WZ 100 S864K 1897 56231000R NLH D5ET7fiMtD 5 NLM052978465 JHER /oo /837 T a Special Rendezvous of Philadelphia Consistory, Sublime Princes of the Royal Secret, 32°, of the Ancient Ac cepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, held in Masonic Temple, Philadelphia, Pa., on the 15th day of the Hebrew month Sivan, 5657, corresponding to Tuesday, June 15,1897, the Illustrious Commander-in-Chief, Amos Harrison Hall, 33°, an* nounced the death of Sov. Grand Inspector General, Anthony Eugene Stocker, M. D„ 33°, Deputy for the State and District of Pennsylvania, and stated that he had requested Past Illustrious Commander-in-Chief, George W. Kendrick, Jr., 33°, to prepare and submit a suitable minute to be read at the meeting this evening, and called upon 111. Bro. Kendrick, who responded as follows: 2 Hn (IDemoriam Hntbon\> Eugene Stacker, fll>. 2)., 33° Death, the "Great Leveller" that "levels all rank," has once more entered among us and called from the lines one of our best and noblest, a loving spirit under whose watchful guidance and direction we have marched for many years. He has severed one more link that bound a creature to his Creator, by freeing a soul from his earthly fetters carried so honorably, to enjoy the everlasting peace and rest of the life eternal. But surely the poet must have entertained a wrong conception, when he speaks of Death as the "Great Leveller." It is true that it is a point in the pilgrimage of life towards which we all are journeying and therein is common to all, but it is difficult by any process of thought, to look on Death as in any way changing the position in this world that was acquired by the person chosen. Rather may we look on "This life of mortal breath is but the en- trance to the life Elysian, ,.-j ;. Whose portals we call death." The rank, the pomp, the power enjoyed by the Brother who has passed through the portal is severed from him, but the sum of reminiscences of his life and conduct and action remain. The forces that he, while in life set in operation, and for which his earthy hon- 3 ors were conferred, continue and will continue to effect among those remaining, the purposes and ob- jects for which he originated them, and especially is this true when the forces set in motion operated on organic bodies. While our late Deputy, Brother Anthony E. Stock- er, has left no cloud competing monuments, no volumi- nous page written in blood or broken vows in the pol- itical history of his country, he had for the last fifty years of a life ever devoted to his present duty, as God had given him power to see that duty, estab- lished among his acquaintances, most of whom were friends, for to know him was to love him, a firm con- viction in their minds of the possibility of leading a firm steadfast Christian life, bearing patiently the every day burdens that befell him. But Dr. Stocker did more than this. His greatest work lay more in the direction of pure Masonic teaching. Endowed by the Supreme Council of the 33° with almost unlimited power within the scope of this or- ganization, his power was not only increased, but adorned by the display of the private life on which it hung. Truly may it be said of him, that the man was an ornament to the honors, not the honors to the man. The parable of the talents in Holy Writ, is intended to inculcate in our minds the lesson that greater power entails greater responsibility, greater opportunity to do good, but the corollary to the proposition that is based on the weakness of human nature, is that the man with greater power has greater opportunities to abuse the power granted him. It needs a stronger and steadier head and hand to govern many justly as well as wisely. And the trust imposed in our late Deputy, Brother Anthony E. Stocker, was not mis- 4 placed. For the last thirty-six years, since May 18th, 1861, he has with moderation and toleration, with wisdom and strength, supervised the growth of our organization in this State; and though the setting sun of his life, fading away gradually in the mellow light of evening, decreased slowly in strength, yet was it sufficient to discern all the dangers to be avoided, all the advantages to be gained, because he had in early years, when the strength of his life was bright, used the fleeting moments of time to prepare us for the future. He ever had an eye single to the interests of our Order, and his life, private and official, was a splendid exemplification of the principles taught from the first to the thirty-third degrees. And his work complete as to him, rounded like his life on every side, is not yet concluded. Each and every one of us who have been under his guidance, is a living monu- ment of the lesson taught by his life. Each and every one of us who have listened to him, who have felt the power of his wisdom in governing, must realize that while we live, while the springs of virtue which he found in us continue to flow pure and clear, that we are acting under impulses whose source lay in him. And it is for this reason, I say, that Death is not a Leveller. The monument of his character and ex- ample will stand for years pointing to the Heavens, and a spot where we under its shadow, may cool our- selves from the glare and heat of mundane weak- nesses. It is unnecessary for me to remind any one of his many great attributes. It is unnecessary for me to point to the lesson of his life. We all must know them, we all must see it. But Companions, it might be wise for us to notice the long duration of Dr. Stocker's service, had he lived until June 9th, he 5 would have completed a full half-century of Masonic life, equivalent to the full life of many men who have seared and seamed their biographies on the pages of the world's history. And in that fifty years, it is pleasant to picture in the mind's eye the many acts of benevolence and virtue that he must have committed. As Shirley said: "When our souls shall leave this dwelling, The glory of one fair virtuous action Is above all the scutcheons on our tomb, Or silken banners over us." Bro. Stocker was born on Prune Street, now Locust, above Fourth, March 5th, 1819. His education was acquired in the public schools, after which he entered the University of Pennsylvania as a medical student. In a short time after graduating in 1840, Bro. Stocker built up a large practice. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Bro. Stocker entered the army as a surgeon. He was first appointed on General Meade's staff, and served in many conflicts. It is related that at the battle of Turkey Bend a ball struck and seriously wounded General Meade. Bro. Stocker, who was close at hand, reached the General as he fell. Plac- ing him on his horse he carried him to a place of safety, despite the protestations of the wounded officer, who wanted to be left there, so great was the pain he suf- fered. Ever after that General Meade credited Bro. Stocker with having saved his life. At the battle of City Cross Roads, Bro. Stocker was seriously wounded, but in a few weeks he was again in the field. At the close of the war he resumed his practice, and for a number of years was actively engaged in his professional duties. He was for many years a surgeon at the Pennsylvania Hospital and the Blind Asylum. 6 He was initiated into Franklin Lodge, No. 134, F. & A. M., . . June 9th, 1847 Received the Fellow-Craft Degree, July 10th, " " Master Mason " Sept. nth, " Was Junior Warden in ..... 1849 " Senior " ..... l85o " Worshipful Master in . . . . 1851 " Secretary from . . . 1854 to i860 inclusive. He received the Mark Degree in Girard Mark Lodge, No. 214 . . Dec. 14th, 1847 Served as Senior Warden in . . . 1850 Resigned Dec. 10th, 1850. He received the Degrees of Most Excellent Master and the Royal Arch in Columbia R. A. Chapter, No. 91............ Jan. 19th, 1848 Resigned to become a Charter Mem- ber of Philadelphia R. A. Chap- ter, No. 169,......... Jan. 16th, 1850 Admitted as a Charter Member of Philadelphia R. A. Chapter, No. 169,............. May 18th, 1850 Served as King in........ 1851 " High Priest in..... 1852 " Gd. Master of 3d Veil in the Grand Chapter,...... 1852 and 1853 Served as Gd. Principal Sojourner in the Grand Chapter, in . . . 1854 He was Knighted in St. John's Com- mandery, No. 4, K. T., .... May 26th, 1848 Resigned May 25th, 1849. Charter Member of Philadelphia Commandery, No. 5 (now No. 2) May 26th, 1849 Elected Generalissimo...... May 26th, 1849 " Eminent Commander . . June 14th, 1850 " Treasurer ....... June 13th, 1851 " Recorder . . June nth, 1852 to June, 1859 He was Senior Past Master, Senior Past High Priest and Senior Past Commander in each of these Bodies respectively. A Convention of Knights Templar met in Philadel- 7 phia on May ioth, 1854, and organized a Grand En- campment for the State of Pennsylvania, under authority of the R. W. Grand Lodge of F. & A. M., representatives being present from Commanderies Nos. 4, 5, 6 and 7, thus making two Grand Commanderies in the State, one in the western part, working under authority of the Grand encampment of K. T. of the United States, and one in the eastern end working under warrant from the Grand Lodge. Brother Stock- er was largely instrumental in forming the latter body, and was elected Grand Generalissimo June 16th, 1854, and re-elected June 8th, 1855, and Grand Master (Grand Commander), June 13th, 1856. These two Grand Commanderies formed a union on February 12th, 1857, and have continued as such until the present, Brother Stocker ranking as a Past Grand Commander. He was Senior Past Grand Commander. ANCIENT ACCEPTED SCOTTISH RITE. He received the grades from the 40 to 160 May 13th, 1857, and from the 170 to 320, May 14th, 1857, in Boston, Mass. and he was crowned a 330 and made an Active member of the Supreme Council, May 16th, 1861, and Deputy for Pennsylvania, May 18th, 1861, serving until the day of his death. He was a Charter Member of Philadelphia Lodge of Perfection 140, De Joinville Council, P. of J., 160, Kilwinning Chapter of Rose Croix, 180, and Philadel- phia Consistory, S. P. R. S., 320, and served as Thrice Potent Grand Master of the former Body and Illustrious Commander-in-Chief of the latter Body. By virtue of his being Deputy, he has presided at every meeting of Pennsylvania Council of Deliber- ation from 1867 to 1896, inclusive, and was a member of the Masonic Veterans' Association of Pennsylvania. 8 He was a member of the Society of the Cincinnati, Military Order of the Loyal Legion, and Grand Army of the Republic. Bro. Stocker died at his residence, 2212 Fitzwater Street, Philadelphia, on Sunday, May 23, 1897, aged 78. He had been in poor health for a long time, and for a month was confined to his room. He was buried on Wednesday, May 26th, 1897, with Masonic ceremonies by the Franklin Lodge of which he was a member. The contemplation of such a life is an inspiration to those surviving. A beacon on the road of life show- ing the path to the only true happiness, that is not temporal and cannot be annihilated by the devouring blows of time. It is an honor to have served under such a leader and the service made duty a pleasure. But the only true crown that we can place upon his brow, is the circle of imitation, where we emulate one another in perpetuating the virtues we have learned from him. The responsibility is ours, and I believe the strength he engendered in us will give us power to carry that re- sponsibility safely as we will gladly. The death of those distinguished by their station, But by their virtue more, awakes the mind To solemn dread, and strikes a saddening awe. Not that we grieve for them, but for ourselves, Left to the toil of life. On motion, it was Resolved, that the minute be adopt- ed, and the Illustrious Grand Secretary authorized to print 1200 copies, together with copies of the tele- grams and letters received by him since the death of 111. Bro. Stocker. 9 r Supreme Council of Sov.-. Gr.\ Ins.-. Gen.-. 330 A.-. A.-. s.\ R.\ Northern Masonic Jurisdiction, U. S. of A.—District of Pennsylvania. Orient of Philadelphia, May 24, 1897. SORROW! SORROW! SORROW! III. and Dear Brother: It becomes my sad and painful duty to announce to you the death of ifll. Bro. Bntbon^ Eugene Stocfeer, /n>. H>., 33° Deputy for the State and District of Pennsylvania for the past thirty-six years, who died at his home in this city, on Sunday morning, 23d inst., aged 78 years, 2 months and 18 days. Bro. Stocker's health has been greatly impaired for some time, so much so, that in July last finding it impossible for him to give the necessary supervision of the Rite in this District, he availed himself of the authority given in Article XXXVI, Section 7, of the Constitution, Rules and Regulations of the Supreme Council, and divided the District into three divisions, and commissioned three Sovereign Grand Inspectors-General as Vice-Deputies, and as- signed each of them to a division. He never regained his health, though at times he appeared to be better, but it was only of short duration, and about four weeks ago he was compelled to take to his bed, and gradually grew worse; for the past ten days he has been in a comatose condition and unable to see any one but the immediate members of his family. He passed away peacefully and without apparent pain. He was a Past Master of Franklin Lodge, No. 134, F. & A. M.; Past High Priest of Philadelphia Chapter, No. 169, R. A. M.; Past Eminent Commander of Philadelphia Commandery, No. 2, K. T.; Past Commander-in-Chief of Philadelphia Consistory, 320, , A. A. S. R., and a Past Grand Commander of the Grand Com- mandery of K. T. of Pennsylvania. Funeral services will be held in St. James the Less P. E. Church, on Wednesday afternoon, 26th inst., at 3 o'clock, con- ducted by Franklin Lodge, No. 134, F. & A. M. Yours fraternally, FRANK M. HIGHLEY, 33°, Sov. Grand Inspector-General, Vice-Deputy for the Counties of Philadelphia, Dauphin and Lancaster. 10 Copy of a telegram received from Henrv L Palmer, 330, Most Puissant Sovereign Grand Commander. Milwaukee, Wis., May 24, 1897. Frank M. Highley, 120 So. 3d St., Philadelphia. Regret that I am unable to be at Dr. Stocker's funeral. Have wired Buchanan. Henry L Palmer. Other telegrams were received as follows: Pittsburg, Pa., May 23, 1897. Frank M. Highley, Philadelphia. Message received, grieved to hear of our dear old friend Dr. Stocker's death. I will leave for Philadelphia on Tuesday morn- ing, and stop at "Stratford." Please send me any further par- ticulars there. James Isaac Buchanan. Pittsburgh, Pa., May 24, 1897. Frank M. Highley, 120 So. 3d St., Philadelphia. The members of Pennsylvania Consistory and the other bod- ies of the Rite in the valley of Pittsburg, to whom Dr. Stocker had endeared himself by his constant kindness and unwavering thoughtfulness, have heard with intense sorrow of his death. Please extend to the members of his family our sincere condolence. John Edgar Haines, Grand Secretary. Cincinnati, Ohio, May 24, 1897. Frank M. Highley, Philadelphia. The Cincinnati Scottish Rite Bodies mourn with you the death of Doctor Stocker. Bro. Carson is very ill. William B. Melish, Illustrious Commander-in-Chief. Detroit, Mich., May 25, 1897. Frank M. Highley, Sovereign Grand Inspector-General, Philadelphia. Please convey to the family of Illustrious Anthony E. Stock- er our heartfelt sympathy in their great sorrow. D. Burnham Tracy, Ozias W. Shipman. 11 Pittsburg, Pa., May 24, 1897- Frank M. Highley, 120 So. 2d St., Phila. Grand Commander Palmer wires me to do whatever is prop- er in connection with Dr. Stocker's funeral next Wednesday; im- possible for him to be there. Will you please give attention to this, will be at "Stratford" to-morrow evening. James Isaac Buchanan. Pittsburg, Pa., May 24, 1897- Frank M. Highley, Philadelphia. Please have a floral emblem made and send to the residence of our late Deputy, on behalf of bodies in Valley of Pittsburg. John Edgar Haines, Grand Secretary. The following letters were received : Binghamton, N. Y., May 25, 1897. Frank M. Highley, 330, Vice Deputy, etc., 120 So. 3d St., Phila., Pa. 111. Sir and Dear Bro. I am in receipt of your telegram and circular announcing the death on the 23d inst. of 111. Bro. Stocker, 330, Deputy for Penna., and his funeral on the 26th inst., at 3 P. M. I exceedingly regret that I shall not be able to be present to participate with the Brethren in paying this last tribute of respect to the memory of one that we all loved and respected, and none will miss his kind and genial presence more than the few remain- ing members of the Supreme Council, that since the union in 1867 have enjoyed his friendship, and learned to love him and respect him for his sterling worth and unfailing devotion to our beloved Rite. Express to his family and all the brethren my sincere condo- lence in this, our common bereavement. Yours in the sacred members, Clinton F. Paige, 330, Gr. Sec. General. 12 ^-rriJKEKfflBSRWIWIKi Portland, Me., May 24, 1897- Frank M Highley, Esq. Dear Brother Highley: I have your telegram announcing the death of Illustrious Brother Stocker. I had heard a few days ago that he was very ill, and the news of his death does not therefore take me by sur- prise. I thank you most heartily for giving me the information, and I regret very greatly that my engagements here will not allow me to be present at his funeral. I have had so great a respect and affection for Brother Stock- er for so many years, that my inability to attend his funeral, as a mark of that respect and affection, is a great sorrow to me. The "Old Guard" are going very fast. If you will look at the list of active members in our last proceedings you will see that three of the first six names will appear there no longer. Brothers Stocker, McClenachan and Dean, after a service of thirty-five years or more, have laid down their Masonic labors with their lives. Brother Dean has not met with us much of late on account of his physical infirmity, but I can scarcely picture to myself a meeting of the Supreme Council without Brothers Stocker and McClenachan making a part of it. As I am writing from the office, where I do not have your ad- dress, I send this to the Temple. Again thanking you for your fraternal courtesy, I remain, as ever, Yours fraternally, Josiah H. Drummond. Detroit, Mich., May 27th, 1897. Frank M. Highley, Illustrious Prince and Brother: I have your notice of the death of my personal friend, 111. Prince and Brother, Anthony E. Stocker. Words fail me to express my sorrow for his loss. Since first we met we have been friends. At every meeting of the Supreme Council when I have been able to be present, we have found time to get away alone for a quiet talk together, and to me it was a feature of the Supreme Council; this quiet little time for soul com- munion together, 1 loved him so dearly. My friends are going so fast that it makes me feel lonely indeed. I sympathize with you and your Fraters, still I believe that "our loss is his gain." Please accept my assurance of my high personal regard, and believe me Very truly yours, F. A. Blades. 13 ?A&wximw3m&'i2nm3®xri :^;ra:sKiBMSMiTOTC^w^^ , -Mtf&SieMMKiWBiSrt Pittsburg, Pa., May 25, 1897- Illustrious and Dear Brother: It was with sincerest sorrow that I received your announce- ment of the death of Illustrious Brother Anthony E. Stocker. His long and faithful service to the Rite, earned for him the gratitude and affection of all the brethren, and his death will be a great loss to us all. I am sorry that my engagements make it impossible for me to go to Philadelphia and join with the Brethren there in the last tribute of respect to his memory. Fraternally yours, Geo. W. Guthrie. Frank M. Highley, Esq. Valley of Chicago, 111., May 24, 1897. Dear Bro. Highley: Your telegram of the death of dear Bro. Dr. Anthony Eugene Stocker pains me very much. I wish it were possible to be with you on Wednesday next, to pay the last sad tribute to his mem- ory. On that night I am to officially visit Quincy Chapter Rose Croix ; and leave for there to-morrow. Enclosed is a sprig of Acacia from the land of King Hiram of Tyre, the Lebanon Mountains. I am afraid the leaves will all be off, but put them on his breast as my last tribute to his worth. Courteously yours, John C. Smith. Camden, N. J., May 25, 1897- Frank M. Highley, 330, Vice-Deputy Sup. Council. Dear Sir and 111. Brother: Yours informing me of the death of our Illustrious Brother Anthony Eugene Stocker, M. D., 330, received with deep sor- row. Please convey to the family of our deceased Brother and to the Fraternity, my deepest sympathy. Truly and Fraternally, Andrew B. Frazee, 330, Deputy for New Jersey. 14 ., „ Valley of Chicago, 111., May 26, 1807. Mr. Frank M. Highley, " Philadelphia, Pa. Dear Sir and Brother: The General showed me the wire about the death of our dear old Frater, and I am to-dav in receipt of your Balluster giving de- tails. While it was expected, yet there is the shock of the final blow, which is becoming more and more solemn in its tone to me each year. When I look at the list of 1891, when I was Crowned an Active, and see my name at the bottom, and now see it halfway up the line to the top, it seems as if I did indeed stand in the very shadow of death. With personal regards, Courteously yours, Gil. W. Barnard. Cleveland, O., May 27, 1897. Frank M. Highley, Philadelphia, Pa. My Dear Frank: Although not wholly unexpected, the news of the death of Illustrious Brother Stocker was a shock to me. He was one of the few members of the Supreme Council who I considered as among my most intimate friends, and who was always in accord with me upon all questions of importance. The promptness with which you have sent out notices is cer- tainly commendable. Since receiving your notice, I have received official notice of the death of Brother Benjamin Dean, of Boston. Yours fraternally, Brenton D. Babcock. Orient of St. Louis, Mo., May 27, 1897. Frank M. Highley, Esq., 330, Philadelphia. My Dear Sir and Ills. Brother: Returning home this morning, I find under date of the 24th your announcement of the death of Ills. Brother Stocker. It is very sad to see our old friends dropping away, one by one, but when I saw Bro. Stocker in Pittsburg, where I met him at the Convocation, his appearance was such that I felt that we would not long have him with us. I join with you and his near friends in sorrow over his removal. Fraternally and sincerely, Martin Collins, 330. 15 fwmiiesayr.ra New York, May 25th, 1897. Dear Bro. Highley: Your telegram announcing the death of Dr. Stocker, just re- ceived. I have been very sick for the past week, and though now far from well, returned to the office this morning. I am glad I did so, for I will at once send telegrams to the Ac- tives in New York, R. I., Mass., and Conn. Fraternally yours, Joseph P. Abel. Cincinnati, O., May 24, 1897. Frank M. Highley, Esq., 330, Masonic Temple, Philadelphia, Pa. My dear Bro. Highley: I am just in receipt of your telegram sent to Mr. Enoch T. Carson, announcing the death of Dr. Anthony E. Stocker. I have telegraphed you our sorrow at the loss of our dear Brother, who was known to many of us by reason of his long years of ac- tivity in the Scottish Rite in your City and State. I regret to say that our Deputy, Bro. Carson, is seriously ill. Mr. Carson had a stroke of paralysis a few weeks ago, and does not seem to gain strength as we had hoped he would. Fraternally yours, Wm. B. Melish, 330, 111. Commander-in-Chief. Brooksville, Ky., June 2, 1897. Frank M. Highley, 330, Philadelphia, Pa. Ill, and Dear Brother: Your circular letter announcing the death of Illustrious Brother, Anthony Eugene Stocker, M. D., 330, came to hand in due time. I am pained to learn that our dear Brother has passed from our sight, but I rejoice to believe that what is our loss is his eternal gain. I had the pleasure of meeting him once only, in the City of Cincinnati, during one of the February reunions. It was a very agreeable and pleasant meeting, and I was delighted with the dear old man, and have had a very high estimate of his character ever since that meeting. No doubt he will be greatly missed by his Pennsylvania brethren, who, I am sure, must delighted to have loved and honored him. His death is only a reminder that we are all passing that way, and the better thing to do is to be ready, as I hope he was, to go when we are called for. With best wishes, and kindest regards, I am, Truly and fraternally yours, James W. Staton, 330. 16 Philadelphia, Mav 24, 1897. Frank M. Highley, Esq. My dear friend: 1 regret exceedingly that another and important engagement will prevent my attendance at Brother Stocker's funeral on Wednesday. Fraternally and truly yours, John Sartain. Phoenixville, Pa., May 25, 1897. 111. Dear Bro. Highley, 330: I have your memorial announcing the death of our dear Brother Stocker. While we have noticed his strength failing and anticipated his early departure from the realm of human activity; yet we sorrow that he is gone and must ever miss his kindly greeting, courtly bearing and true fraternal spirit, that has add- ed so much to the pleasure of our Annual Councils of Deliber- ation. I regret that I cannot assemble with you and the Brethren on Wednesday afternoon in the funeral services, but 1 am only con- valescing from an attack of acute asthma, and am house-fast yet. Yours fraternally, Vosburgh N. Shaffer, 330. Erie, Pa., May 25, 1897. To Frank M. Highley, 330, Sov. Gr. Ins. Gen., Vice-Deputy, &c. Illustrious and Dear Brother: Your circular of yesterday announcing the death of Illustrious Brother Anthony Eugene Stocker, M. D., 330, just received. Word was received yesterday of his death. To know him was to love and respect him. It always was a pleasure to meet him, and all of us are better for having had him with us. I received the reports of the past two years of the Grand Council of Deliberation, a few days ago. Should have acknowl- edged receipt of same before this, please pardon, and believe me to be Yours fraternally, Wm. Himrod, 330. Harrisburg, Pa., May 28, 1897. 111. Bro. Highley: I was very sorry to hear of the death of our dear Bro. Stock- er. I regret very much that I could not attend the funeral ser- vices. Fraternally yours, Peter K. Sprenkel, 33°. 17 Bloomsburg, Pa., May 25, 1897. Frank M. Highley, Esq., 33°, Vice-Deputy. 111. and Dear Brother: I am in receipt of your letter of 24th, containing the sad news of the death of 111. Bro. Stocker, 330. I am shocked at the sud- denness, and indeed profoundly sorry. His loss will be deeply felt, and I tender my sincere condolence. Fraternally yours, H. A. McKillip, 33°- Coudersport, Pa., May 26, 1897. Mr. F. M. Highley, Philadelphia, Pa. My Dear Sir: I have just learned with sincere sorrow and regret of the death of Dr. Stocker. While of course this was not entirely un- expected after having talked with you on the subject, yet we all here sincerely mourn our loss. With best wishes for yourself, I am, Very truly yours, James L. Knox. r8 'Awm*