DELAWARE CONSISTORY, 32°

In the 1912 Proceedings of the Supreme Council is a report by IllˆBarton Smith, 33°, Sovereign Grand Commander: "On January 30, 1912, upon petition signed by IllˆHarry Jones Guthrie, 33°, and thirty-three Sublime Princes, 32°, residents of that jurisdiction and upon the recommendation of the Illustrious Deputy for the State and District of Delaware, I ordered dispensation to be issued, authorizing the officers and others who may be hereafter associated with them, to open and hold a consistory of sublime Princes of the Royal Secret, 32°, of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, in the Valley and City of Wilmington, in the District of Delaware, to be known as Delaware Consistory, and designated the first three officers thereof as follows:

The first Rendezvous of Delaware Consistory (U.D.) was held on March 20, 1912, in the Masonic Temple, Wilmington. The dispensation was read by IllˆHarry J. Guthrie, 33°, and the Consistory opened in full ceremonial form. Ninety-six candidates were elected and the Consistory was called from labor to refreshment until the following day.

Upon reconvening on March 21^st, IllˆAmos H. Hall, 33°, Past Commander-in-Chief of Philadelphia Consistory, outlined and communicated the 19° to 31° inclusive upon ninety-four of the candidates. The first section of the old 20° was conferred in full ceremonial form by Brethren from Reading Consistory, with IllˆAdam H. Schmehl, 33°, presiding and playing the role of the Duke of Holstein-Beck. The second section was conferred by Brethren from Philadelphia Consistory, with IllˆJ. Henry Williams, 33°, presiding and portraying Frederic II, King of Prussia. Music was provided by the Temple Quartette of Philadelphia..

Among the distinguished visitors were: IllˆJames H. Codding, 33°, Grand Secretary General and Deputy for Delaware, IllˆRobert A. Shireffs, 33°, Deputy for New Jersey, IllˆStephen Smith, 33°, Active Member for New Jersey, IllˆGeorge W. Kendrick, Jr., 33°, Active Member for Pennsylvania, IllˆA. G. Criswell Smith, 33°, Commander-in-Chief of Philadelphia Consistory, IllˆJoseph Ashton, Jr., 33°, Commander-in-Chief of Trenton Consistory, IllˆClark E. Diehl, 33°, Commander-in-Chief of Harrisburg Consistory. Instructive and entertaining addresses were given by several of the distinguished visitors and the Consistory was called from labor to refreshment until the following day.

Upon reconvening on March 22^nd, the ninety-four candidates received the 21° in full ceremonial form through the courtesy of the Brethren of Trenton Consistory, with IllˆDavid H. Lukens, 33°, presiding and portraying the role of the Count of Westphalia. Music by the Rose Croix Octette of Trenton provided a perfect background for the work. IllˆJoseph Ashton, Jr., 33°, conferred the 32° in ample form, which was followed by several short addresses from the distinguished visitors.

On June 7, 1912, IllˆBrother Guthrie accompanied by Brothers Fisher and Hough presented in Trenton Consistory a handsome Loving Cup "for the excellent conferring of the 21°." We understand that it is still being used in the presentation of the 14°.

The Charter for Delaware Consistory was granted on October 3, 1912, and the Ceremonies of Constitution were held in the afternoon of April 29, 1913, in the Masonic Temple, Wilmington, with the following representatives of the Supreme Council:

In the evening labor was resumed and IllˆBrother Guthrie conferred the 19° to 32° on one hundred and three of the candidates. The 21° was enacted in full ceremonial form by a cast from our own Consistory. Music was also furnished by our own Scottish Rite Quartette. At the close of the degree work, IllˆBrother Guthrie presented a 33° jewel, a gift of the Scottish Rite Bodies of Delaware, to IllˆGeorge M. Fisher, 33°, in appreciation for the assistance rendered in constituting the four Scottish Rite Bodies of Delaware. Work was suspended until April 30.

In the afternoon, April 30, labor was resumed in the Auditorium of the Hotel duPont. The one hundred and three candidates received the 27° in full ceremonial form by a cast of Brethren from Trenton Consistory, under the direction of their Commander-in-Chief, IllˆJoseph Ashton, Jr., 33°. The 32° was conferred in ample form by IllˆBrother Guthrie. The Grand Master of Masons in Delaware, Most Worshipful Edward G. Walls, a member of the Class, spoke warmly of the work and its presentation. Brother Walter W. Bacon, 32°, Grand High Priest of the Grand Chapter of Delaware and Brother J. Bayard Hearn, 32°, Eminent Commander of St. John's Commandery, No. 1, Wilmington , contributed complimentary remarks. A sumptuous banquet in the Masonic Temple, with entertainment by the Rose Croix Octette of Trenton and our own Scottish Rite Quartette, closed the activities.

The ceremonies constituting Delaware Consistory were over. It had been a glorious two days of hard work. The presence of so many distinguished Brethren added immensely to the dignity of the transactions. Many new friends were made and a nobler and richer fraternal fellowship enriched the lives of all. The assistance of the Brethren from Trenton and Philadelphia will never be forgotten. Ahead of each Sublime Prince of the Scottish Rite Bodies of Delaware was a future bright with promise, a challenge.

IllˆCharles E. Green, 33°, MSA
From "A History of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry in the State of Delaware"