied by the entire Grand Line.
This was Milford Council’s 22nd regular meeting and over two years had passed since the first meeting to form a council was held.
The M.I. Grand Master presented Milford Council with their Charter at this time, and proceeded to install its Officers. “About a one hundred and twenty five Companions were present, several Councils being represented and many Companions from Hiram Council which is our Mother Council were among the number.”
“The Weber Quartet furnished music for the evening.”
“The Grand Officers were met at South Framingham by a special Electric Car and were taken to supper by the Officers and Committee before commencing the work of the evening.”
“With the close of the meeting all the Companions partook of an excellent Banquet in the Banquet Hall.
At the following March meeting we can find bills totaling $222.15, among which we find:
$30 to Grand Council for Charter
$29.80 to the Weber Quartet
$19.05 to the M&U Street Railway for Special Cars.
$75.00 to W.S. Marden for the banquet
$10.00 to S.E. Hapgood for hacks
$10.50 to Levi W. Moore for cigars. Cigars were present at the reading of bills at many of the meetings.
You may have noted that there was no mention anywhere of any ladies being present.
By the time of their 100th meeting in October of 1912 there were recorded 69 members in Milford Council.
Artimus B. Edmands remained Thrice Ill. Master until. November 1906.
Frederick A. Gould remained Recorder through the end of 1919.