Grand Chapter of Illinois, 7/28, 29 &30

On Thursday, 7.28, Julia and I headed for Springfield Illinois and the Grand Chapter of Illinois.   The meeting was held downtown at the Hilton Hotel.   This was a 504 mile drive during which we saw more corn and soy beans than I think I had ever seen. 

Thursday was only a travel day with Grand Chapter starting at 8:00 A.M. on Friday.   Registration started at 7:00 A.M. with guests being introduced at approximately 8:30 P.M.  It is always a learning experience to attend an out of state Grand Chapter and see the differences from home.  

• The first difference was introductions.   Guests were already seated in the room rather than escorted in after the opening
• Delegates do not wear aprons in a tiled Chapter.   Only the Grand Officers and guests were wearing aprons.
• Officers were elected from the Grand High Priest through the Royal Arch Captain unlike in Ohio where we elected the Veils.   Nominations for the Royal Arch Captain were taken from the floor.
• This Grand Chapter has about 5,200 members.

After the election of officers the next largest order of business was presentation of awards.  Like most Grand Chapters, the best secretary, the best Chapter and other such awards were given.   Since this Grand Chapter belongs to General Grand Chapter,  a Gold Star Award was given out.

The Grand Chapter session was closed at approximately 11:30 A.M.

A lunch of chicken salad sandwich and apple pie was served.  

The ladies had a brunch with a guest that should have been anticipated.   President Abraham Lincoln attended the lunch and spoke.

The Anointed High Priest degree was conferred Friday afternoon.   It was nice but still does not approached what we do here in Ohio.

The evenings banquet was at 6:00 P.M.    There was a theme for those wanting to dress in the fashion of the "Roaring 20s".   Where some of the Companions and Ladies got the suits and dress they were wearing is beyond me.   Some of the men were in costume complete with spats while some of the flapper dress were really unique.  Dinner was something I had never had at a banquet.   We where served chicken fried steak.  It was a good meal.

After dinner there was a live auction to raise money for the York Rite Charities.  The auctioneer was the Grand Master and he had a great time.   The only thing I can say for sure was that if you were a Grand Lodge officer, you were going to buy something.   At one time the Grand Master could not get the bid he wanted so he threatened to start pulling dues card and said he was sure there was a paper shredder some where in the hotel.  

I am now an "Honorary Medical Mason".     After the banquet a Chapter from Chicago portrayed the "Medical Mason" degree.   This degree is not a entertainment degree.   It comes from the College of Rites and has not been portrayed in over 100 years.   Originally it was conferred on doctors, surgeons and pharmacists.   The degree takes about 30 minutes and you receive a nice certificate and a pill box.

All in all the trip was quite pleasurable.   Meet some nice uneventfull drive, meet some nice people, had good food and got another degree.   There is not much more a Mason could ask for.

'til the next time.